ASLRRA honors local safety person of the year

Keith LaPorte

Old Augusta Train

Keith LaPorte and Jacob Cripps

This article contains information press release information from ASLRRA.

Hattiesburg, Miss. - The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) honored two outstanding individuals for their career commitment to safety compliance and culture at the 2017 CONNECTIONS convention in Grapevine, Texas.

“My job is to oversee any maintenance or inspections or repairs that are done on a bridge. We have a 992 foot bridge over the leaf river and the federal government requires that we have a bridge inspection program in place…and so that’s what I’m doing right now. And as well as on the train crew. I have the responsibility of overseeing the bridge program.” Keith LaPorte, Bridge Program Manager, said.

LaPorte, Old Augusta Railroad was honored with the Safety Person of the Year Award. This award recognizes a non-management employee of a member railroad, who has never had to report personal injury in their career, works with management of their company to make their safety programs effective, exhibits a high degree of safety awareness, and contributes off-duty time to activities promoting safety awareness in the community.

"I sit on the board of directors for the Mississippi Operation life saver..and that’s just going out to the public and were talking to different groups and organizations about safety around railroads..how to protect themselves from being involved in a collision with a train.” LaPorte said.

Mr. LaPorte is also deeply committed to the community as well, serving on the Board of the Mississippi Operation Lifesaver, furthering their goal of educating the traveling public about the potential dangers involved with railroad management employee who demonstrates an exceptional work ethic and dedication to safety.