PARTIES: Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes
TO s -
DISPUTE: Chicago and North Western Transportation Company











FINDINGS:

This Board, upon the whole record and all the evidence, finds and holds that the employes and the carrier involved, areresmectively employes and Carrierwithin the meaning of the Railway Labor Act as amended; and that the Soard-has jurisdiction over the dispute herein.


as a trackman at Carrier's West Chicago Yard, on Carrier's Illinois
Division. On September-2, 1983, while on his way to the work site
at the starting time of his assignment, claimant contends that he
was struck in the foot by a piece of rail which fell from its
storage place as he walked by. -

On September 7, 1983, claimant was instructed to attend a formal investigation on the charxea




16, 1983. A copy of the transcript.of the investigation has been
made a part of the record. Following the investigation, claimant
was assessed discipline of thirty days actual suspension, which
activated a ten-day deferred suspension.

In the investigation it was developed that the rail storage vile involved consisted of a number of pieces of rail resting to@e down in a single layer'uDOn some switch ties.


Ettdence was presented indicating that claimant sustained an injury to his foot when he attempted to walk over the pile of rail enroute to his assignment. There was also evidence presented that a clear path to the work site was available some fifteen feet from the rail pile. Claimant's contention that he was simply walking beside the rail pile and a rail fell onto his foot lacks 'plausibility.

General Rule "M" of Chrrier's General Regulations and Safety Rules Drovides:

        "'Employes must ezercip,care to prevent injury to themselves or others.


Based upon the evidence before us, the Hoard -does not find the discipline imposed 'to be arbitrary, capricious or in bad faith.

                        A W A A D


          Claim den-led.


                    Chairman, Neutral Member


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