OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A union official says freight railcar inspections are happening less often and are not as thorough as before due to regulatory loopholes, time constraints and staff cuts.
The official testified Friday during the second day of a federal hearing in East Palestine examining the reasons behind a fiery train derailment in February.
The National Transportation Safety Board has said an overheating wheel bearing likely caused the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment near East Palestine.
Jason Cox with the Transportation Communications Union testified that the railcar that caused the derailment wasn’t inspected by Norfolk Southern.
He said changes the railroad has made in recent years have compromised safety.
Roughly half the 5,000 residents of the town near the Ohio-Pennsylvania state line had to evacuate their homes after the derailment.