UP recognized for safe transportation of hazardous materials

Union Pacific Railroad recently earned the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care^® Management System (RCMS) certification, which recognizes the railroad's safe and secure handling of hazardous materials while transporting customer shipments.

The certification is the chemical industry's initiative to drive continuous improvement in environmental, health, safety and security. Certification requires meeting the chemical industry's global standards, addressing risks and consenting to independent audits by certified inspectors. 

This year UP earned its 20th RCMS certification, according to a UP press release.

"Receiving the RCMS certification for two continuous decades reflects Union Pacific's commitment and is a tribute to our dedicated employees who handle our customers' products in the safest, most secure manner," said Kari Kirchhoefer, vice president and general manager – chemicals. "We pledge to continue meeting or exceeding the chemical industry's standards."

Non-chemical companies handling hazardous materials were allowed to begin participating in the program in 1995. UP was the first railroad to engage in the process, receiving the rail industry's first RCMS certification in 1996, UP officials said.