Norfolk Southern awards US rail shippers for safe handling of chemicals

Norfolk Southern Corp. announced Friday that 60 chemical customers will receive the Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award for their safe business practices in 2013. 

Collectively, these customers safely shipped more than 157,000 carloads of hazardous chemical products over the railroad's network during the year.

The award, given annually for 18 years, goes to chemical manufacturers and facilities that ship at least 1,000 carloads of hazardous product on Norfolk Southern without a single incident. In 2013, 55 corporations and five plants achieved the standard.

Carload shipments included industrial chemicals used to manufacture various consumer goods, crude petroleum, ethanol, and fertilizers. While essential to the US economy and consumers, these chemicals are classified as federally regulated hazardous materials and are potentially dangerous if mishandled.

Norfolk Southern works closely with chemical customers throughout the year to ensure their product arrives safely to destination, including offering training in safe rail-shipping practices.

"We commend these valued business partners for their absolute commitment to safety," said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. "Their efforts might not make news headlines, but the safe movement of chemicals that are the building blocks to jobs and a strong economy is the good news story that occurs every day across our rail network. We thank these customers for helping us demonstrate that rail is the safest, most efficient, and environmentally friendly way to transport consumer goods."

Customers earning the Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award for 2013 are: