(The following appeared on the Altoona Mirror website on May 28, 2009.)
ALTOONA, Pa. — State Rep. Rick Geist, R-Altoona, today will present the employees of the Juniata Locomotive Shop with a copy of a House resolution honoring them for working 1 million man-hours without a reportable injury.
“The Juniata Locomotive Shop is one of the premier diesel locomotive repair facilities in North America, and the skill and craftmanship of its employees is world-renown,” Geist said. “It is gratifying that the employees at Juniata have enhanced their reputation for high-quality performance with an enviable safety record.”
Norfolk Southern officials said they are grateful to Geist for recognizing their efforts.
“At the core of working 1 million man-hours injury-free is the commitment and dedication of each individual employee at Juniata,” said Tim Heilig, Norfolk Southern vice president for mechanical. “The members of our safety committee work with their fellow employees throughout the shop to proactively identify and correct issues and situations that could potentially affect employee safety.”
On May 20, Norfolk Southern received its 20th consecutive E.H. Harriman Award for having the safest railroad workplace in North America among Class 1 railroads. The award was presented by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.