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Between July 17 and 31, Kansas City Southern doubled its number of reported injuries compared with a typical two-week period, according to a statement prepared Aug. 6.


Twelve workers sustained injuries, with seven serious enough to require reporting to Federal Railroad Administration.


KCS officials believe employees are losing their "safety-first" focus because they're dealing with usual summer challenges, such as heat and humidity, and adapting to recently implemented Management Control System, a new operating platform designed to make KCS a more scheduled railroad.


To help prevent injuries, KCS recently launched a safety blitz across its system, under which rail managers and safety committee members are meeting with employees to renew their commitment to work rules, review unsafe work practices, and promote the importance of looking out for co-workers' safety and reporting hazards.


Managers and committee members also are distributing to employees yard-specific safety information, such as reminders to stretch before working and after breaks, properly tie down handbrakes, wear appropriate boots, practice good heat stress-prevention methods and use bug spray to prevent insect bites.