RAILROAD YARD WORKERS

Job Definition:

Job Description:

• Perform a variety of activities such as coupling railcars and operating railroad track switches in railroad yard to facilitate the movement of rail cars within the yard.

Duties and Tasks:

• 1) Throws track switches to route cars to different sections of yard.
• 2) Receives oral or written instructions indicating which cars are to be switched and track assignments.
• 3) Raises lever to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
• 4) Opens and closes chute gates to load and unload cars.
• 5) Watches for and relays traffic signals to start and stop cars during shunting, using arm or lantern.
• 6) Signals engineer to start and stop engine.
• 7) Rides atop cars that have been shunted and turns handwheel to control speed or stop car at specified position.
• 8) Attaches cable to cars being hoisted by cable or chain in mines, quarries or industrial plants.

Activities:

• 1) Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• 2) Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• 3) Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• 4) Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• 5) Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Abilities:

• 1) Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• 2) Reaction Time — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
• 3) Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.
• 4) Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• 5) Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• 6) Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• 7) Response Orientation — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
• 8) Gross Body Equilibrium — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• 9) Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• 10) Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
• 11) Static Strength — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Knowledge

• Transportation — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.