The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released the results of its safety culture survey at the BNSF Railway on August 28. The FRA found that company leaders routinely say that safety is a core value, but lower-level managers still prioritize keeping the trains moving, overriding safety practices. As a result, front-line workers like locomotive engineers and trainmen don’t feel comfortable reporting safety concerns for fear of being disciplined. According to the Associated Press, which reported on the survey’s results, BNSF — along with other rail carriers — has a long history of retaliating against workers who report too many safety concerns.
In response to this disconnect, the FRA reiterated its recommendation that BNSF and all Class I railroads join the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), which protects workers by allowing them to confidentially report safety concerns without fear of reprisal or discipline.
“This is why workers need a union,” BLET National President Eddie Hall said. “Regardless of company policy, low-level managers still intimidate workers into unsafe practices and workers are often afraid to question or are disciplined if they push back. I urge BNSF’s executive leadership to make a meaningful commitment to safety by joining the C3RS program.”
The FRA’s safety culture survey is available on the FRA website (PDF).
BNSF photo: courtesy of Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659