Attention News Editors:

QNS&L Employees Tap Into System To Improve Fatigue Management

    SEPT-ISLES, QC, Oct. 6 /CNW/ - The Quebec North Shore and Labrador
Railway has won the Railway Association of Canada's 2008 Safety award for
giving their employees a more direct connection to crew calling as part of
their fatigue management program.
    Cliff Mackay, President and CEO of the RAC, said the initiative uses the
Internet to help employees plan their rest periods more efficiently and
increase the safety of their operations.
    The main benefit is that employees don't depend on receiving a call to
work from their supervisor. Information is updated every five hours, there are
no other operators on the rail line and the system is password protected.
    The annual Safety and Environmental Awards program was created in 2005 by
the Railway Association of Canada, which represents some 55 freight and
passenger railways, to encourage workers to adopt safe, environmental
practices and operational techniques. They transport 75 per cent of surface
freight in the country, move 67.9 million passengers annually and generate
only three per cent of the country's transportation greenhouse gas emissions.

For further information: Roger Cameron, Railway Association of Canada,
(613) 564-8097, rogerc@railcan.ca