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“The preliminary report discovered that the Norfolk Southern crew was working the practice beneath the velocity restrict and in an authorised method, but it’s clear the security mechanisms in place weren’t sufficient,” Mr. Shaw mentioned.
Federal investigators discovered {that a} wheel bearing on one of many practice’s vehicles had been heating up because the practice handed by means of Ohio, however that an alarm didn’t sound to alert the crew till it handed a sensor not removed from the place it derailed. Security specialists say the crew may have averted the catastrophe if there have been extra sensors nearer collectively on the route that the practice took.
The Nationwide Transportation Security Board mentioned on Tuesday that it had opened a particular investigation into the security practices at Norfolk Southern, which had suffered 5 important accidents since December 2021. One other of the corporate’s freight trains derailed close to Springfield, Ohio, on Saturday. Hours earlier than the listening to, one other Norfolk Southern practice had derailed in Alabama. In response to Katelyn Byrd, an organization spokeswoman, there have been no stories of accidents and launched hazardous supplies. Norfolk Southern’s accident charge has elevated over the previous 4 years, in response to a latest firm presentation.
On Capitol Hill on Thursday, Debra Shore, a regional administrator of the Environmental Safety Company, and Anne Vogel, the director of the Ohio Environmental Safety Company, assured lawmakers that the air and water high quality surrounding the group was protected and that the businesses had been persevering with to conduct testing.
“If the corporate fails to finish any of the E.P.A.-ordered actions, the company will instantly step in, conduct the mandatory work and drive Norfolk Southern to pay triple the fee,” Ms. Shore mentioned.
Senator Bernie Sanders, unbiased of Vermont, questioned Mr. Shaw about whether or not precision scheduled railroading, which entails reducing again on rail yard employees, inspectors and gear to stick to stricter practice schedules, has had a detrimental impact on security.
“I’ve been instructed by employees who work to your firm, and different rail firms, that they’re now being requested to do extra work with fewer employees, and that features security inspections,” Mr. Sanders mentioned. “So effectively earlier than this catastrophe in East Palestine, we’ve been instructed concerning the potential security hazards.”
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