NTSB Called For Ban on Riding Moving Railcars

The board issued safety recommendations after investigations revealed 14 fatalities since October 2020.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Unions

NTSB Called For Ban on Riding Moving Railcars

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Should federal regulators mandate stricter safety prohibitions for private railroad operations?

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended that railroads prohibit workers from riding on moving railcars during shoving movements. This follows a series of accidents where workers providing point protection were struck, pinned, or fell from equipment.

Why it matters

The recommendation aims to curb a recurring safety hazard that has resulted in significant loss of life among railroad employees. By calling for site-specific hazard assessments, the board hopes to modernize safety protocols for high-risk rail operations.

The NTSB has investigated 16 total accidents involving shoving movements since October 2020. These incidents resulted in 14 worker deaths and two serious injuries out of the total accidents recorded.

The players

National Transportation Safety Board

The NTSB is an independent federal agency charged by the United States government with investigating every civil aviation accident and significant accidents in other modes of transportation.

The details

A shoving movement involves a locomotive pushing railcars while a worker provides point protection from the lead position. The NTSB determined that workers in this role are at constant risk of falling, being pinned by equipment, or being struck during standard operations.

October 2020 marked the start of the period for the 16 investigated accidents.
The NTSB opened two additional accident investigations starting in August 2026.

Political Context

The NTSB recommendation marks a departure from established industry practices by seeking to ban a common, long-standing maneuver. This shift faces resistance from rail operators who argue that point protection is essential for operational efficiency in complex yards.

Workers in the rail industry may face immediate changes to their daily operational procedures and site safety requirements. These potential regulations could increase overhead costs for rail companies and influence future labor-management safety negotiations.

The takeaway

Railroad safety continues to be a high-stakes issue as federal regulators attempt to mitigate risks for frontline employees. Adopting site-specific hazard assessments may provide a critical buffer against the inherent dangers of rail yard maneuvers.