6. Stop your bus between 15 and 50 feet before
railroad crossings. Look and listen in both directions for
trains. You should open the door if it improves your
ability to see or hear an approaching train. Before
crossing after a train has passed be sure there is not
another train coming in either direction on other tracks.
When it is safe to cross, drive the bus completely across
the crossing without changing gears. You do not have
to stop but must slowdown and carefully check for other
vehicles at the following locations:
At streetcar crossings
At railroad tracks used only for industrial
switching within a business district
Where a policeman or flagman is directing traffic
If a traffic signal shows green
At crossings marked “exempt crossing”
Adhere to the standards and procedures contained
in the Commercial Driver License (CDL) Handbook for
the state or states you operate in.
Transportation of Personnel
In an NMCB, the daily transporting of troops is
provided not only through the use of buses but also
through the use of cargo trucks equipped with side racks
and seats. The driver of a cargo truck is responsible for
the safety of all passengers and cargo and should adhere
to the same rules as outlined for bus operations.
Additional safety rules used when transporting
personnel in cargo trucks areas follows:
1. The number of passengers must not exceed the
number that can be seated.
2. Trucks used to transport personnel must be
equipped with a seating arrangement securely anchored,
have a rear endgate, a guardrail, and a safety strap. Steps
or ladders for loading and unloading must be provided
and used.
3. All tools and supplies must be stowed and
secured when transported with personnel.
4. Passengers must not ride with their arms or legs
outside of the truck body, in a standing position on the
body, or on running boards, or seated on side finders,
cabs, cab shields, or on top of a load.
5. No explosives, flammable materials, or toxic
substances may be transported in vehicles carrying
passengers.
6. The driver must ensure that all personnel are
seated, that the safety strap and rear endgates are in
place, and that the doors are closed before moving the
vehicle.
7. All personnel should load and unload from the
rear of the truck through the use of the steps or ladder.
Loading and unloading by climbing on the sides of a
cargo truck is dangerous, because a member may slip
and fall. Additionally, the weight of personnel causes
damage to the side racks.
NOTE: In the NCF, a common practice when
loading and unloading passengers is to have the driver
exit the cab and visually ensure that all personnel load
and unload safely through the use of steps or ladders and
ensure the required items are securely in place before
proceeding.
Prohibited Practices
Prohibited practices, when engaged in the
transporting of personnel, are as follows:
1. Avoid fueling with riders on board unless
absolutely necessary.
2. Do not talk to riders or engage in any other
distracting activities, while driving.
3. Do not tow or push a disabled bus with
passengers aboard, unless unsafe conditions exist. In
this case, do not discharge the passengers until the bus
has been towed or pushed to the nearest safe area.
TAXI DRIVER
The taxi service provides a method of transporting
personnel to medical appointments, jobsites, airports,
and areas directed by the transportation supervisor. The
dispatch office is normally the base station for taxi
service, and the communication to the taxi driver is
provided through the use of a radio.
When you are assigned taxi driver duties, the safety
of the passengers is your responsibility. You should
follow the same safety rules as outlined for hauling
personnel in buses and cargo trucks.
TIME CARDS
Time cards are a labor accounting system used to
record and measure the number of man-days that an
NMCB spends on various functions. In this system,
labor utilization data is collected daily in sufficient detail
to enable the Operations Department to compile the data
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