Congratulations to the Newest Winter FREEZE Winners

At Watco, safety is at the center of everything we do. That’s why we celebrate team members who strive to improve their workplaces. We’re proud to announce the newest winners of the Winter FREEZE (Following Rule 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.

“We are only human; we never want to admit our failures,” said SVP of Environmental Health and Safety Travis Herod. “But everyone makes mistakes. Thanks to these team members for reporting near-miss incidents and safety suggestions. Your feedback is valuable, and allows us to better our training programs and improve overall safety.”

Name: Ivan “Dale” Smith

Location: Coffeyville Repair and Maintenance Terminal (KS)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Smith noticed a contractor approaching the location’s entrance who was not wearing a hard hat or safety glasses.

Solution: Smith talked to the contractor, who put on the required personal protective equipment before entering the location.

Name: Robin Doom

Location: Grand Rivers Repair and Maintenance Terminal (KY)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: While the team was preparing to use a new cutting-torch assembly, they heard a leak coming from the regulator’s hose crimp.

Solution: The oxygen valve was turned off and the faulty crimp was replaced. Doom reminded team members the importance of inspecting equipment before use.

Name: Nicholas DelSignore

Location: Omaha Repair and Maintenance Terminal (NE)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: While preparing to use a forklift, DelSignore’s foot slipped on the bottom step. No injury occurred because DelSignore maintained three points of contact.

Solution: A meeting was held to emphasize the importance of maintaining three points of contact.

Name: Omar Reyes

Location: Greens Port (TX)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: While unloading a railcar, Reyes noticed no sign posted stating the powerline height clearance for the line crossing at the yard entrance.

Solution: The team added height clearance signs.

Name: Harold Cornelius

Location: New Martinsville Dedicated Terminal (WV)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Cornelius noticed hydraulic oil dripping from a vacuum arm into a barge.

Solution: Cornelius inspected and tightened the vacuum arm’s bolts. His quick actions prevented a potential hydraulic oil spill into the river.

Name: Elliot Bercier

Location: Fryburg Dedicated Terminal (ND)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Prior to loading a car with odorized propane, Bercier noticed a pressure relief valve bubbling.

Solution: Bercier immediately shut off the loading valves and vented the car so repairs could be made.

Name: Joseph Helire (left) and Jyron Glenn (right)

Location: St. Charles Industrial Rail (LA)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: While a train pulled out of a port yard, an electric gate malfunctioned and accidentally closed.

Solution: Helire and Glenn stopped the locomotive before hitting the gate.

Name: David Glover

Location: Freeport Industrial Rail (TX)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: After receiving double verification for railcars to move, Glover noticed a person from another company go underneath the hopper car he was preparing to couple.

Solution: Glover called for an emergency stop and prevented a serious injury or death.

Name: Sean Fuselier

Location: DeRidder MeadWestvaco Switching (LA)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: While team members pulled a rack, another rack lowered, fouling the track.

Solution: Fueslier stopped train movement until the rack was successfully raised back into place.

Name: Matthew Budda

Location: Wisconsin & Southern Railroad

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Budda noticed a door threshold was rotting.

Solution: To prevent tripping hazards, Budda removed and replaced the rotting wood. And the threshold plate was reinstalled.

Name: Gregory Barnett

Location: Wallula Switching (WA)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Barnett noticed clearance marks in the yard were fading. Solution: During his breaks, Barnett repainted clearance marks.

Do you have a safety suggestion or near-miss incident to report? Share it with your local manager! Don’t delay, Winter FREEZE runs through March 31, 2023.