Supporting customers’ growth through comprehensive safety training.

With the growth in the number of crude oil shipments on our network, CSX has geared up to provide safety training to shippers and receivers who are new to rail.

In conjunction with the refinery direct solution opening in September, CSX conducted training sessions for about 80 Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) refinery loaders, supervisors, safety and logistics personnel, focused on safe loading and unloading procedures for crude oil cars. In three sessions over a day and a half, PES employees attended classroom and hands-on sessions at the refinery and on a CSX safety train positioned at the adjacent TRANSFLO Eastside Yard in Philadelphia.

“Many of these shippers have tremendous experience in marine and pipe transport but are very new to rail,” said Gabe Treesh, CSX Director-Chemical Safety. “We are partnering with these shippers and receivers to educate them and promote safe rail practices.”

The classes and practice sessions covered general rail safety, loading/unloading do’s and don’ts, regulatory compliance, emergency response to railcar incidents and chemical hazard awareness.

“The drive to improve service to our customers comes in many forms throughout our organization,” said Dean Piacente, CSX Vice President-Chemicals and Fertilizers. “This training program is part of our larger goal to enhance safety awareness and preparedness among all our chemical customers and support them as they grow. This training will enhance the safety and efficiency of our employees, our customers and their employees, local emergency responders and the communities through which our trains move.”