Over the last four decades, Operation RedBlock has proven essential, especially given the highly unpredictable nature of employee schedules in the rail industry.
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The railroad industry’s leading peer-based substance abuse prevention program turns 40 this year. Operation RedBlock (ORB), a union-initiated, management supported program at CSX Transportation, uses peer involvement to prevent the employee use of alcohol and/ or drugs while on duty or subject to call. ORB began in 1984 as a partnership with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and CSXT management. Later, nine more unions joined.
The program utilizes peer involvement and intervention to curb risks and provide a safe workplace for railroad employees all while helping to ensure safer railroads for the general public. ORB allows employees who may have drugs or alcohol in their system to “mark-off” for the day rather than reporting for duty and possibly risking the safety of themselves, their co-workers, or the public. The program also allows employees to “mark-off” a co-worker believed to be under the influence. Given the on-call nature of the railroad industry, ORB has proven essential, especially with the highly unpredictable nature of employee schedules in the industry.
Brother Phillip Young, a member of BLET Division 129 (Nashville, Tenn.), serves as one of the ORB System Coordinators at CSXT.
Over the past 40 years, ORB has arguably become the leading peer prevention program in the industry, largely due to its union volunteers and partnership, and cooperation between the Organizations and the carrier.
In recognition of the 40th anniversary, CSXT has produced a video about ORB, which is available here.
Similar programs at other railroads have not been as successful as CSXT’s ORB. Those other programs are primarily management driven and lack the level of employee buy-in found at CSXT.