ASLRRA announces 2014 Safety Award winners

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) revealed yesterday the winners of its 2014 Safety Awards, which recognize association members' efforts to maintain a high level of safety.

Billie Johnson, general manager of OmniTRAX Inc.'s Newburgh & South Shore Railroad LLC and Northern Ohio & Western Railway LLC, was named Safety Person of the Year, and Mike Lundell, vice president of compliance and safety for Genesee & Wyoming Inc., was named Safety Professional of the Year. Buckingham Branch Railroad Co. was honored with the Most Improved Safety Record Award.

Portland & Western Railroad received the President's Award for the most hours of injury-free operation.

Recognized with President's Awards for maintaining the best safety rate in the following categories were:
• Union Railroad Company, for 500,000 or more man-hours worked;
• Portland & Western Railroad, for 250,000 to 500,000 man-hours worked;
• Fort Worth & Western Railroad, for 150,000 to 250,000 man-hours worked;
• Ohio Central Railroad Co., for 50,000 to 150,000 man-hours worked; and
• Florida Central Railroad, for less than 50,000 man-hours worked.

Last year was a successful year safety-wise for ASLRRA members, according to an association press release. A total 274 railroad members earned 2014 Jake Awards with Distinction for reaching the goal of achieving a 0.00 Frequency/Severity Index (FSI) for the year. Forty additional railroads received 2014 Jake Awards for having an injury rate lower than the industry average FSI of 2.68.

Click here to view a list of all winners.