SLSI to enhance support for safety culture change at small railroads

In late May, the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) released the annual Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) 2024 systematic review of the 20 safety culture assessments (SCA) conducted on short line and commuter railroads.

Based on the findings, the SLSI has identified the need to improve safety cultures and help smaller railroads create and implement safety action plans, SLSI officials said in a press release. The analysis identified the provision of personal protective equipment, employee empowerment, employee comfort with approaching management with safety concerns, accountability and coaching/mentoring as strengths in the assessed railroads.

Meanwhile, the opportunity to implement safety action plans was the main area for improvement, along with safety concern reporting systems and recognition of safe work practices, SLSI officials said.

"This year’s results identified creating and implementing Safety Action Plans as the most often noted opportunity area for improving Safety Culture, and SLSI is actively working to address that opportunity in SCAs conducted in 2025," said SLSI Director of Safety Culture Programs Sam Cotton.

An SCA is a voluntary review of a railroad's safety culture that is confidential and free to short line, regional, passenger, historic, tourist and commuter railroads. Railroads that have already completed SCAs can receive additional assistance to implement safety culture changes, SLSI officials said.