Will “Railroad Car Inspector” be Automated?

Core Skills & Abilities

• Determine cargo transportation capabilities by reading documents that set forth cargo loading and securing procedures, capacities, and stability factors.

• Measure heights and widths of loads to ensure they will pass over bridges or through tunnels on scheduled routes.

• Notify workers of any special treatment required for shipments.

• Post warning signs on vehicles containing explosives or flammable or radioactive materials.

• Inspect loaded cargo, cargo lashed to decks or in storage facilities, and cargo handling devices to determine compliance with health and safety regulations and need for maintenance.

• Check temperatures and humidities of shipping and storage areas to ensure that they are at appropriate levels to protect cargo.

• Inspect shipments to ensure that freight is securely braced and blocked.

• Record details about freight conditions, handling of freight, and any problems encountered.

• Advise crews in techniques of stowing dangerous and heavy cargo.

• Observe loading of freight to ensure that crews comply with procedures.

• Direct crews to reload freight or to insert additional bracing or packing as necessary.

• Read draft markings to determine depths of vessels in water.

• Calculate gross and net tonnage, hold capacities, volumes of stored fuel and water, cargo weights, and vessel stability factors, using mathematical formulas.

• Visually inspect cargo for damage upon arrival or discharge.

• Measure vessels' holds and depths of fuel and water in tanks, using sounding lines and tape measures.

• Recommend remedial procedures to correct any violations found during inspections.

• Prepare and submit reports after completion of freight shipments.