Strong safety culture drives results at Lamberts Point

Apr 16, 2026

By Martin Wattenbarger, Senior Communications Manager

At Norfolk Southern’s Lamberts Point terminal, safety performance over the past year reflects more than a milestone. It’s a culture shaped by accountability, commitment, and a shared belief in looking out for one another.

Across the terminal, teams have reached one year injury free, while others continue streaks measured in years. The progress is a product of how people show up every day, how work gets done, and how teams work together.

A shared reset and renewed focus

Over the past year, Lamberts Point reinforced a clear and consistent approach to safety.

Leaders and employees aligned around a shared expectation: safety is a core value that guides every decision. When something doesn’t look, sound, or feel right, employees are expected to pause, speak up, and ensure work is done safely.

That focus has helped teams address concerns early and create a more reliable operating environment across the terminal that ultimately improves service for our customers.

One team, one standard

Lamberts Point brings together Transportation, Mechanical, and Engineering teams, each with different responsibilities but the same expectations.

Leaders emphasize that safety performance is not owned by a single department. It is the result of teams working together under a shared standard.

“This isn’t about one department,” said Leo Russell, Assistant Superintendent. “It’s a Lamberts Point story. This is one team.”

That approach has strengthened coordination across crafts and helped teams work with greater clarity and confidence.

Members of the Lamberts Point Local Safety and Service Committee

Speak Up culture in action

One of the biggest drivers of improvement at Lamberts Point is how employees engage around safety.

They are encouraged to speak up, stop if they are uncertain about anything, and address issues immediately. Leaders consistently support those decisions, reinforcing trust across the workforce.

“The interactions with our employees are very genuine,” said Chad Parker, Superintendent of Mechanical Operations. “Nothing is more important than our team’s safety, and the buy‑in from our railroaders has been outstanding.”

That approach has helped teams prevent incidents, reduce disruption, and maintain steady, predictable operations.

Local leadership and engagement

A key contributor to that progress is the frontline leadership of the Lamberts Point Local Safety and Service Committee.

Led by craft employees, the committee focuses on identifying risk, raising concerns, and pushing practical solutions forward. For co‑chairs Jeffrey Matthews and Brittany Siegel, the work reflects their culture.

“It shows the trust we have in each other,” Matthews said. “People feel comfortable speaking up, and that makes a real difference in how we work together. It takes all of us.”

That trust creates space for open dialogue, stronger participation, and peer‑to‑peer accountability that shows up in daily decisions across the pier.

“Engaging your colleagues in a genuine way is absolutely crucial,” said Cliff Melton, Director of Coal Piers. “We make ourselves available to one another at all times. That matters.”

Building on what works

Reaching one year injury free across multiple teams is an accomplishment worth recognizing, but at Lamberts Point, the focus is not on a date or a finish line.

It’s about building on the culture that made it possible.

Listen, engage, and Speak Up
Stop any time there is a question, concern, or lack of clarity
Look out for each other and be accountable

That commitment continues to shape how work gets done at Lamberts Point — and how teams plan to keep moving forward together.

Martin Wattenbarger leads internal communications for Norfolk Southern Operations, with an emphasis on safety culture and performance, operational excellence, and employee engagement. He joined NS in 2020, bringing nearly 20 years of combined strategic communications experience in the private and public sectors.