Around The Railroad

Twin Cities TSC Gains Support of All Crafts

February 27, 2008 | 10:25 a.m. CST

Fostering an "active-caring" atmosphere based on trust and respect, the Twin Cities Service Unit (TCSU) is taking Total Safety Culture (TSC) to the next level by incorporating Engineering, Transportation and Mechanical into its processes.

"Because we've included everyone, respect and understanding between crafts has increased dramatically," said Bruce Sullivan, TSC coordinator-TCSU.

Total Safety Culture is an employee-owned process that educates employees to watch out for one another and avoid at-risk behaviors. The peer-to-peer program focuses on assessment, training, observations, and feedback. Employees compliment one another on safe behaviors and positively intervene when necessary to correct at-risk behaviors. All observations are made voluntarily, and no one is observed without their permission.

So far, more than 800 observations have been made on the TCSU. "TSC allows us to do our jobs safely, while looking out for one another and concentrating on railroading," said Chad Pickering, conductor and member of the implementation team (I team) in Eagle Grove, Iowa.

"We're very happy with the progress that's been made in the Twin Cities," said Wayne Kennedy, general director-fuel conservation. In addition to promoting the successful Fuel Masters program, Kennedy's group is supporting the rollout of TSC across the entire railroad. The group is building on its experience working with locomotive engineers on fuel conservation and developing positive relationships with union representatives.

Wade Nelson, welder and TSC facilitator in Mason City, Iowa, has total confidence in the program. "It's employee driven! People need to understand the employees are behind this process and support it 100 percent. It's confidential, there are no quotas, and if they watch it in action, they'll see it works."

When asked how well TSC is progressing, Locomotive Engineer Barry Dandridge of Des Moines, Iowa, replied, "More and more often, we're getting people to think about safety. TSC has opened up communication between crafts and provided tools for the support of safety everyday. Employees overall have a positive reaction to the process, and we're glad to have it."