It Starts with Culture.
SLSI’s objective is to enhance the safety culture and safety performance of railroads through meaningful and productive partnerships. SLSI’s primary activity is conducting Safety Culture Assessments (SCAs) at railroads. Assessments are voluntary, confidential, and non-punitive and use multiple data research methods as part of a rigorous safety culture assessment methodology. Based on a systematic review of the academic literature, SLSI’s SCA process has been identified as the most robust safety culture assessment model in the U.S. railroad industry.
In-Person Programs
Safety Culture Assessment (SCA):
The SCA is conducted onsite by a team of SLSI professionals. It combines an online employee survey, onsite employee interviews, safety documents reviews and field observations to produce an in-depth evaluation of a railroad’s safety culture, reviewed using the Ten Core Elements of a Strong Safety Culture. The SLSI team also provides resources and tools to help railroads address areas of opportunity.
Other Support
Technical Assistance:
SLSI offers additional assistance to railroads seeking to strengthen their safety culture. Examples include helping design a Safety Action Plan, engaging in strategies to improve safety communications and offering assistance in building the structure and functionality of a Safety Committee.
Follow-Up Assessment:
Railroads that have participated in an initial SCA can request a follow-up assessment, which is an opportunity to re-examine their safety culture. A follow-up assessment establishes a new baseline for the railroad, identifies improvements made since the original assessment and identifies new opportunities to continue improving the safety culture on the railroad.
Online Resources
Safety Tips:
These brief educational documents provide overviews of a variety of safety-related topics such as communication, protection from extreme weather, mutual trust and more. Safety Tips are available in PDF format for use in training and communications purposes.
Safety Minute Videos:
These are made to accompany Safety Tips and offer a brief video version of the information covered in the Safety Tip, which can be used in safety briefings.
Safety Posters:
SLSI has produced posters that convey messages about safety communication and positive attitudes. These posters are free to download, are available in English and Spanish and can be customized with an organization’s logo.
SLSI Safety Programs and Resources
Click each link to go directly to the listed SLSI page.
Participants Praise the Safety Culture Assessment Process and Other SLSI Resources
“The Short Line Safety Institute has helped elevate safety awareness across our organization. Their programs go beyond compliance – they foster a shared mindset where safety is seen as everyone’s responsibility. Their work has been instrumental in helping small railroads like ours create a culture where every voice matters.”
Jennifer White, President, Carolina & Western Railroad
“Overall, our railroads that engaged with SLSI programs demonstrated positive trends in safety culture growth, including better safety action plans, improved reporting systems, and enhanced recognition of safe work practices.”