Wednesday, August 13, 2014

After Chemical Spill, New Jersey Senator Calls for Stricter Rail Regulations

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The Washington Times reports that a New Jersey senator is calling for tougher consequences for railroads that violate safety rules. Democrat Robert Menendez cites a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as his motivation.

The NTSB report details “systemic problems” that led to a derailment and chemical spill in Paulsboro, NJ. Exposure to high levels of vinyl chloride in the aftermath has been linked to dizziness, breathing problems and even death for nearby citizens.

Train operator Conrail has been blamed for the derailment, based on its use of a problematic swinging bridge despite repeated issues. NTSB also says Conrail took too long to shared detailed information with local emergency medical responders.

Menendez says his plan entails the following:
  • harsher penalties for railroad safety violations;
  • requiring railroads to alert local emergency management officials if transporting of hazardous materials;
  • implementing new safety procedures for rail workers when signal lights are red;
  • improving risk assessment tools for railroads;
  •  educating communities about hazardous materials passing through on trains.

Mendez says allowing railroads to self-regulate matters of safety simply is not good enough, and the Paulsboro case is evidence enough.

“Paulsboro is an example that it’s not good enough,” Menendez says. “It just cannot be the cost of doing business, that you have an occasional derailment.”