Shocked that 16 railroad employees were killed in on-duty accidents during 2009 -- eight of them UTU members -- Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo has issued a strong plea that all employees "think about rules compliance and consider its impact on ensuring a safe return home after each tour of duty."
Said Szabo, a former conductor and UTU's Illinois state legislative director prior to being chosen by President Obama as FRA administrator:
"Having spent 19 years on the ground myself, I -- like you -- understand the realities of railroading. My stomach still turns in knots each time I hear of an on-duty fatality. Let us each do everything we can to take care of ourselves and our coworkers. Zero fatalities is the only acceptable number, and its a number we can all live with."
Judy Gertler, for 26 years a railroad safety expert with the consulting firm Foster Miller, which holds FRA contracts for data collection and analysis, said of Szabo's plea, "This is the first time I have seen an FRA administrator send out anything like this regarding rules compliance."
Of the 16 rail workers killed in on-duty accidents in 2009 -- and one UTU member was killed on the job Jan. 14, 2010 -- Szabo said:
"This tragic toll is more than just a number; it represents human lives: a father not there to walk his daughter down the aisle, a mother not there for her son's first day of school, an employee nearing retirement who did not live to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
"I'm asking each of you to use your time and talents to help eliminate railroad employee fatalities. In this world of instant communication and technology and information overload, we need to maintain complete situational awareness.
"Keep your mind clear of distractions -- keep cell phones and other devices turned off -- and focus on the task at hand.
'The railroad environment is totally unforgiving and the slightest lapse could be tragic.
"We must break down the barriers that keep us from achieving rules compliance, like taking a shortcut or yielding to pressure from a supervisor to unsafely expedite a move.
"We must take the time to ensure each rule is complied with, and mentor fellow coworkers. Remind them that it is all about going home safely, and if you are pressured by a supervisor to expedite a move by turning your back on the rules, report it.
"The FRA will work diligently to ensure that the focus on rules compliance is consistent within each carrier's organization."
I think it's interesting that he said specifically to keep cell phones and other electronic devises turned off. A warning that they are going tu start amping up EO26 enforcement?
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Some people say I have a bad attitude. Those people are stupid.
Said Szabo, a former conductor and UTU's Illinois state legislative director prior to being chosen by President Obama as FRA administrator:
"Having spent 19 years on the ground myself, I -- like you -- understand the realities of railroading. My stomach still turns in knots each time I hear of an on-duty fatality".
Yet.... 1 man RCO operations were rubber-stamped by the FRA...... business as usual.......
