Oakworth Crews Communicate for Safety

NASHVILLE DIVISION second edition | 2016 Oakworth crews communicate for safety Nicholas Jones, conductor, rides a rail car while switching at Oakworth Yard in Decatur, Ala. Conductor Nicholas Jones The Y103 runs seven days already reviewed their paperwork caught a brief ride in the locomo- a week. Jones and Joey Dixon, in the office with Yardmaster Bill tive cab into the Oakworth Yard locomotive engineer, work five of Thomas and crafted a plan for the bowl. He enjoyed a few moments those. day. Jones radioed his location of warmth before stepping into “I like being outside and work- and next action to Dixon and effi- the crisp air as the sun began to ing with different people,” said ciently began operating switches, peek over the surrounding rail Jones, who joined the railroad pulling pins, coupling cars and all cars. about six years ago on the advice the rest that each cut requires. “We are going to switch out of his father, a retired carman Each action was preceded by a about 200 cars today,” Jones in Birmingham, Alabama. radio conversation. said. “Mostly we will be in the yard Stepping out of the cab, Jones “Communication between us before we cut to the southern in- climbed down the locomotive and is vital to ensure nothing is going terchange and bring a cut back.” began the work. He and Dixon had Continued on page 3 Rick Haggard, environmental specialist, collects a water sample near a fueling location in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Environmental Health conducts inspections, safety briefings Recently, Rick Haggard knelt by a creek near the Murfreesboro, Tennessee, terminal and scooped a sample of water. He visually inspected it and marked the container for later testing. It is all part of routine environmental inspections for the Nashville- based environmental specialist. “Being a good environmental steward is about paying attention to detail while in the field, communicating and listening to people,” Haggard said. “Environmental Field Services is dedicated to staying compliant and working safely on a daily basis.” He was in Murfreesboro to conduct first-quarter stormwater inspec- Rick Haggard, environmental specialist, brings a tions. Every year CSX performs Environmental Compliance Assurance new track mat to Murfreesboro to help prevent Reviews to assess facility and yard compliance with the thousands of fuel spills. pages of local, state and federal law that govern the policies and procedures of CSX operations. Environmental Field Services regularly conducts onsite inspections, as well as managing and recycling waste, running CSX treatment plants, sampling outfalls and staying compliant with permits. Haggard and other department employees used the field trips as an opportunity to speak with employees they met about potential slips, trips and falls, which continue to be the leading cause of injury on the railroad. Public Safety, Health and Environment Department employees conducted safety awareness briefings with employees throughout March. “Everyone has been receptive and happy to participate in this safety awareness effort,” Haggard said. Rick Haggard, environmental specialist, inspects a water sample. “Being a good environmental steward is about paying attention to detail while in the field, communicating and listening to people. Environmental Field Services is dedicated to staying compliant and working safely on a daily basis.” —Rick Haggard, environmental specialist 2 | NASHVILLE DIVISION Slips, trips, falls — and preventers The following are types of falls and preventers to assist in avoiding these type of incidents. • Step-down-type fall: Incidents in which the foot encounters an unexpected step down, such as a hole or weak spot that gives way in the walking surface. • Preventer: Plan route and know the area to avoid this fall. • Forced rotation-type fall: Incidents Nicholas Jones, conductor, operates a switch. occur when someone’s foot encounters an unexpected object or the edge of a change in surface elevation — hole, Oakworth crews depression, curb, step, stone or uneven surface crack or floor plate — that caus- communicate es a person to turn an ankle. • Preventer: Be prepared for changes in the working surface to avoid this fall. for safety Continued from page 1 • Trip-type falls (trip and fall): Incidents to be moving and to make in which the team member encounters sure we know everything that an unseen or unnoticed raised object in is going on,” Jones said. the walking path. Dixon agreed, noting “I • Preventer: Maintain awareness of sur- move forward, back, stop, roundings to avoid this fall. and communicate when I’m • Slip-type falls (slip and fall): Incidents in Three Step Protection.” occur when a team member slips and The rule can be found goes into a sliding motion until balance Nicholas Jones, conductor, uses in the Safe Job Procedures three-point contact to ride a loco- is lost. section, rule 19, of CSX’s motive while switching. • Preventer: Keep surfaces clean and dry Safe Way and Safe Job to avoid this fall. Wear proper shoes and Procedures book. It states that the locomotive footing for the surface. engineer must place the: Take a look at work area around feet and 1. Independent brake in the FULL APPLICATION legs. Look at the items that are waist level position; and, if necessary, make a brake pipe re- and lower. Are these items stored properly? duction sufficient to hold the equipment. Are any items protruding so that feet or legs 2. Reverse lever in the CENTER position. may strike them while moving through the 3. Generator field switch in the OFF position. work area? Are cords, hoses or wires in the walking path? How do you prepare for inclement weather? “Ensure I have all my rain gear with me.” — Chris Ollis, conductor, Nashville NASHVILLE DIVISION | 3 In addition to Evansville Intermodal Terminal Manager Tracy Brasfield, the Evansville Intermodal team includes, from left, Brian Basham and David Summers, intermodal service workers; Bill Christian, central lift maintenance group; and Gary Williams, intermodal service worker. Evansville Intermodal consistently safe Tracy Brasfield, three-year em- area is another perk of the small each incident, discussing why it hap- ployee and Evansville Intermodal workforce. Team members rapidly pened and how it could have been terminal manager, joined the team learn the ins and outs of their area. prevented. during a seven-year reportable inju- “It’s like they have eyes in the “When we talk about safety, they ry-free record. back of their heads,” Brasfield said. take it to heart,” she said. “When Now that their safety success ap- “If they see a driver doing something they’re working, they know they’re proaches 10 years in April, the team wrong, they’re on top of correcting never pushed to get their work done. remains determined to keep safety him or her and ensuring it doesn’t They know what needs to get done their top priority. With the newest happen again.” and ensure safety always comes first.” member joining in 2008, the majority Occasionally, Brasfield goes Brasfield believes talking about of the group has worked together out into the yard and conducts safety is paramount to anything the since the early 1990s. observations. She has noticed that team does in the yard. She reminds Brasfield cited longevity as one keeping the yard safe is a team effort. employees how important it is to of the keys to the team’s safety She strives to help employees feel remain vigilant, and follow rules and success. comfortable coming to her with any regulations. “Co-workers have had time to concerns or opinions on how to help “They may do something a hun- build good friendships with one an- enhance the yard. dred times, but it only takes one time other,” she said. “With as small a team “We’ve built a culture in which for it to change their life forever,” she as this, it ensures everybody knows we want people to understand we’re said. what the other is doing. Employees not observing them to point fingers,” To continue the injury-free mark, are able to keep an eye on one an- Brasfield said. “We’re doing it so we team members plan to constantly other and continue doing their work.” can go home safely every night.” raise the standards for safety, help- Employees being able to quickly During daily safety briefings, ing ensure employees are being familiarize themselves with the envi- team members discuss reported challenged to improve wherever ronment and requirements for that injuries systemwide. They review necessary. What do you see your co-workers doing to work safely? “Everybody wears their safety apparel and everything they’re supposed to have when they go out on the job. We have job briefings and talk to each other. It’s important because we all want to go home safely.” —Greg Hoodenpyle, locomotive engineer, Evansville 4 | NASHVILLE DIVISION Rebel Steel praises CSX service As a small business, Rebel Steel friends of mine.” “We get them there in time so cus- Inc. in La Vergne, Tennessee, relies on Rebel Steel was established in tomers can meet their commitments,” CSX’s service so it can provide quality October 1981 to provide precision said Bryan Stone, trainmaster. “Good service to its customers. slit steel coils on a just-in-time basis. communication with the customer is “I have a great relationship with The company receives coiled steel important.” the crew that serves us,” said Lee from a variety of mills, primarily The online Ship CSX customer Hays, Rebel Steel shipping supervi- shipped by rail. It takes the steel order tracking feature is a useful tool sor, in the first-quarter Voice of the and cuts it to customer specifica- that allows Hays to anticipate pre- Customer survey. “They are excellent tions before re-coiling and shipping cisely what orders will arrive when, so people to work with.” to the final customer.

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