Safety Rules Prevent Theft

A sharp eye and the enforcement of a standard safety rule recently saved 13 computers on BNSF property.

It’s simple, says Jim Brix, assistant hub manager of Logistics Park . On the Chicago Division, trailers are supposed to have orange cones around them for protection.

Recently, Brix was working the night shift when he was searching for a UPS trailer and noticed a truck parked beside another trailer, but there weren’t any of the bright orange cones around the trailer. This caught Brix's attention, and then he noticed that people were loading computers in a ramp trailer.

Whoever was loading the trailer wasn’t protecting him, says Brix, who tries to be attentive to safety hazards. "I walked in there to tell them to work safely, when I heard a bunch of people dropping stuff and running," he says.

Startled, Brix left to get help. He soon realized what was happening and returned to find a BNSF contractor with 13 computers in the back of his truck.

"If we hadn’t caught them, there would have been a loss for BNSF," says Brix, who put safety first by calling the Resource Protection Solutions Team (RPST) immediately.

BNSF Police arrested the contractor and placed him in custody.

Brix, a three-year employee, went above and beyond to recognize the crime as it unfolded, but he remains modest. "I only feel like I was doing my job," says Brix.

Because of Brix's attention to detail, he prevented a theft by following the proper procedures and calling RPST first. Brix was nominated for an "On Guard" award for his attentiveness.

RPST recommends the following measures for safety:

• Recognize trespassers or unusual circumstances not consistent with the work environment
• Record details, including descriptions of people, vehicles and locations, and circumstances
• Report information to the Resource Protection Solutions Team at 800-832-5452.

Also use the following tips to reduce the chances of theft:

1) Park equipment such as trailers, welders and generators in well-lighted locations, preferably where staffed or in areas highly trafficked by employees.

2) When equipment will not be used for extended periods of time, it should be taken to a secure facility. And,

3) Keep records of serial numbers and other identification markings readily available, but not in the same area the equipment is stored in.

4) Keep digital photographs of high-value items, photos make identification much easier for law enforcement and the images can be used to create flyers or reward posters.

5) Mark items with numbers unique to the owner and record the numbers.

6) Also consider all company policies and inquire as to any protection available from credit card companies regarding insurance of rental equipment. Depending on the situation, insurance from the rental agency might be worthwhile.

For more information on the On Guard program, go to the Resource Protection Intranet site and click Protection Solutions. Or go directly to: http://www.bnsf.com/resourceprotection/html/on_guard.html.