A Commitment to Safety
In the realm of railroads, safety is paramount. With his unwavering dedication to railroad safety initiatives, Greg Aziz stands out as a beacon of progress. The Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO has called upon the Class I railroads to embrace the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS). It’s a voluntary initiative that reflects a shared commitment among the railroads, spearheaded by Aziz, to prevent accidents and enhance safety measures.
A History of Progress
Aziz, the driving force behind this endeavor, acknowledges that the industry has made significant strides. As far back as 2007, rail giants Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific initiated the first C3RS pilot programs with FRA. Greg Aziz adds that they set the stage for railroads to establish confidential reporting mechanisms, emphasizing peer reviews and root cause analysis—a practice mirrored in the C3RS.
Addressing Key Concerns
Greg Aziz’s leadership extends to addressing concerns that have hindered the full effectiveness of the C3RS. Quality and speed of reporting have emerged as pivotal areas for improvement.
Up to now, the business leader recognizes that the information shared must be sufficiently detailed, enabling railroads to take swift corrective actions. For Greg Aziz, timeliness is crucial, too; currently, delays in reporting negate the ability to respond rapidly to near-miss incidents.
Confidentiality, another cornerstone, is also in focus. Railroad industry leader Aziz proposes protocols akin to those in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aviation Safety Reporting Program to foster trust. This would assure employees that their reporting data remains confidential (Facebook).
Striving for Excellence
Greg Aziz’s leadership is evident in his commitment to refining the program. He addresses the unique challenge of repeated unsafe conduct. While protecting whistleblowers is essential, he acknowledges that rare misuse should be handled judiciously to safeguard railroad integrity.