SIRP – What is it and why do I care? In case you didn’t know, the Safety Issue Resolution Process (SIRP) is used to report an unsafe workplace condition. Such conditions can vary greatly and could include poor footing, damaged ladders, homeless encampments along the right of way and the various detritus associated (used needles, biological waste, etc.), truck safety concerns, bridge and other right-of-way safety hazards, etc. A SIRP should be submitted when you cannot self-correct a safety issue. In recent years the BNSF has made a process that was once simple much more difficult. Please do not let the BNSF tactics deter your right to a safe work environment. Every one of you deserves a safe work environment. Who wins when everyone turns a blind eye? It is certainly not the workers as they are the ones exposed to the hazard. We must report all unsafe conditions before something happens to you or a co-worker.
The Carrier’s recent action of making this tool much more difficult for the members to use, thus inhibiting your ability to properly report unsafe conditions, has prompted us to get involved in the process. Going forward, this committee has informed the BNSF that we will strongly encourage members (you) to fill out the SIRP form available on the company intranet. Once completed, since you can no longer input the SIRP into the system, you should email it to the responsible party if known (supervisor if unknown). Please copy your Safety Assistant, Manager, and the officers of this committee. You should then print a copy and retain it until you see the responsible party or your supervisor, at which time you should hand deliver it. Your Safety Assistant and this committee will monitor and help track that the issue gets properly logged and corrected. WHEN AN UNSAFE CONDITION IS FOUND, WE MUST REMEMBER TO PROTECT IT. Remember, our Railroad Brothers and Sisters depend on us to protect them.
If the Carrier insists on refusing to make hazard reporting as simple as possible, we will do it for them.
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