There's still lot's of work that needs to be done on the "culture" side, beyond orientation and lip service. I find that a "fast paced" work environment often runs contrary to safe work practices. Probably the single biggest thing an employer can do to improve safety is to control the work pace.. imho it needs to be slow, deliberate, and measured.. not fast paced. In my career most of the accidents I've seen have been due to someone working under unrealistic time pressure and taking shortcuts. "Fast paced" might be fine for a law or accounting office but not so much for a transportation company where lives are at stake.
The fact that US commercial aviation has not had a passenger fatality in something like 10 years indicates that the airline safety people are doing something right.
Edit: Upon further research it looks like 8 years.
Norm48327Should that culture be implimented from the top down or the bottom up?
Both and all ways in between. This stuff will kill you in the blink of an eye. You can never lose your respect (and fear) for this equipment.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
What is "Safety Culture" and how would you best explain it and convey the message to your staff?
Ken Hylander was recently appointed Director of Safety at Amtrak. Given that he comes from the airline side of the transportation equation I would ask others if they think he's qualified to impart his thoughts and ideas regarding railroad safety in a manner that will have an impact on the industry. Even the most naive among us railfans know you don't walk in front of a train that is moving, nor too close to one that is stopped.
That said, I started my career in aviation as a "Ramp Rat" and worked my way up from there. The first thing we were told was to never get close to a turning propeller if you want to see your next birthday. Much truth to that, but how does the safety culture in aviation relate to railroading. IMO, it means always being aware of your surroundings and circumstances that may affect you.
Should that culture be implimented from the top down or the bottom up? Do track foremen have an obligation to their employees to enforce safety regulations? I believe so after watching my track foreman correct one of his employees.
Is being safety oriented directly related to the industry in which one is currently working or is it being able to read the big picture?
Norm
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