Union Pacific’s 2014 employee safety performance, a 0.98 reportable injury rate, was the best in the railroad’s history, surpassing the previous record established in 2012, and an 11% reduction from the 2013 reportable rate of 1.10, “demonstrating a solid commitment to reducing injuries and generating progress toward the company’s commitment to zero injuries,” according to Vice President Safety, Security and Environment Bob Grimaila.
“The keys to our improvements in employee safety are threefold: a commitment to risk reduction through technology, process improvement and capital investments; all employees embracing our ‘Courage to Care’ pledge to look out for one another; and our well-established, employee-led Total Safety Culture initiative,” said Grimaila. “Together, these activities engage employees to help keep safety top of mind for seasoned employees and prepare newer employees to be safe in the railroad work environment.”
A railroad’s reportable injury rate is the total number of injuries reportable to the Federal Railroad Administration per 200,000 worker hours, which is equivalent to 100 employees working a full year.