NS recognizes customers for safe handling of chemicals

Norfolk Southern Corp. awarded its Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award for 2014 to 66 of its chemical customers.

The Class I annually recognizes chemical manufacturers and plants that ship at least 1,000 carloads of hazardous products over the railroad without an incident. In 2014, 61 companies shipping nearly 214,000 carloads and five plants shipping more than 13,700 carloads met the standard, NS officials announced this morning in a press release.

Carload shipments included industrial chemicals used in the manufacture of consumer goods, crude petroleum, ethanol and fertilizers. They are classified as federally regulated hazardous materials.

NS provides training in safe rail-shipping practices to its customers to help ensure the commodities are delivered to their destinations safely, railroad officials said.

"These valued business partners share Norfolk Southern's commitment to safety for our employees, the communities we serve, and the environment," said NS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Wick Moorman. "Their behind-the-scenes efforts typically go unheralded, but they help us demonstrate every day that rail transportation is safe, reliable, and the most environmentally friendly way to move commercial goods. We congratulate them for their industry-leading performance."

Follow this link for a list of chemcial shippers that earned NS' safety award this year.