WASHINGTON — It took a long, halting search, but Metro has finally found a permanent new chief safety officer — moving the agency a big step closer toward a major track overhaul that could shut down more stations or stretches of track for safety-related work more often.
Patrick Lavin, who has spent his entire 33-year career working for New York City’s transit system, will begin his new job with Metro on May 9.
General Manager Paul Wiedefeld has said the safety position would be his most important hire following his revamp of Metro’s management structure last month.
In a statement Tuesday, Wiedefeld said he looked forward to Lavin leading “safety culture improvements.”
“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,” the statement said.
Wiedefeld has said he would announce major changes by mid-May to how Metro handles track work.
The changes will come after an outside report on the problems with Metro’s power system is delivered this month and an overall third-party track work analysis, which is expected next month. The dangers from those power system issues are what led to the one-day safety shutdown.
Changes in maintenance work could force trains to share a single track for extended periods of time, close the system early or shut downs some stretches of track for extended periods of time. The track work changes are intended to get more done in less time and to bring the system back into a state of good repair.
As chief safety officer, Lavin would have a big role in making sure those projects are handled safely and correctly.
In New York, Lavin began his career working in the signals division, and has recently served near the top of the safety department as a lead rail and bus accident investigator.
Lavin worked with the National Transportation Safety Board when New York’s system has faced derailments or bus fires in the past, and he was part of an internal task force that investigated falsified testing and maintenance records — experiences that could prove useful in his new role at Metro.
Lavin also teaches a federal Transportation Safety Institute course on rail incident investigations.
Metro’s acting Chief Safety Officer Lou Brown announced late last month he would leave the agency after it became clear he would not be the permanent pick for the job.
The last permanent chief safety officer, Jim Dougherty, resigned in September after the derailment near the Smithsonian Station that could have been prevented.
