Process initiatives aim to make safety a systematic part of all railroad activities and to focus on the top causes of accidents and injuries.

Risk Management Policy

Our Risk Management Policy (PDF 30.4KB) outlines the key measures for ensuring a safe and secure working environment at CN which minimizes the risk of an injury or accident and delivers our customers' shipments damage-free. Authority and responsibility for implementing the policy is also described.

Risk Assessments

Risk Assessments allow CN employees to understand the potential safety hazards of railroad activities so they can take action to reduce risks. CN is striving to have risk assessment become second-nature in our safety practices as a means of keeping employees safe.

Safety Integration Plans

For the last ten years, CN has been using Safety Integration Plans (SIP) to safely integrate newly acquired railroads into the CN system. The SIP process looks at an acquisition's existing programs and practices in 17 key areas and allows CN to identify risks, mitigation and best practices before beginning the measured, step-by-step integration of rail operations.

For example, CN developed SIPs for the integration of the Quebec Railway Corporation (QRC) and the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E) to the company.

Job Safety Briefings

CN has established the practice of performing job safety briefings prior to the start of any work activity on the railroad. The briefings enable work teams to discuss possible safety hazards and emergency procedures that could be associated with the work to be performed.

Four-second focus

A tool that has been helping employees zero in on safety and minimize risks is the "Four-second focus". Employees take a few seconds prior to the start of any job to ask themselves four basic questions: do I have a clear understanding of the work to be performed; are there any immediate hazards; am I using the right tools and equipment for the job; are there specific safety rules or procedures to follow. Just four seconds to help employees work safer every day.

Safety Walkabouts

This initiative complements CN's efficiency testing and allows supervisors to observe employees at work and provide immediate feedback. The walkabouts also provide an opportunity for constructive two-way communication between supervisors and employees on safe work practices.

Train Riding

Supervisors ride aboard a train to observe employees on their runs, noting if rules are properly followed and using the opportunity to coach or correct performance.

Safety audits

CN conducts three levels of audits across the system – local, regional and system audits – to ensure we are complying with our Safety Management System and the law, and that employees are properly applying rules and procedures. Audit findings are addressed by each division at CN.