ASLRRA honors Kramer, Harris for safety efforts

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) yesterday honored Jeremy Kramer of Louisville and Indiana Railroad Co. (LIRC) and Mitch Harris of Rio Grande Pacific Corp. (RGPC) for making career commitments to "safety compliance and culture."

ASLRRA recognized Kramer as the Safety Person of the Year and Harris as the Safety Professional of the Year. The awards were announced yesterday at ASLRRA's 2018 Connections Convention in Nashville.

"Safety above all else is the mantra of our industry, and particularly the short-line railroads who have achieved a record 520 days fatality-free. It is through the efforts of individuals such as Jeremy Kramer and Mitch Harris making the safe choices day in and day out, demanding the same level of commitment from their peers, that this can happen," said ASLRRA President Linda Bauer Darr in a press release.

LIRC's director of transportation, Kramer was recognized as Safety Person of the Year for demonstrating a "consistent and passionate dedication to safety" during a 15-year railroad career, ASLRRA officials said.

"Throughout, he has worked injury-free supporting the development of a robust safety culture and strong safety performance among employees, communities, first responders and schools along the 106-mile rail line," they said.

Kramer also has volunteered with Operation Lifesaver and worked with area first responders on a variety of programs such as Trauma Camp, a training event for area first responders in a mock train versus vehicle incident; the Hazmat Safety Train, which provides classroom education and hands-on training to enhance their effectiveness in response to potential rail-car accidents and chemical releases; and Officer on a Train, an effort to prevent grade-crossing and trespasser incidents.

Additionally, Kramer has "raised the safety culture bar" with LIRC contractors, ASLRRA officials said.

In 2016, Progressive Railroading recognized Kramer as a Rising Star in the rail industry.

The Safety Person of the Year Award recognizes an employee of a member railroad who is not a career safety professional, has no reportable personal injuries, works with their company to make safety programs effective, exhibits a high degree of safety awareness and contributes off-duty time to activities promoting safety awareness and initiatives in the community.

Meanwhile, Harris — who is RGPC's director of safety, training and regulatory compliance — was recognized as the Safety Professional of the Year for implementing safety initiatives that have lowered incident and accident statistics to a level below the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) frequency rates for short lines.

"He works tirelessly to ensure that employees are abreast of all new rules and regulations," ASLRRA officials said.

Harris also serves as vice chairman of the association's Safety and Training Committee, as well as an alternate member of the FRA's Railroad Safety Advisory Committee.

The ASLRRA's Safety Professional of the Year Award recognizes a railroad management employee who demonstrates an exceptional work ethic and dedication to safety.