CN’s second annual Safety Week was held from June 10 to 14 with special gatherings across the entire network to remind employees that nothing is more important than returning home safely to their loved ones.

The week kicked off with field visits by all work groups and members of CN’s senior leadership team, connecting with employees in terminals and stations at 33 whistle stops along CN’s Eastern, Western and Southern Regions as well as at many other safety events along the way. Thousands of employees across the network joined in discussions about running a safe and disciplined scheduled operation and what more we can do to work safely.

Rounding out the week, on June 13, CN brought about 150 guests together at the CN Campus in Winnipeg to recognize both current and retired employees for their achievements as safety leaders in 2023. Recipients included:

• CN’s Lifetime Leaders in Safety, who have remained injury-free their entire careers of 30 years or more in field operations.
• CN Leaders in Safety, representing teams who have achieved record-low injury ratios in the past year.
• Heroic Act Leaders, employees who have gone above and beyond in critical situations to keep their colleagues and communities safe.
• CN’s top Health and Safety Committees, who have contributed to the overall safety of their respective functions.

“One of the most important safety practices that must remain today is to instil and maintain a disciplined safety mindset in employees each time they step on company property. Remind them to take nothing for granted,” said Richard Kelly, a retired conductor from Hornepayne, ON, with a remarkable 51-years of service who spoke at the ceremony and received a Lifetime Leader in Safety award.

“Our team understands that they must do the right thing for the right reasons and that caring about safety means caring about people around you,” says Sanjay Bahl, General Manager, Field Operations, Western Region, who accepted a Leader in Safety Award on behalf of approximately 2,000 employees for their record-low injury ratio. “The job is never done and we must continue to make safety the most important thing every day.”

Tayler Kittle, a Conductor, was recognized for his heroic act of racing to the aid of a trespasser on the tracks who had been struck by a train. “It felt really special to be at the ceremony and a great experience to meet other people from the company only a year into my career,” says Tayler. “I got some good advice from experienced railroaders about safety, such as if something does not feel right, don’t do it. At the end of the day, you want to go home safely.”

Safety Week Celebration

The special ceremony was held at the CN Campus in Winnipeg.

Members of CN’s Top 3 Health and Safety Committees take their honours from Matthew McClaren, Vice-President, Safety (at left).

Recipients of the Heroic Acts Award, presented by Matthew McClaren, Vice-President, Safety (at left) and Derek Taylor, Executive Vice-President and Chief Field Operations Officer (at right).

Recipients of the Leaders In Safety Award with Patrick Whitehead, Executive Vice-President and Chief Network Operating Officer, and Matthew McClaren, Vice-President, Safety (at left).

Recipients of the Lifetime Leaders in Safety Award, presented by Tracy Robinson, President and CEO (at centre), and Matthew McClaren, Vice-President, Safety (at left).