In recent days, representatives of both the Carrier and the Federal Railroad Administration have contacted this office expressing grave concern about an alarming increase in injuries on BNSF, including one fatality over the Easter weekend. The Carrier advised that in the past month the daily injury rate has doubled, and in response a major "safety awareness" effort will be launched immediately. The Carrier says that "every available officer" will be on the property observing operations in an attempt to identify areas most in need of improvement. According to the information I received, it is not the Carrier's intent to discipline or punish. Rather, it seeks to learn reasons for the increase in injuries and establish a plan for reversing the trend. Members should be cautioned to strictly adhere to all safety and operating rules, and if approached by an officer, take the opportunity to share your thoughts on how safety can be improved. If management is serious about making BNSF a safer railroad, there is no better source of ideas and information than the people who move the trains, and there is no better time than now for management to start listening when those experts talk.