Paul Duncan, Norfolk Southern’s Chief Operating Officer, will discuss the work of NS’ Operations teams in a new video series called From the Ballast Line, a Conversation with Paul Duncan. In each video, Duncan will provide an update on NS’ strategic priorities and performance.

Safety is the first topic of the series. Here’s what he had to say:

A strong safety culture starts with leadership

First and foremost, enhancing our safety culture starts with us as leaders. We know as leaders that we set the tone, tone is what influences culture, and that culture is what drives ultimately the safety outcomes that we see.

Our top priority when we talk about safety is ensuring that we are getting everyone home in the same way they came.

Involving labor leaders to enhance our safety culture together

We know that in order to enhance our safety culture it's going to take all of us. It was very important this year that we engaged with our labor leaders. We’ve met with senior leaders at the national level, our general chairman, and our local chairman to ensure that that message is being carried forward and that we are enhancing the safety culture together.

Safety is part of our long-term vision

Safety is part of our long-term vision. We want to safely deliver reliable and resilient service for our customers. This is part of our strategic vision. We know that in order to grow, in order to service our customers, everything is going to start with safety. And it’s important for us that we deliver for our customers in a safe manner.  

There is no job so important that we cannot take the time to do it safely. Everything will start with safety at Norfolk Southern.