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House approves measure requiring rail bridge walkways after safety debate
Summary
The House passed HB 296, a bill to require catwalks or comparable fall-protection measures for railroad workers on bridges and trestles, by a 44-21 vote after members cited OSHA data and personal experience to press for worker safety.
The Utah House voted 44-21 to pass HB 296, legislation aimed at protecting railroad workers by requiring walkways or equivalent fall-protection measures on bridges and trestles where employees may need to step down between cars or perform mid-route work.
Representative Wharton, sponsor, described photographs and accident reports showing hazardous conditions on viaducts and argued the change would be a minimal safety improvement for workers. "There is a major need," he told colleagues, citing the risk of stepping off trains onto trestles with no walkway.
Opponents cautioned about federal uniformity in railroad safety standards and urged coordination between OSHA and the Federal Railroad Administration; some members said the matter might be better addressed federally. Proponents responded that federal action had been slow and that state-level action would signal a safety priority to railroads.
Representative Anderson, a former railroader, urged support on grounds of practical experience and noted no fiscal note to the state. The House approved HB 296 and sent it to the Senate.
Next steps: HB 296 will go to the Senate; implementation details may require coordination with federal safety regulators and rail companies.
