Key Points

• Rail safety is essential to safely and reliably moving products through refineries and to the communities and customers who depend on them.
• Senior Operations Training Specialist Eddie Baquera at the Marathon Petroleum El Paso, Texas, refinery works to help employees build confidence and awareness through hands-on training, real-life examples and open communication.
• Baquera’s biggest safety reminder is simple: stop, look and know what is happening around you before working near rail operations.

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Rail safety is a critical part of safely and reliably moving products and materials that help meet everyday energy needs. At Marathon Petroleum, effective rail operations depend on training, communication, teamwork and a strong commitment to doing the job the right way.

For Eddie Baquera, Senior Operations Training Specialist at Marathon Petroleum’s El Paso, Texas, refinery, rail safety is an important part of helping employees build the knowledge and confidence they need to work safely around rail operations. Over the past several years, Baquera has played an integral role in supporting the refinery’s rail safety efforts, helping reinforce safe work practices and strengthen awareness across the site.

During Rail Safety Week, Baquera shares how training supports safe rail operations, why situational awareness matters and what employees can do to help maintain a strong safety culture.

Tell us about your role at the El Paso refinery.
My role is to help employees learn how to do their jobs safely and effectively. I provide operations training, refresher training and qualification support, especially around the loading racks, tank field and other products control areas. I also spend time in the field with operators before they qualify on a job to make sure they feel comfortable and prepared.

A big part of what I do is take procedures and real-life experience and turn them into training people can understand and apply. Instead of only reading a document, we use photos, videos and group discussions so employees can see the work, talk through it and learn from each other.

Why is rail safety so important in refinery operations?
Rail safety is part of our everyday work. Employees are around rail cars, tracks, switches, derailers and loading rack areas, so everyone must stay aware of what is happening around them. Rail cars are extremely heavy, and they do not stop quickly. It takes time, coordination and communication between the people working on the ground and those operating the equipment. That is why we respect the equipment, follow procedures and never assume something is safe. That focus helps ensure products move safely through the system and ultimately to the communities and customers who depend on them.

"Taking a few extra seconds to make sure the job is safe is always worth it."

What should employees remember when working around rail operations?
Know your surroundings, follow procedures and do not take shortcuts. Always know where rail equipment is and what it is doing. If you are not sure about something, stop and ask.

That is one of the things I try to reinforce in training. Taking a few extra seconds to make sure the job is safe is always worth it. We work as a team, and communication is what helps keep everyone safe.

What role does training play in safety?
Training helps employees understand not only what to do, but why we do it. We use procedures, real-life examples, lessons learned and skills bulletins to help people recognize hazards before they become incidents.

For me, listening is also an important part of training. Operators have a lot of experience, and we can all learn from each other. Communication, patience, listening and leading by example are all important.

What rail safety reminder applies to everyone?
Stop, look and know what is happening around you. Do not assume a track is clear or that a rail car will not move. Rail cars can move quietly, so it is important to take the time to make sure it is safe before you proceed.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?
I’ve been with Marathon for nearly 23 years, and 19 of those years have been in the loading racks. That area is my pride and joy. I look out for my team because they are my family and my coworkers.

The most rewarding part is knowing something I shared helped someone make the right decision when it mattered. When an employee recognizes a hazard, speaks up or stops a job because of something they learned, that means a lot. At the end of the day, we all want everyone to go home safely to their families.