Safety focus takes to the rails

Nutrien’s focus on safety doesn’t stop at the gates of our facilities.

With our agricultural products shipped by rail to the four corners of North America, Rail Safety Week (Sept. 15-21) is a time to remember the importance of safety as our products make the journey from our facilities to farm gates.

“Safety is at the heart of getting our products to farmers,” says Elan Strueby, Vice President, Transportation, Distribution & Logistics. “Watching a train pass by always reminds me of their immense size and power and how many trains travel through our communities every day. It’s important that we all recognize this and keep safety front of mind whenever we’re near trains or railway crossings.”

Potash produced in Saskatchewan is transported to port facilities on east and west coasts and across the United States, while phosphate and nitrogen products from southeastern states are supplied to retail outlets all over the continent. With nearly 170,000 miles (270,000 kilometres) of railroad tracks crisscrossing North America – enough to wrap around the planet almost seven times – we have a far-reaching interest in rail safety.

Even with heightened attention, there are typically more than 2,200 collisions annually between people and rail cars, resulting in hundreds of deaths.

For Krista Starkell, Co-ordinator, Potash Rail Operations in Saskatchewan, those statistics took on a very personal meaning when her mother had a close brush with a fast-moving train. Driving on a familiar road, her mother felt she had sufficient time to go through a crossing before the train arrived. She misjudged the distance and speed and narrowly made it across.

“Later, she told me how much the incident rattled her,” says Krista. “She realized how dangerous her split-second decision had been. No appointment, errand, or delay is worth gambling with your life. It’s a powerful reminder that trains can’t stop quickly, but we can.”

Nutrien places a strong emphasis on safety in partnership with our rail providers. We continually enhance rail safety at our sites and leverage advanced technology to improve information sharing and warning systems related to railcar loading and movement.

At our Redwater, AB, Nitrogen facility, the site team and IT department developed a system for real-life tracking of rail switch alignment. Every crew member now has digital access to this map, which they can consult before starting any rail movement. The tool helps ensure switches are correctly aligned and serves as a valuable training resource for new employees.

Nutrien is developing other solutions to improve rail safety at our operations, turning to technologies that can improve information and reduce the risk of human error.

“These innovations demonstrate Nutrien’s ongoing leadership in safety and operational excellence, setting new standards for technology adoption in rail yard environments,” says Kirk Brooks, Superintendent, Loadout, at Redwater.

Even as technology improves safety performance, each of us can reduce the risk of accidents and take steps to improve rail safety. To learn more about rail safety, we encourage you to visit:

• Operation Lifesaver - Canada

• See Rails? Think Train! – United States

Simple Tips for Rail Safety

• Always stop, look, and listen at railway crossings. Gates and signals are there for a reason – follow them every time.
• Keep your eyes and ears open. Trains can surprise you – many are faster and quieter than you would expect.
• Never walk, stand, trespass, or take photos on railway property – it’s risky and unsafe.