Ariz. Admin. Code § 14-5-106

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 25, June 21, 2024

Section R14-5-106 - Minimum Standards for Cabooses

A. Each railroad operating wholly or partially within the state of Arizona shall hereafter install and maintain minimum standards on cabooses in accordance with this Section.

B. No caboose shall be used in service unless it complies with subsections (C) through (R) of this Section.

C. Construction: Cabooses shall be of either the cupola or bay window type. Cabooses of metal construction shall have wooden or insulated metal floors. A cupola shall not extend inward toward the centerline of the car more than 3 inches from either side of the caboose.

D. Trucks: Trucks shall provide riding qualities at least equal to those of freight type trucks modified with elliptic or additional coil springs or other means of equal or greater efficiency and shall be equipped with steel wheels.

E. Draft gears: Draft gears shall have a minimum travel of 2 1/2 inches and a minimum capacity of 18,000 foot pounds. Draft gears shall be of rubber or a combination of friction and rubber types, or shall have other means of providing equal shock control.

F. Lighting: An adjustable, shielded electric light, or lights, shall be provided for the direct illumination of the caboose desk. A ceiling or wall light, or lights, operable from separate switches shall be provided to otherwise illuminate the caboose interior. The area of the drinking water and lavatory facilities shall be illuminated. The caboose marker, or markers, shall be electrically lighted.

G. Heating: A heating facility shall be maintained and shall be capable of providing a temperature of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit in a standard caboose.

H. Seats and cushions: Seats and cushions shall be provided with a shock absorbent material initially at least 3 inches in thickness, and backrests shall be of sufficient height to protect the neck and head from injuries. Seats in cupolas shall be of the pullman type and those in bays shall be of the passenger reversible type. The top of said seats shall not be lower than 11 inches nor higher than 9 inches beneath the cupola or bay window sills and no more than 18 inches above the floor or foot-rest. The backrests shall incline backward to not less than 3 inches nor more than 5 inches from the perpendicular. Subject to the approval of the Commission, seats of different design or materials may be used when such design or materials provide equal or better protection or comfort than those enumerated in this Section.

I. Bunks: Each caboose shall have at least one bunk of not less than 2 feet in width and not less than 6 feet in length which shall be provided with a cushion of the same dimensions made of shock absorbent material initially of at least 3 inches in thickness.

J. Wind deflector: Each cupola side window shall be equipped with a wind deflector.

K. Weatherstripping: Weatherstripping or weatherproof sash shall be installed and maintained at all windows and doors to protect against weather and the seepage of dirt or dust.

L. Window shades: With the exception of windows in bays and cupolas, windows shall be equipped with shades.

M. Stanchions: Stanchions, grab handles, or bars shall be installed at entrances and exits and at other locations within convenient reach of employees moving about the caboose while a train is in motion.

N. Drinking water: Caboose drinking water facilities shall be installed and maintained so as to provide fresh and pure drinking water. Such water facilities shall include individual bottled water containers placed in an ice chest. When ice is used for water cooling purposes, the containers shall be so arranged that the drinking water will not come in contact with the ice. Containers used for storing or dispensing potable water shall be kept clean at all times and shall be subjected to effective bactericidal treatment as often as may be necessary to prevent the contamination of the water so stored and dispensed.

O. Lavatory facilities: Caboose lavatory facilities for washing shall be provided at a location where the use thereof will not result in contamination of the drinking water dispensing system. All cabooses shall have operative toilets which are illuminated, are kept clean and free of noxious odors at all times, and are subjected to effective bactericidal treatment as often as may be necessary.

P. Fire extinguisher: Cabooses used in road service shall be equipped with an effective means of extinguishing minor fires. Such extinguishing agents shall be placed in a readily accessible location and shall be effectively maintained.

Q. First-aid kit: Each caboose shall carry, in a visible and readily accessible place, a plainly marked first-aid kit which shall be so constructed that it and its entire contents are readily removable. The kit shall consist of materials, approved by the railroad's consulting physician, in a weatherproof container with individually sealed packages for each type item. The contents shall be inspected weekly to ensure that expended items are replaced.

R. Maintenance and supplies: Cabooses shall be supplied with fresh water, paper towels, toilet tissue, sanitary drinking cups, fuel, ice as needed, hand soap or other cleaning agents in appropriate dispensers and such other equipment as may be required for service.

S. Conditions arising after departure from terminal: In the event of a failure of required equipment or standards of maintenance occurs in a caboose after it has commenced a move in service, the railroad operating that caboose shall not be deemed in violation of this Section if said failure of equipment or standards of maintenance is corrected at the first point at which maintenance supplies are available, or, in the case of repairs, the first point at which materials and repair facilities are available and repairs can reasonably be made.

T. Exemption: If, in any particular case, an exemption from any of the requirements of this Section is deemed necessary by a carrier concerned, the Commission will consider the application of such carrier for such exemption when accompanied by a full statement of the conditions existing and the reason why such exemption is needed. Any exemption so granted will be limited to the particular case covered by the application.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R14-5-106

Former General Order R-7; Former Section R14-5-407 renumbered as Section R14-5-106 effective September 30, 1982 (Supp. 82-5). Correction in heading effective April 16, 1986 (Supp. 86-2). Amended effective May 28, 1992 (Supp. 92-2).