Confidential Close Call Reporting System

Questions and Answers — Union Pacific, North Platte Service Unit

1. What are the boundaries of the UP C³RS pilot project?
2. Will relief crews working within the boundaries be covered by the pilot project?
3. What close call events are accepted by C³RS?
4. How do I report a close call?
5. What happens after I call in my report?
6. What does a C3RS report look like?
7. Are there conditions for receiving protection?
8. Why do the boundaries of the pilot project exclude CP employees in adjacent territories?
9. When an event incurring damages of less than the FRA reporting threshold is observed by a manager in real time, can the event be reported as a close call?
10. Are PRT members permanent?

1. What are the boundaries of the UP C³RS pilot project?
   Milepost (MP) 506.35 Sidney Subdivision, MP 150 Kearney Subdivision, MP 166 South Morrill Subdivision, Yoder Subdivision, MP 146 Marysville Subdivision, and MP 81.1 Julesburg Subdivision.
2. Will relief crews working within the boundaries be covered by the pilot project?
   Yes, providing the crew they were relieving were covered. The relief crew will not be covered for subsequent trips outside the boundary.
3. What close call events are accepted by C³RS?

   Event Category	Example
   Event occurs frequently with minor consequences	Almost running through a switch
   Event occurs infrequently with potential for major consequences	Train proceeding beyond its authority in dark territory
   Event is below FRA reporting threshold	Minor wheel derailment in yard operation

4. How do I report a close call?
   • Call in your report to BTS using the secure toll-free telephone number (866) 683-9265 or (888) LOV-C3RS. Leave your information on the secure answering machine; you will receive a callback to confirm receipt of your message.
   • Call in the report within 48 hours after the event occurs to receive protection from discipline.
   • Mail the completed from to BTS within three calendar days, not counting weekends and Federal Holidays, from the date of the phone call.
5. What happens after I call in my report?
   • BTS team member who takes your call passes on your report for further analysis to long-time railroaders with special training.
   • BTS conducts a telephone interview with you to learn about the event.
   • BTS determines if the event qualifies as a close call.
   • BTS mails you a receipt with a C³RS event confirmation number to confirm that the report was received, that the event qualifies as a close call, and that you are eligible for protection.
   • BTS de-identifies the report.
   • BTS enters event information into a database, summarizes it, and prepares a report.
   • BTS sends the summary report to the carrier's peer review team PRT.
   • PRT identifies factors contributing to the accident and recommends corrective action to the carrier.
   • Carrier reviews recommendations and implements corrective action.
   • PRT evaluates the effectiveness of the corrective action and reviews it with BTS.
   • BTS shares information to close call reporting employee at employee's request.
6. What does a C3RS report look like?
   View a sample completed report.
7. Are there conditions for receiving protection?
   Yes. For an employee to receive protection, the following conditions must be met:

   • The employee's action or lack of action was not intended to damage carrier operations, equipment, and/or personnel.
   • The employee reports the unsafe condition to BTS within 48 hours of noting it, and BTS accepts the report.
   • The employee mails a formal, written close call report to BTS within three calendar days after the phone call.
   • The employee's carrier has an active IMOU with FRA.
   • The employee violates a law, regulation, or operating rule under a direct order from a supervisor.
8. Why do the boundaries of the pilot project exclude CP employees in adjacent territories?
   To prove the value of the C³RS concept, the demonstration pilot project requires measurement of incidents and other measures within a discrete area . The North Platte crew base will be the discrete area for launching the pilot and collecting baseline measures.
9. When an event incurring damages of less than the FRA reporting threshold is observed by a manager in real time, can the event be reported as a close call?
   Yes, but there will be no protection from discipline, FRA de-certifications, or other sanctions.
10. Are PRT members permanent?
    The union members are appointed by their respective General Chairmen. There is no requirement for periodic replacement but members have been replaced.

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