Union Pacific Workers Report Few Injuries in 2011

Union Pacific says its workers reported so few injuries last year that 2011 was the railroad’s safest year ever.

The Omaha-based railroad said Tuesday that its rate of injuries per 200,000 work hours declined to 1.15 in 2011.

The company’s previous best injury rate was set in 2010 when Union Pacific reported 1.37 injuries per 200,000 work hours.

Union Pacific vice president Bob Grimaila says the low injury rate reflects UP’s efforts to improve safety and reduce accidents.

Union Pacific is the nation’s largest railroad with a network of 32,400 miles of track in 23 states.