While many Pittsburgh area residents may not realize it, hazardous materials are transported through the area all the time. In fact, individlals employed by Norfolk Southern Railway are around such materials on a regular basis. Chemicals being transported include:

• Ferric chloride
• Sulfuric acid
• Refrigerated carbon dioxide
• Propylene

The exposure to such chemicals could cause serious harm. In the case of propylene for example, oxygen is taken from the air making it impossible to breathe. This could quickly lead to death for someone who is around a leak or spill.

Understanding such exposure could put its employees at risk, Norfolk Southern said that safety is one of its top priorities. As a part of its safety plan, area emergency responders are trained by the employer. In addition, it also provides those responders with support.

The safety standards the railroad has in place likely help the workers feel more at ease about their occupation as few individuals living in Pennsylvania are interested in accepting a job in which their lives are regularly put on the line.

In the United States it is the responsibility of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, to create safety standards for employers throughout the country. In addition to creating the standards, it also conducts investigations to make sure they are being followed. In situations where it is determined that a violation has occurred, fines, which are supposed to act as a deterrent, may be proposed.

While avoiding a situation that leads to worker injury altogether is of course the best outcome, most employers are required to carry a workers' compensation policy. This makes it possible for the injured party to receive benefits after such an injury.

Source: WPXI, "Channel 11 investigates dangerous chemicals being transported through Pittsburgh," April 29, 2013