In yesterday’s TRAINS NEWSWIRE There was an item referencing the AMTRAK instituting a new program called “Close Call” to give employees the ability to report ANY incindent or events that could cause of have caused ‘Accidents’. It is to be available to all AMTRAK employees to report anonymously those events to management.
Linked here is a pretty thorough explanation from the Jacksonville (FLA.) Examiner.com website:
author is Leo King, Jacksonville Transportation Examiner
In my mind it kind of smacks a little of ‘Big Brother’ tactics, but it seems to have the blessings of the UTU’s big shots in the JaxFl area, specifically.
I could appreciate that in any area of their operations environment a mishap could occur that would either injur an employee or do damage at some level to the equipment, and steps taken to protect the health and safety of employees in the AMTRAK operational; environment.
But it leads me to wonder, because no where in this initiative is it mentioned the potential for all manor of havoc caused by grade crossing accidents (North Carolina’s) State Passenger Operation seems to have a particularly frequent occurrance of grade crossing incursions. I would also guess that AMTRAK as well has many grade crossing incursions that result in near misses as well as physical impacts between trains and vehicular traffic.
Many freight locomotives have forward facing cameras now. Do the AMTRAK locomotives not carry cameras as well? Yet no where in the writings on the "Close
“Big Brother tactics?” A very skewed view of a safety program. In the book/movie 1984, Big Brother was a body that did the monitoring, and no effort was made to mask the identity of the people involved in any incident, and definately no provision for lack of punitive measures.
Railroading is a heavy industry, and the potential for safety hazards is mind boggling. The more eyes you have watching for the potential problems the more likely the problem can be corrected before loss of life or property. The provision to be able to report these potential problems without fear of management or fellow worker reprisals is more likely to get them reported And as the cliche goes “the life you save may be your own.”
Big-Brother-ish? Possibly to some extent. But certainly it is not too different from being able to call the cops about drunk drivers or aggressive drivers. And as much as I have decried about Big Brother’s intrusions into our personal lives, there is not too much we can do about it anymore–the system is already in place, fully supported by a fearful population of sheeple.
However, on the other hand, if some dolt is doing something dangerous that could put myself or my friends or family at risk, I want this person to at least be made aware of the potential results of his bad decisions.
Gee, when I think back to railroading (and life in general) in the US during the 70’s, and how relaxed the culture was then compared to now…
The term I used, Big Brother does carry some serious, and repressive connotations. Of course, railroading IS a heavy industry, and even operating within the rules can be dangerous. I guess, I was letting some of my own prejudices get in the way of clearer thinking. Zardoze is correct in saying the managerial/business environment these days is much more intense than it has been in the past. It seeems that every action and reaction carries some kind of legal reprecussions, no matter how many rules are in place, or the differences in interpretations are brought to an explanation. Lawyers! I guess you have to love 'em, in order to hate 'em! [:#]
“In my mind it kind of smacks a little of ‘Big Brother’ tactics”?
If I understand your comment, reporting problems to improve safety is bad, and helping incompetent or just plain disobedient people cover their tracks is the honorable course of action.
This program sounds like its for employee screw-ups, not public screw ups.
No one is born a RRer. We all make mistakes. If someone violates a rule, it is for one of two reasons - they either don’t know better, or they do and don’t care. The first is a training issue. The second - well, that needs to be addressed. We are all somewhat incompetent when we start out.
This program has the best intentions, I’m sure - but I hope it stays that way. Last thing we need is people throwing each other out of the bus to kiss up to management or tattling over the dumbest of stuff.
From the article the OP linked to:
“The regional peer review teams will strive to identify risks that might be reduced or eliminated through corrective action, such as improved training, changes in physical plant, changes in existing federal safety laws or regulations, or changes in carrier operating rules.”
Sounds like a good plan - I wish them success, and hope others follow suit.