January Safety, Cost, and Service Priorities

Sean Ireland

Good morning, team. Hope everyone managed to squeeze in a bit of rest over the holidays, or maybe you’re still shaking off that first week back feeling—trust me, I get it. And for those who kept things rolling during the break, honestly, thank you, it makes a difference. Now, you probably remember we wrapped up 2025 with a big focus on where we’ve improved, especially on safety. But just because we talked about “blended safety approaches” doesn’t mean we’re suddenly out of the woods.

Sean Ireland

So here we are, January, and we’ve got work to do. I’ve gotta start with safety because, well, you know me, it’s always at the top of my mind—and it should be for everyone. Already this year, we’ve had a human factor train accident, a run-through switch. That’s, um, not the way anyone wants to get started, right? Last January, just to jog everyone’s memory, we had twenty-three—yeah, twenty-three—human factor train accidents. Most of those came down to shoving events that ended up with either a run-through switch or a side swipe. Not our proudest stretch, let’s be honest.

Sean Ireland

That’s why this month, we’re doubling down on shoves and switches, especially around our switching leads and at industries. It’s not just about repeating “be careful” either. We’re rolling out that standardized shove briefing sheet—use it at every job safety briefing. And I really want to see those 80/20 conversations. Ask questions, check each other’s thinking, don’t just race through the checklist. We’ve all probably nodded through a briefing at some point when our minds are on, I dunno, lunch or whatever, but that’s what trips us up, literally. We’re also putting more emphasis on exposure reduction this week, really targeting those shoves and falls from height—those spots where we know people get hurt.

Sean Ireland

Now, operational testing is a big one—if you’re on a shift, you’re seeing those Two Switch tag tests, that’s Test 14, at least two per shift, and on top of our usual four a week. If you’re in Selkirk, just keep following Kevin Radford’s hump plan. Oh, and heads up—Wednesday’s our regional ERD day; you don’t need to do the daily operational test, just focus on the engagement. And for our assistant superintendents listening, I’m expecting four infield coaching validations—two job safety briefings or exposure reduction sessions, two operational tests. Doesn’t need to be perfect, just be present and reinforce expectations, especially this first week back when everyone’s a bit rusty from vacation.

Sean Ireland

Shifting gears—let’s talk cost. If you’ve worked with me long enough, you know it’s not about pinching pennies just for the sake of it; it’s about keeping the rails rolling and putting money where it’s most needed. So, this year, more than ever, we’re on a mission to control overtime, reduce holdovers, and rein in claims. The holdovers in particular—honestly, with our current crew situation, there’s no excuse for ‘em now. If you catch yourself about to authorize a holdover, stop and double check—seriously, don’t just click approve out of habit.

Sean Ireland

And a quick policy reminder, because this is one people sometimes slip up on—every expense with your one card, attaches a receipt. I know, it’s a pain, especially if you’re in a rush, but finance is watching closely and we want to keep control. If you miss a receipt, it’s gonna come back to you and frankly, nobody needs that kind of extra hassle.

Sean Ireland

Now, turning to service—which, I mean, is what ties it all together: we can have the safest, leanest railroad in the world but if we’re not keeping our service up, everything else falls flat. Coming out of the holidays, there’s always a bit of backlog, cars that didn’t move or missed connections, you name it. The focus this week is clearing those backlogged cars and sticking to our local service plans. If there’s a hiccup—say a car’s about to hit that 32-hour mark—don’t wait for a miracle. Get eyes on it, make the move, advance it and keep the trip plans on track.

Sean Ireland

We’re aiming, plain and simple, for zero 32-hour cars. Which, yeah, maybe sounds a bit ambitious, but I’d rather set the bar high and clear it together. In past episodes we talked about how routine discipline and that “just move it before it’s a problem” approach pays off. Now’s the time to actually do it, instead of just talking about it.

Sean Ireland

Quick reminder—Wednesday, we’ve got our Regional Safety Call at five o’clock, and then January 14th is the Q4 Regional Townhall at 4:30.

Sean Ireland

Alright, that’s where we’re at for January—safety is front and center, costs get tighter, and our service goals are aggressive, but doable. Let’s start this year stronger than last. I’ll check in again soon, and, like always, if you’ve got feedback or spot a win or a challenge, send it over. Thanks for listening, team, and let’s stay safe out there.