Norfolk Southern Joins Federal , Pilot Program for Workers , to Report Safety Concerns.<br />Some engineers and conductors at Norfolk Southern <br />will have access to a federal system to anonymously <br />report safety concerns without fear of retaliation. .<br />'The Independent' reports that Norfolk Southern <br />is the first of six major freight railroads to join <br />the Federal Railroad Administration's program. .<br />So far, the one-year pilot program is limited <br />to members of just two unions based in <br />Atlanta, Georgia, Elkhart, Indiana, and Roanoke, Virginia.<br />The agreement to participate in the program <br />comes just days before the one-year anniversary <br />of the fiery East Palestine, Ohio derailment. .<br />The agreement to participate in the program <br />comes just days before the one-year anniversary <br />of the fiery East Palestine, Ohio derailment. .<br />The disastrous crash prompted temporary evacuations <br />and has cost over $1 billion to cleanup hazardous <br />chemicals that were spilled and subsequently burned.<br />The disastrous crash prompted temporary evacuations <br />and has cost over $1 billion to cleanup hazardous <br />chemicals that were spilled and subsequently burned.<br />'The Independent' reports that the derailment has also <br />given rise to lingering questions regarding the long-term <br />health consequences for people living in the area.<br />'The Independent' reports that the derailment has also <br />given rise to lingering questions regarding the long-term <br />health consequences for people living in the area.<br />Norfolk Southern has taken a good <br />first step, and it’s time for the other <br />Class I railroads to back up their talk <br />with action and make good on their <br />promises to join this close call <br />reporting system and keep <br />America’s rail network safe, Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Transportation Secretary, via 'The Independent'.<br />Norfolk Southern has taken a good <br />first step, and it’s time for the other <br />Class I railroads to back up their talk <br />with action and make good on their <br />promises to join this close call <br />reporting system and keep <br />America’s rail network safe, Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Transportation Secretary, via 'The Independent'.<br />Major rail companies have resisted joining <br />the new federal reporting system, claiming their <br />own internal reporting systems are sufficient. .<br />According to Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, <br />the railroad's decision to join the new reporting program <br />will hopefully set an example for the rest of the industry.<br />According to Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, <br />the railroad's decision to join the new reporting program <br />will hopefully set an example for the rest of the industry.<br />NS is proud to partner with <br />our labor leaders and FRA to <br />make another industry-leading <br />advancement in safety, Alan Shaw, Norfolk Southern CEO, via 'The Independent'