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Norfolk Southern Rebuilds Trust After Accidents

NS is a renowned transportation company in the United States, transferring goods that are the foundation of our economy. When you buy appliances, beverages or food, chances are NS was part of the supply chain.

NS has promised to rectify the situation following the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. This includes cleaning, testing water, soil, and air as well as helping families rebuild and make our railroad more secure.

Safety

Following the tragic train crash in East Palestine, Ohio, Norfolk Southern promised to do all it can to make things right for the tight-knit community and nearby towns. This includes cleaning up the site as well as testing the air, water and soil, as well as helping families whose lives were affected. This also includes improving security for businesses as well as an industry.

That starts with a focus on employees and the communities along its routes. The company is now training its employees and developed new tools to help them spot dangers and respond more quickly. It's also joining the Federal Railroad Administration's Confidential Close Call Reporting System, which enables railway workers to speak up whenever they notice something that might be unsafe.

In addition, Norfolk Southern has started conducting risk analysis of routes to determine the safest and most secure routes for trains that carry 20 or more carloads of petroleum crude oil -- also known as key crude trains. The analysis is based on 27 different factors, including the density of people living in the area as well as local emergency response capabilities, track quality, and signal systems. The railroad can then divert these trains to avoid certain areas in accordance with the results.

But these steps fall far short of what's needed in order to prevent further derailments, according lawmakers who are investigating the company after this weekend's derailment in Springfield. They've introduced bipartisan legislation to impose stricter safety standards for all freight railroads that transport hazardous materials.

Environment

NS maintains high environmental standards and follows all applicable laws and regulations. The railroad worker puts a high priority on reducing waste, recycling, and the use of materials that are environmentally friendly. The company also provides education to its employees in environmental issues. The Board of Directors regularly reviews and improves the railroad's practices so that they can meet the highest standards of corporate governance.

The entire organization is infused by a safety-focused culture and employees are urged to identify dangers and report them immediately. The safety program at the company is an extensive process for investigating accidents and a continuous improvement system that encourages employees accept responsibility for their own actions.

In 2004 the chemical carloads of NS increased by 5% while revenues grew by 12% to 2003. This growth was due to an increase in industrial intermediates, miscellaneous chemical products, railroad worker petroleum and environmental products. In addition, the construction of new asphalt and propane terminals located in the Southeast led to the rise.

The EPA has asked Norfolk Southern to submit a plan on how the railroad will address toxic chemicals in the soil, air and groundwater near the site of the derailment that occurred last month in East Palestine, Ohio. NS CEO Alan Shaw will testify Thursday before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on the plan. Lawmakers will also ask EPA regional administrator Debra Shore and local officials on the consequences of the incident.

Community

In communities affected by rail accidents, it can take time to restore trust.

Since February's accident in East Palestine, Ohio and Darlington Township, Pennsylvania, NS has worked to restore families their sense of security and assist them in navigating the financial waters. NS has increased the Family Assistance Center (FAC) which provides financial aid to residents who were forced to leave their homes. This includes cleaning the soil and water, monitoring air quality and addressing environmental remediation.

NS also strives to promote the importance of a strong safety culture. It recently joined the Federal Railroad Administration's Confidential Close-Call Reporting System, based on its long-running program to encourage rank-and-file employees to report incidents when they observe something that could be dangerous.

The company has also pledged to partner with the community to provide educational programs and extracurricular activities, as well as long-term contingency planning for the town's future. NS is also investing in new initiatives to assist customers in moving the goods that fuel the economy.

NS employees are strengthening ties to local communities across the country by collaborating with non-profit organizations that promote education as well as hunger relief and other vital community needs. From donating school supplies to hosting home sprucing parties, and stocking thousands of pounds of food in food banks to cheering for Special Olympians, NS employees demonstrate their dedication to giving back.

Shareholders

Norfolk Southern's CEO apologized during a congressional hearing to residents of East Palestine after a hazardous material train got derailed. However he didn't fully support a bill that would have enshrined stricter rail safety standards. He did, however, support plans to tighten the tank cars that railroads don't own, to extend hazardous materials training to first responders, and to establish standards for trackside detectors.

The CEO defended the company’s success in boosting earnings from rail operations which amounted to $4.6 billion in fiscal year 2017 and will almost double in 2021. He also promised to continue the gains to shareholders via dividends and share repurchases.

But some shareholders are not satisfied with the results. They would like to see the company implement a paid sick leave policy for its employees, and have filed a proposal at both NS and Union Pacific to that effect.

NS continues to invest in safety programs, despite criticism. These include the addition of guardrails to long freight trains, and enhancing safety programs at rail yards. And it has joined the Transportation Department's Confidential Close Call Reporting System which allows employees to anonymously report rail safety concerns. CSX is a different member of the group, is a duopoly in the eastern United States on the major intermodal routes.