Ranking Members Larsen, Payne, Jr. Applaud Norfolk Southern’s Commitment to FRA Confidential Close Call Reporting System
WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ) applauded the announcement that Norfolk Southern will become the first Class I to join a pilot program of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Confidential Close Call Reporting System, which allows railroad employees to report close calls.
"Nearly a year ago, every Class I railroad committed to joining the Confidential Close Call Reporting System," Ranking Member Larsen said. “Yesterday, Norfolk Southern became the first to live up to this commitment by initiating a pilot program. This is an important initial step for safety, but we must do more. I urge all Class I railroads to live up to their commitment to help build a safer rail network by joining this important reporting system, and covering all rail workers and protecting communities.”
“I want to congratulate Norfolk Southern Railway for being the first Class I freight rail operator to join the FRA’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System,” Ranking Member Payne, Jr. said. “There has been an alarming increase in freight rail accidents per million miles in the last few years and participation in this system will lower that rate. I have been a strong supporter of the Confidential Close Call Reporting System because it allows employees to report potential safety hazards in freight rail operations confidentially and remove the fear of company discipline or other reprisals. Now, we need to encourage the other Class I freight rail companies, and Norfolk Southern to allow all company employees, to join the system so we can make freight rail operations safer for all freight rail employees nationwide.”
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