OTTAWA, Dec. 2, 2014 /CNW/ - The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) today recognized four of its members for their outstanding contributions to rail safety. Representatives from CN, CP, VIA Rail, and The Roberval and Saguenay Railway Company accepted their awards at the association's Rail Day event in Ottawa.
"When you look at data and the variety of safety efforts being recognized today, it's clear why Canada's railways – freight and passenger railways big and small – are safe and getting safer," said RAC President and CEO, Michael Bourque . "Congratulations to this year's RAC Safety Award recipients."
The annual RAC Safety Awards encourage Canada's railway industry to adopt safe practices and to promote awareness of rail safety, to ensure that their networks remain among the safest in the world.
Winners
The 2014 RAC Safety Award winners are:
CN for its corridor risk-assessment initiative, which aligns with risk-reduction actions taken by the industry and regulators following the tragic accident in Lac-Mégantic, Que. CN's initiative helps railways to assess risk more precisely through risk-reduction plans that include people, process and technology. Since starting the initiative in late 2013, CN has carried out assessments along core routes across its network.
Canadian Pacific (CP) for its Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) User Manual for Train and Engine Employees. The manual aims to improve compliance with Transport Canada's CROR by re-organizing rules based on specific scenarios. It is designed to give students and employees a better understanding of how to apply the rules during day-to-day railway operations.
The Roberval and Saguenay Railway Company for promoting the Operation Lifesaver public-rail safety message on one of its railcars. The goal of Operation Lifesaver is to reduce accidents and near-misses by raising the public's awareness about crossing and trespassing safety. The railway collaborated with art students at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi to design and paint the railcar, which is available for other railway companies to rent.
VIA Rail for its Handling On-Train Service Workplace Accidents & Return to Work pilot program. The project aims to reduce the time between a workplace accident, and an employee's return to work. By collecting more accurate information on workplace accidents, VIA Rail has improved health and safety investigations, engaged employees, and made VIA Rail a safer workplace.
About the Railway Association of Canada
The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) represents more than 50 freight and passenger railway companies that move 75 million people and $250 billion worth of goods in Canada each year. As the voice of Canada's railway industry, RAC advocates on behalf of its members and associate members to ensure that the rail sector remains globally competitive, sustainable, and most importantly, safe. Learn more at http://www.railcan.ca/. Follow us on Twitter: @RailCanada or Facebook: www.facebook.com/RailCanada.
SOURCE: RAILWAY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
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Alex Paterson, Railway Association of Canada, 613-564-8111, [email protected]
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