Norfolk Southern Honors 57 Customers with 2024 Thoroughbred Safety Awards

Recognizing safe rail transport and shared commitment to protecting people, freight, and communities

For Norfolk Southern, safety is a core value—and our pursuit of safety excellence and a “Speak Up” culture is producing tangible results. In that spirit, today we proudly recognize 57 rail-served customers with our 2024 Thoroughbred Safety Awards for their outstanding commitment to safe rail transport of hazardous materials.

These award recipients originated or received 100% of their shipments in 2024 on Norfolk Southern’s network with zero non-accidental releases – reflecting the highest standards of care, collaboration, and shared responsibility to the public and the American economy.

“These awards celebrate customers who uphold rigorous safety practices that protect their teams, our employees, and the communities we serve,” said Ed Elkins, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “A safer railroad is a more fluid and reliable railroad. When we prioritize safety, our nation’s supply chain moves without disruption.”

“There’s no finish line in safety," said John Fleps, Chief Safety Officer. "These customers share our commitment to vigilance, accountability, and continuous improvement. Together, we’re building a safer railroad—one shipment at a time.”

2024 Thoroughbred Safety Award Recipients

Corporate Category – Customers recognized for outstanding safety and commitment to excellence:

Apex Oil, Arkema, BASF, BP North America, Cargill Inc, CHS, Cleveland-Cliffs Steel LLC, Corn LP, Covestro, Dow, Eastman, Elite Octane LLC, Energy Transfer Partners, LLC, Erco Worldwide, ExxonMobil Product Solutions, Flint Hills Resources, Imperial Oil, Kemira Water Solutions, Inc., LSB Chemical, Marathon Petroleum, MarkWest Energy Partners, Messer LLC, Norfalco Sales, Nouryon Chemicals, Nutrien, Phillips 66, Plains Midstream, Reagent Chemical and Research, Renewable Products Marketing Group, Shell Chemical, Shintech Inc., Southwestern Energy, The International Group, Inc., The Men and Women of PSC Group, United Refining Company, Valero Energy, Veolia.

Plant Category – Sites recognized for 100% safe rail shipments:

Archer Daniels Midland – Decatur, Delaware City Refining – Reybold, Marquis Energy – Hennepin, Olin – McIntosh, Poet – Alexandria, Poet – Elkhart, Poet – Portsmouth, The Andersons  - Clymers, The Andersons – Logansport, Toledo Refining Company – Toledo

Why It Matters

Railroads play a vital role in safely transporting essential hazardous materials—like water purification agents and fertilizers.

Through collaboration with regulators, advanced routing software, and rigorous hazmat railcar standards, railroads have reduced hazmat accident rates by 80% since 2005, according to FRA data. More than 99.99% of hazmat shipments by rail arrive without a release due to a train accident—making freight rail the safest way to move hazardous materials in the U.S.

Safety Results Backed by Progress

Norfolk Southern is achieving best-in-class safety performance while investing in innovation and education to make the network even safer for everyone:

• 40% reduction in mainline train accident rate in 2024—best among Class I railroads—with positive trends continuing in early 2025.
• Train accident rate is at the lowest levels Norfolk Southern has seen in the past 25 years.
• Ongoing safety leadership training across the company, equipping frontline and management teams, as well as customers, with the tools to strengthen our culture.
• Leading the industry in digital inspection technologies, including advanced AI-powered Digital Train Inspection portals and expanded acoustic bearing detection coverage.
• 5,600+ first responders trained in 2024 through our Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program.
• Expanded community outreach through Operation Lifesaver, helping reduce train-vehicle and train-pedestrian incidents through education and engagement.