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Trimess
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
MY REQUEST FOR FANS IN THE OLD BUSES AS A SAFETY CONCERN REJECTED
That makes two suggestions and two bureaucratic excuses for not doing something properly.
Uh, a bus isn't outdoors, a bus is a vehicle with a dark interior surrounded by glass. It doesn't matter how "mild" the temperature is outside - even when it's 60 degrees the temperature inside a car or bus can top 110 degrees because of how the greenhouse effect works. Without airflow, that's far more stressful to the human body than it is for someone working outside in 90 degree weather where the air is at least constantly moving.
Hey I know, maybe they can hire an expensive Wellness Consultant to inform them of that!
You know, this flat out reeks of not having a safety culture.
Sure, there are maintenance people and MAX right-of-way folks who also have to work in the heat. Guess what? They don't have up to 50, 60 people directly depending on the ability of one person to safely do their job. If a MAX maintenance person (who is probably working in a protected block and with other workers) suffers heat exhaustion, no passengers are in danger (and MAX service is already stopped or at restricted speed anyways.)
If a bus Operator suffers heat exhaustion and passes out...well...let's just hope that they aren't driving on a bridge. We all remember the story of the Metro driver who was shot and the bus flew off the Aurora Bridge, killing several passengers (as well as the Operator). An Operator who passes out and loses control of the bus could very well do the same exact thing...
MAX maintenance personnel have water jugs on their trucks (I know, I've seen them) and mechanics working in a garage have access to rooms that are cool or have water. TriMet buses don't have water supplies - what if the Operator runs out of water? Are Supervisors going to bring water jugs to the buses? And what about the riders on the bus - what about THEIR safety? Wouldn't TriMet be liable if a bus full of passengers suffered heat stroke, and it was known that TriMet intentionally refused to purchase new buses even though it had federal funding available to do so, but chose instead to buy new MAX trains, WES, and give away money to the City of Portland Streetcar instead of air conditioned buses? It isn't as though riders have a choice to ride an A/C bus or not in most cases.
I guess when an Operator suffers heat stroke and passes out and when PASSENGERS die, is when TriMet will finally own up to their failures. A true safety culture predicts these situations, acts upon them and prevents danger from happening (or makes reasonable efforts to do such); instead of saying "we can't do this (out of convenience)" and then only acts after the incident.
4 comments:
Ya good idea Adri, I think if we hit a 100 degree day out here I am going to personally invite that Tommie+Harry to come out and ride with me!
Uh, a bus isn't outdoors, a bus is a vehicle with a dark interior surrounded by glass. It doesn't matter how "mild" the temperature is outside - even when it's 60 degrees the temperature inside a car or bus can top 110 degrees because of how the greenhouse effect works. Without airflow, that's far more stressful to the human body than it is for someone working outside in 90 degree weather where the air is at least constantly moving.
Hey I know, maybe they can hire an expensive Wellness Consultant to inform them of that!
"You should pick a route with newer equipment"
...........HAHAHAHAHAHA. Buy some first, them make that claim!
You know, this flat out reeks of not having a safety culture.
Sure, there are maintenance people and MAX right-of-way folks who also have to work in the heat. Guess what? They don't have up to 50, 60 people directly depending on the ability of one person to safely do their job. If a MAX maintenance person (who is probably working in a protected block and with other workers) suffers heat exhaustion, no passengers are in danger (and MAX service is already stopped or at restricted speed anyways.)
If a bus Operator suffers heat exhaustion and passes out...well...let's just hope that they aren't driving on a bridge. We all remember the story of the Metro driver who was shot and the bus flew off the Aurora Bridge, killing several passengers (as well as the Operator). An Operator who passes out and loses control of the bus could very well do the same exact thing...
MAX maintenance personnel have water jugs on their trucks (I know, I've seen them) and mechanics working in a garage have access to rooms that are cool or have water. TriMet buses don't have water supplies - what if the Operator runs out of water? Are Supervisors going to bring water jugs to the buses? And what about the riders on the bus - what about THEIR safety? Wouldn't TriMet be liable if a bus full of passengers suffered heat stroke, and it was known that TriMet intentionally refused to purchase new buses even though it had federal funding available to do so, but chose instead to buy new MAX trains, WES, and give away money to the City of Portland Streetcar instead of air conditioned buses? It isn't as though riders have a choice to ride an A/C bus or not in most cases.
I guess when an Operator suffers heat stroke and passes out and when PASSENGERS die, is when TriMet will finally own up to their failures. A true safety culture predicts these situations, acts upon them and prevents danger from happening (or makes reasonable efforts to do such); instead of saying "we can't do this (out of convenience)" and then only acts after the incident.
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