WMATA taps NYCT veteran as new chief safety officer

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) appointed Patrick Lavin to the position of chief safety officer, effective May 9. Lavin comes to WMATA from New York City Transit (NYCT), where he is second in command of the agency's Office of System Safety.

 

“I look forward to Pat joining our team and to his leadership on WMATA’s safety culture improvements,” said General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul Wiedefeld. “Pat has a unique combination of operational and safety experience and a proven record as a proactive and hands-on safety professional who understands how to partner with operations and maintenance teams to achieve safer practices.”

Lavin spent the first two decades of his career in NYCT’s Division of Signals, where he gained extensive knowledge of rail operations, maintenance, testing and inspection processes. In his current role in NYCT’s safety department, he performs in-depth investigations into rail and bus accidents, including mainline rail incidents, such as derailments and collisions. In recent years, Lavin has led multi-disciplinary task forces to improve safety at NYCT; including a 2010 Task Force that was convened to investigate reports of employees falsifying testing and maintenance records and provided recommendations for improved oversight, training and maintenance practices. He also worked with NYCT’s Division of Buses and New York’s Public Transportation Safety Board to investigate bus fires and mechanical failures, which resulted in significant reductions in both categories.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to bring to WMATA more than 30 years’ experience in rail operations and maintenance, as well as safety investigations. Combining two sides of the house so that safety works hand-in-hand with operations will help us make positive changes that serve WMATA’s employees and customers well. I look forward to making a difference in Washington,” said Lavin.

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