Norfolk Southern Corp. and unions, in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration, announced Monday their joint participation in an FRA Confidential Close Call Reporting System pilot program designed to enhance railroad safety.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division joined the railroad in the announcement.
Under the one-year pilot, covered NS employees can report safety concerns with the certainty that such reports will not result in discipline. A joint committee of NS and labor representatives, with FRA’s guidance, will identify and implement corrective actions to improve safety.
Participation in this C3RS pilot underscores NS, BLET, and SMART-TD’s shared belief that collaboration and transparency are foundational pillars of an effective safety program. Key goals of the C3RS pilot program include collecting currently unreported unsafe practices, behaviors, or situations; identifying and implementing corrective actions; and sharing general trends and statistics to enhance railroad safety.
Throughout the program, FRA will provide oversight, guidance, and support to the parties as they analyze safety data and work to effect positive change.
