Revealing the Newest Winter FREEZE Winners

Congratulations to the newest winners of the Winter FREEZE (Following Rules Every Day Ensures Zero Errors) safety award. These team members earn a $200 cash bonus for spotting a hazard, reporting a near-miss incident, or submitting a safety suggestion.

“Safety is at the center of everything we do at Watco,” said SVP of Environmental Health and Safety Travis Herod. “Our team members do a good job of reporting near-miss incidents and safety suggestions. Thank you for your contributions, and way to Own It!”

Name: Chase Manley

Location: Dore Transload Terminal (ND)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Manley used a strap stick and determined that the product exceeded the trailer’s maximum load size.

Solution: Manley used Stop Work Authority. Manley’s supervisor then reached out to the customer for the correct strapping chart for the tanker.

Name: Anthony Hipes

Location: Sauget Cahokia Marine Terminal (IL)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: In order for team members to avoid putting their hands too close to the conveyor, Hipes suggested mounting eye bolts to a conveyor frame.

Solution: Eye bolts will be welded onto the conveyor. Until then, a Job Safety Analysis has been updated for team members to review.

Name: Howard Noland

Location: New Martinsville Dedicated Terminal (WV)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Noland discovered an electrical conduit was broken off at the fitting. Wires were also exposed.

Solution: An electrician repaired the conduit and wiring.

Name: Matt Spade

Location: Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WI)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Spade spoke up after noticing the cables on a bridge walkway were loose. He also noticed the surface of the bridge walkway was uneven, creating a tripping hazard.

Solution: The team tightened the cables, changed ties, and set the ballast retainer extensions to the correct height.

Name: Eddie Mendoza

Location: Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad - Condon (OR)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: While inspecting the track inside a customer’s facility, Mendoza found wide-gauge track in a crossing. This could potentially result in a derailment.

Solution: This crossing was taken out of service until repairs can be made.

Name: Cory Agawa

Location: Agawa Canyon Railroad (Canada)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Agawa observed that a drainage trench was unmarked. The snow-covered trench could have resulted in a potential injury.

Solution: This trench has been filled with rock to eliminate hazards.

Names: Timothy Keegan and Matthew Allen

Location: Blue Ridge Southern Railroad (NC)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: While operating a locomotive, Keegan and Allen spotted deputies walking in the foul of the main line. They sounded the horn to warn the deputies and brought the train to a stop, avoiding a potential catastrophe.

Solution: The deputies admitted to not contacting Dispatch before walking near the tracks. The railroad connected them to rail safety resources.

Name: Erika Chavira

Location: Freeport Industrial Rail (TX)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Chavira suggested installing street signs on a couple of double railroad crossings that advise drivers to not stop on tracks.

Solution: The team is considering adding these signs in the future.

Name: James Napier

Location: Pittsburg Repair and Maintenance Terminal (KS)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: While switching railcars, Napier stopped movement. He found the switch was improperly aligned due to tampering.

Solution: Conductors and engineers now provide visual confirmation of proper switch alignments prior to movements.

Name: Milton Gray

Location: Coffeyville Repair and Maintenance Terminal (KS)

Safety Suggestion: Gray noticed a top transfer tie was loose on a railcar.

Solution: Gray removed the loose rivet. He also lowered the transfer tie to the ground in order to prevent it from falling on anyone. Members of management used Gray’s observations to remind the team to be aware and take caution.