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6/24/2024
Norfolk Southern Railway will convene a vent and burn workgroup to consider key information that would help determine future actions in scenarios where a vent and burn may be necessary.
The workgroup is an element of NS’s recent settlement with the Department of Justice and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency related to the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment of an NS hazmat train in East Palestine, Ohio.
The group will be composed of leaders from stakeholder groups that have a role to play in responding to rail accidents, NS officials said in a press release.
Over the next six months, final to a court approval of the settlement, NS officials will talk with members of safety groups to determine the criteria for workgroup participation. Once established, the group will assess current practices and existing protocols.
“When a vent and burn procedure is being considered, the health and safety of surrounding communities and emergency responders is top priority," said NS President and CEO Alan Shaw. "We look forward to surfacing learnings that can strengthen rail safety for everyone."
The workgroup’s creation continues the railroad’s focus on rail safety over the past 18 months. During that time, NS has:• achieved a 38% reduction in its mainline accident rate;• installed digital train inspection portals featuring machine-learning vision inspection technology;• become the first Class I to join the Federal Railroad Administration's Confidential Close Call Reporting System; • enhanced training for all field-based employee operations; and• deployed the Safety Up mobile app to its entire workforce.
Tomorrow, the National Transportation Safety Board is scheduled to unveil the draft report of its investigation of the East Palestine derailment, as well as recommendations for safety improvements.