This Week's Message
Hello, this is Michael Ward.
All of our hard work to improve safety has been recognized once again! Last week in Washington, CSX received the Silver Harriman Award in recognition of our safety performance. But that wasn't all. CSX also received a Certificate of Commendation that recognized the most improvement in employee safety over the past three years, and the most improvement between 2007 and 2008. The awards were presented by Ed Hamberger, the president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was there, too.
These are important accomplishments, made all the more significant by the fact that U.S. railroads had their safest year ever in 2008. Among the key factors in our improvement were rules compliance, sustained investments in our infrastructure and facilities, and employees looking out for employees. It's part of our culture that a tap on the shoulder, or other friendly reminder, is how we keep each other safe.
Among the CSX people in Washington for the awards ceremony was Larry Davis, an electrician from Cumberland, Md. Larry was our nominee for the Hammond Award, which recognizes extraordinary work by an individual railroad employee to promote safety. In his 40-year career, Larry has held a number of safety positions and has been an effective advocate for safety. He is also an Operation Lifesaver volunteer and presenter, who talks to school children and school bus drivers about being safe around railroad tracks. Larry didn't take home the industry award, but his great accomplishments have prevented injuries and saved lives, and he's a winner in my book.
The Norfolk Southern won the Gold Harriman Award for the 20th year in a row as the nation's safest railroad, and we congratulate them. But I think it's time we took that Gold away! However, whether it's Gold or Silver, we know the real winners are our employees who go home safely each day.
Thanks for listening, have a safe, productive day, and I'll talk to you again next week.
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