C3RS — Identifying Safety Risks in Railroad Operations

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Q&A — About C3RS

What is the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS)?

C3RS is an FRA-funded demonstration project to improve safety practices. It is based on learning about potentially unsafe conditions, or close call events, that pose the risk of more serious consequences. The C3RS demonstration project is designed to help adapt a confidential reporting system to the needs of the U.S. railroad industry and to evaluate its effectiveness in improving safety. In addition to FRA, stakeholders include labor organizations, railroad carriers, BTS, and USDOT Volpe Center.

What is the Model Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)?

The MOU is a template developed by the Close Call Steering Committee that describes the core principles and values necessary to successfully implement a confidential reporting system. It also describes the C3RS demonstration project and explains the rights, roles, and responsibilities of project stakeholders. Each demonstration site must develop its own Implementing Memorandum of Understanding (IMOU) that is customized to address local concerns and interests.

What is the Implementing Memorandum of Understanding (IMOU)?

The IMOU is a document developed for a specific site and customized according to the model MOU by local labor representatives, management, BTS, and FRA. It outlines how C3RS works at the site; defines the rights, roles, and responsibilities of all stakeholders; and describes how the system will operate. It is used in conjunction with existing collective bargaining agreements. Each demonstration site must develop its own IMOU that is tailored to the needs of local stakeholders while remaining consistent with the principles and values set forth in the model MOU. The purpose of the IMOU is to obtain full agreement from all parties to cooperate in the C3RS demonstration project.

How does C3RS work?

The confidential reporting system:
  • Provides an environment in which railroad employees can voluntarily and confidentially report close calls without fear of discipline or punishment.
  • Accepts close call reports.
  • Stores confidential data.
  • Analyzes close calls to identify trends and new sources of risk.
  • Distributes reports on trends and other information for use by participating parties.
  • Tracks carriers' corrective action reports to measure the system's impact on safety.
  • Identifies ways to improve the system's effectiveness.

Who can take part in C3RS?

Employees who are included in written IMOUs can participate in C3RS. Only eligible employees from carriers participating in the demonstration project will receive protection from discipline. Eligible employees and the conditions under which they receive protection are described in the IMOU for each demonstration site. Anyone submitting a report to BTS will receive confidential treatment.

How many carriers are using C3RS?

Two: Union Pacific's North Platte Service Unit in Nebraska and Canadian Pacific’s facility in Chicago Service Unit Area Road Territory, Wisconsin.

How do carriers, labor organizations, and FRA use C3RS data?

Data are used to improve safety through:
  • Learning why reported unsafe events occurred
  • Assessing risks and allocating resources to address them
  • Taking corrective action to address factors contributing to unsafe events
  • Sharing lessons learned within and among sites about why unsafe events occurred and how corrective action was taken to address them

What are the benefits of C3RS?

C3RS provides the following benefits:
  • The chance to learn what happened in close call incidents industrywide and to use the information to prevent similar incidents from recurring
  • Improved trust and partnerships among FRA, railroads, and labor unions
  • Increased efficiency, cost savings, and return on investment from reduced claims and litigation as well as from training that targets skills shown to be lacking in the analysis of close calls
  • More time to focus on getting into the field and running a safe operation because of fewer investigations
  • Safer communities nationwide

What close call events are accepted by C3RS?

Event Category Example
Event occurs frequently with minor consequences Almost running through a switch
Event occurs infrequently with potential for major consequences Train proceeding beyond its authority in dark territory
Event is below FRA reporting threshold* Minor wheel derailment in yard operation

*FRA reporting threshold for 2007 is $8,500.

You can report close calls that happen to either you or someone else.

When an event incurring damages of less than the FRA reporting threshold is observed by a manager in real time, can the event be reported as a close call?

Yes, but there will be no protection from discipline, FRA de-certifications, or other sanctions.

What close call events are outside the scope of C3RS?

Events are not accepted if they:
  • Occur outside boundaries indicated in the IMOU
  • Result in intentional damage to operations or equipment or injure other individuals
  • Involve the deliberate endangerment of others
  • Involve criminal offenses or falsified information
  • Involve substance abuse or inappropriate use of controlled substances
  • Involve reportable accidents/incidents (49 CFR and 225.1)
  • Involve hazmat release
  • Are real-time observations reported to carrier management or are a part of operations testing

Can an injury be reported using C3RS?

All injuries are excluded from C3RS protections but may be reported to BTS.

Can a C3RS report be used instead of safety processes such as the Hazardous Condition Report to report conditions requiring immediate response?

No, C3RS reporting does not change existing safety processes.

Why should I report a close call?

Information from your close call report will make the work environment safer and healthier for you and your coworkers. The information that you provide will enable your railroad to identify factors that contribute to accidents or injuries and to correct these problems before they result in harm. It will also contribute to improved productivity through reductions in time lost from injuries, decreased damage to railroad property and the environment, and less time required to move customers' goods. Find out how to report a close call.

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To initiate a close call report, call C3RS at (866) 683-9265 or (888) LOV-C3RS

U.S. Department of TransportationSponsored by the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration

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