Midyear report: Norfolk Southern advancing safety

Rhea-AI Summary

Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) released its 2024 Midyear Safety Report, showcasing significant advancements in railroad safety. Key achievements include a 30% reduction in mainline accidents in 2023, a 14% decrease in the FRA Personal Injury Index since 2020, and a 28% drop in employee accidents. The company has installed 187 out of 259 planned hot bearing detectors and launched three digital train inspection portals, targeting 20 operational systems by 2026. Collaborations with 12 labor unions led to initiatives like the Signal Safety Collaboration program and the 'Walk with a Purpose' program, which provided work boot vouchers to 40% of the workforce within two weeks of launch.

Positive

• 30% reduction in mainline accidents in 2023.
• 14% decrease in FRA Personal Injury Index from 2020 to 2023.
• 28% reduction in employee accidents since 2020.
• Installation of 187 out of 259 planned hot bearing detectors.
• Launch of three digital train inspection portals, aiming for 20 by 2026.
• Collaboration with 12 labor unions to improve safety.
• Introduction of 'Walk with a Purpose' program, providing work boot vouchers to 40% of the workforce.

Negative

• Remaining 72 hot bearing detectors are yet to be installed.
• Full operational capability of planned digital train inspection portals will not be achieved until 2026.

Company is progressing on Six-Point Safety Plan, collaborating with unions, and implementing feedback from independent safety consultant

ATLANTA, June 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) released a 2024 Midyear Safety Report, highlighting substantial advancements to enhance railroad safety. Norfolk Southern is committed to keeping our employees and communities safe. Our progress to become the gold standard of safety is the direct result of engaging employees, safety advisors, customers and communities — all to further the company's safety culture.

"When we make a promise, we deliver on that promise," said Alan H. Shaw, president and CEO of Norfolk Southern. "That started with our Six-Point Safety Plan announced last spring and progress has continued in 2024. Norfolk Southern has maintained our positive safety momentum into 2024 with year-to-date improvement across all our core safety metrics."

Claude Mongeau, chair of the Norfolk Southern Board of Directors, added comments to the company's ongoing efforts: "Safety is priority number one at Norfolk Southern. We're grateful to everyone who has contributed to our continuous improvement to ensure that Norfolk Southern remains a strong, sustainable and safe company for years to come."

Safety culture is about vigilance and continuous improvement and Norfolk Southern has worked hard to put that philosophy into action. This report reaffirms the company's commitment to setting the highest standards in safety and operational excellence. Key highlights from the 2024 Midyear Safety Report include:

Company-Wide Actions

• Installing 187 out of a planned 259 hot bearing detector systems
• Launching three digital train inspection portals featuring machine learning vision inspection technology, with a goal of having 20 systems operational by the end of 2026
• Deploying 17 new acoustic bearing detectors, significantly expanding our safety technology network

Significant Safety Achievements

• Reducing the number of mainline accidents by 30% in 2023, placing us among the best of the Class I railroads
• Bringing our FRA Personal Injury Index down from 1.51 in 2020 to 1.09 in 2023, almost 14% lower than the 10-year average
• Lowering employee accidents by 28% since 2020

Strong Union Collaboration

• Joining forces with leaders of 12 labor unions to express a joint commitment to safety; leading to initiatives like the Signal Safety Collaboration program, aimed at enhancing signal safety for employees and communities
• Ordering over 2,300 Kenwood and Icom model antennas, which can be fitted to existing hand-held radios to help crew members communicate critical information more clearly
• Introducing the "Walk with a Purpose" program, providing work boot vouchers to all employees and fulfilling orders for nearly 40% of the total workforce within the first two weeks of its launch

To access the full report, please visit this link.

About Norfolk Southern
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and Norfolk Southern originates more automotive traffic than any other Class I Railroad. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports in the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

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SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation

FAQ

What is Norfolk Southern's (NSC) 2024 Midyear Safety Report about?

The 2024 Midyear Safety Report highlights significant advancements in railroad safety, including a 30% reduction in mainline accidents and a 14% decrease in the FRA Personal Injury Index.

How has Norfolk Southern (NSC) improved its safety metrics in 2023?

Norfolk Southern has reduced mainline accidents by 30% and lowered its FRA Personal Injury Index by 14% from 2020 to 2023.

What safety technologies has Norfolk Southern (NSC) implemented in 2024?

Norfolk Southern installed 187 out of 259 planned hot bearing detectors and launched three digital train inspection portals, with a goal of 20 operational systems by 2026.

What is the Signal Safety Collaboration program by Norfolk Southern (NSC)?

The Signal Safety Collaboration program is an initiative aimed at enhancing signal safety for employees and communities, resulting from Norfolk Southern's collaboration with 12 labor unions.

What is the 'Walk with a Purpose' program at Norfolk Southern (NSC)?

The 'Walk with a Purpose' program provides work boot vouchers to all Norfolk Southern employees, with nearly 40% of the workforce receiving vouchers within the first two weeks of its launch.