NS recognizes 58 chemical customers for safe hazmat practices

Norfolk Southern Railway has recognized 58 of its chemical shipper customers with the Class I's 2018 Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award.

The award is part of an NS initiative to promote safe rail-shipping practices in communities the railroad services, according to an NS press release.

During 2018, the 58 customers — including chemical manufacturers and plants — safely shipped more than 265,370 carloads of regulated hazardous material over the NS network. To qualify for the award, the customers shipped at least 1,000 carloads on NS and handled all shipments without a single incident.

For the year, 55 corporations and three chemical plants achieved the safety record. Fourteen companies safely shipped more than 4,000 carloads each, NS officials said.

“At Norfolk Southern, serving our customers and working safely are core principles of our strategic plan, and we appreciate the shared commitment of the customers earning this safety award," said Ed Elkins, NS vice president industrial products.

NS established the award in 1995.