Union Pacific Railroad recognises transportation safety achievements

63 companies received Union Pacific Railroad’s annual Pinnacle Award for chemical transportation safety. The award recognises Union Pacific customers that implemented successful prevention and corrective plans and achieved a rate of zero non-accident releases (NARs) for regulated hazardous materials shipments.

"It's our honour to recognise companies that share Union Pacific's commitment to safety and the elimination of chemical releases," said Beth Whited, Union Pacific's Vice President and General Manager – Chemicals. "Union Pacific is dedicated to helping customers develop and sustain procedures that support the safe transport of the nation's chemicals from products used to purify drinking water to the ingredients required for life saving pharmaceuticals."

The Pinnacle Award programme, which began in 1996, is open to all Union Pacific hazardous material shippers, including chemical and petrochemical customers. Criteria include safe loading techniques, shipment securement and zero NARs. A non-accident release is an unintentional release of hazardous material during transportation not caused by an accident or train derailment.

Non-accident releases of hazardous materials in tank cars have declined 10% on Union Pacific's network from 2008 to 2014, due in part to increased inspections and training offered by the railroad's hazardous materials safety field personnel and customers adhering to the Pinnacle Award criteria.

Union Pacific serves the large chemical complexes along the Gulf Coast. Roughly two thirds of the company's chemical business originates, terminates or travels through this area. The railroad's chemical transportation network also serves chemical producers on the West Coast and in the Rocky Mountain Region, including the world's largest soda ash reserve, located in Green River, Wyoming.

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/petrochemicals/23042015/union-pacific-railroad-recognises-chemical-transportation-safety-achievements-647/