SAFETY ALERTS

Two similar suspicious incidents recently were reported across the railroad industry and to the American Association of Railroads (AAR). In one incident, a Canadian Pacific employee observed two males driving a gray sedan seeking access to a metropolitan-area rail bridge. The pair claimed to be with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), but when the CP employee asked for identification, the two men returned to their vehicle and drove away. The CP employee immediately reported the incident, providing CP Special Agents with a description of the two individuals and the vehicle.

Union Pacific experienced a similar incident, where an employee noticed two males in a gray truck observing metropolitan-area tank car switching operations. These individuals also claimed to be FRA employees and when the UP employee asked for identification, the two individuals drove away.

In each case, the FRA confirmed it had no employees on official duties in the reported areas. The suspicious incidents are under investigation by railroad police and federal authorities.

If approached by someone claiming to be from a government agency, railroad employees should:

• Request credentials of all persons claiming to be an official government inspector or employee (FRA, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security or other agencies).

• Record the description (type, color, make, model, number of doors) and license plate number of suspicious vehicles.

• Stay vigilant for suspicious people, behaviors, activities, and objects at and near rail operations and infrastructure. This includes any items that are out of place, such as boxes on the right of way, or items attached to a rail car, bridge or tunnel; or occupied or abandoned vehicles in the right of way, yards or facilities.

• Report all trespassers, and suspicious incidents, people and packages on UP property, including rail fans, to RMCC at (888) UPRR-COP.

In addition, employees are reminded to be vigilant and remain alert for unusual activity on and around railroad property.

• Be aware of people who may ask probing questions about the railroad and its operations, either in person or via telephone, e-mail and other forms.

• Never disclose information about UP operations unnecessarily.

• Never discuss train movements, business data or any other information with anyone who does not have a "need to know." Be polite but firm in handling inquiries from individuals who do not have a "need to know."

• Never take action that will put you in harm's way.

• Call 911 followed by a call to the RMCC if you witness or experience a life-threatening situation.

Finally, employees should take the following steps to ensure all data is secure:

• Log off of terminal and network PCs or lock the terminal screen when leaving your work area, even for short periods of time.

• Do not leave laptops or mobile devices out of your line of sight or sitting unattended in airports, hotel lobbies, coffee shops or vehicles.

• Do not carry more sensitive information on a laptop than necessary. This includes company and personal information.

• Use strong passwords. In the event a laptop is stolen, users should not rely solely on the encryption. A strong password will help prevent thieves from gaining immediate access.  It might even deter them enough to give up.

• Do not share sensitive data or loan out use of your User ID to others.

• Frequently change passwords to avoid accidental discovery.

• Passwords should be memorized rather than written down.