NS
NS recently joined Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and other leaders to celebrate the opening of Atlanta’s latest investment in public safety—the Atlanta Police Foundation’s Public Safety Training Center.
According to the Class I, this facility equips first responders with the real-world training they need to protect Georgia communities—strengthening emergency response capabilities city and statewide.
NS was responsible for:
- Helping to fund a new Fire Sttaion and a dedicated Safety Train.
- Making the Safety Train the permanent base for NS’s Operation Awareness Response (OAR) program in metro Atlanta.
- Reinforcing NS’s long-standing commitment to community safety.
“At Norfolk Southern, safety is a core value,” said NS SVP and Chief Legal Officer Jason Morris. “We are proud to support this new public safety training center—because when public and private sectors collaborate, we can make meaningful progress in protecting our communities.”
With more than 4,500 employees and 1,200 customers in Georgia, NS says its investment in public safety “strengthens the foundation for long-term growth and community resilience.”
CSX
At CSX’s Service Center in Cumberland, Md., one employee’s “keen observation and quick thinking” have led to a significant improvement in workplace safety, the Class I reported on April 29.
John “JJ” Ganoe, a machinist at the Cumberland facility, identified a recurring hazard involving forklift operators frequently mounting and dismounting their equipment to open a shop door. Recognizing the potential risk of falls and injuries, Ganoe proposed a practical solution: equipping the door with a garage door opener that forklift operators could control without leaving their vehicles.
Nathan Ramsey, Plant Superintendent at the Cumberland Locomotive Shop and Service Center, commended Ganoe’s initiative, saying the change has “contributed to a safer work environment.”
Ramsey explained that JJ’s suggestion is a “simple yet effective modification that directly reduces exposure by minimizing the need for forklifts to be placed close to the building.” He emphasized that JJ’s attention to detail reflects the attributes of the SAFE CSX culture where “we care, we speak up, and we work safely every day.”
The Cumberland Service Center, a bustling facility with a workforce of 148 employees, has embraced the use of employee feedback and proactive hazard identification to ensure safety remains the top priority, CSX noted.
The initiative is part of CSX’s ongoing focus on fostering a culture of safety and collaboration, according to the Class I. Ramsey emphasized that the company’s commitment to safety “extends beyond rhetoric.”
“We aren’t just setting high safety standards; we’re backing them up with deliberate actions,” Ramsey said. “We’re providing resources, training, listening to our employees, valuing their opinions and feedback, and working towards solutions together.”
Through efforts like Ganoe’s, CSX says it “continues to highlight the importance of safety and teamwork, ensuring employees across all locations operate in environments where their well-being comes first.”
