Securing the Chemicals Our Customers Produce and Americans Need
Railroads are the safest way to move the goods our customers produce and Americans use every day. For example, the U.S. government mandates that railroads haul chlorine, used to purify our drinking water, because railroads are the safest transportation mode for this chemical. Securing the railroad and the goods that move on it enables Union Pacific to help ensure the security and safety of our nation and our way of life.
Increasing security and safety is the motive behind many of Union Pacific’s rules and policies, including implementation of the “No Bill, No Pull” policy. Without a proper bill, Union Pacific no longer pulls cars for chemical customers. Each waybill properly describes what a rail car contains, so crews pulling the cars can apply appropriate security and safety handling procedures.
Security extends to the “Chain of Custody and Control Requirements” policy that went into effect April 1, 2009. Customers must have a representative accept sensitive materials or Union Pacific’s crews will not deliver those sensitive shipments to them.
Union Pacific is working with customers, Dow Chemical Company and the Federal Railroad Association on new designs for chemical tank cars. In addition, UP sponsors training seminars for first responders through the TRANSCAER Responsible Care Partnership Program that was co-founded by Union Pacific and Dow Chemical.