No. H107/02For release - September 26, 2002
OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today provided an initial response to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada's (TSB) report concerning the derailment and collision of two Canadian National trains in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Québec on December 30, 1999.
"I would first like to recognize the Transportation Safety Board's thorough work in investigating this tragic accident," said Mr. Collenette. "Transport Canada has already taken action to address the board's concerns."
In its final report, the board recommended that Transport Canada review the requirements on emergency response plans for the transportation of hydrocarbons, the design specifications for event recorders (to ensure that data can be retrieved in the event of a fire), and the requirements for the quality control of thermite welds.
Transport Canada agrees with the intent of the board's recommendations.
The department already has an Emergency Response Assistance Plan program in place so that shippers of certain dangerous goods can provide specialized knowledge to local emergency response authorities at the scene of an accident. Transport Canada will also review the possibility of extending this requirement to shippers of large quantities of other dangerous goods, such as hydrocarbons.
The department has also been reviewing all types of rail welds currently performed by railways, as well as the type of inspection and testing conducted on these welds. This review will identify any areas where safety practices can be enhanced.
Transport Canada introduced new requirements, effective August 15, 2002, making it mandatory for shipping documents to state the content of all cars transporting dangerous goods, and for these documents to travel with the train.
In addition, Transport Canada plans to incorporate a new design standard on locomotive event recorders within Canadian rail safety requirements. The department is closely following the progress of this new standard which is now under development in the U.S.
"The TSB plays an important role in identifying areas where possible safety improvements can be made in our transportation system," added Mr. Collenette. "We will continue to work with the board, the Railway Association of Canada, the rail industry, and communities across the country to further enhance the safety of Canada's rail transportation system."
A backgrounder on Transport Canada's actions following the Mont-Saint-Hilaire accident is attached.
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Contact:
Marie-Josée DuboisCommunications, Ottawa(613) 993-0055
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MONT SAINT-HILAIRE DERAILMENT
Immediately following the derailment and collision in Mont Saint-Hilaire, Québec on December 30, 1999, Transport Canada began working with Canadian National, other railway companies, the Railway Association of Canada, and affected communities to respond to the safety issues raised by the accident.
Transport Canada conducted regulatory inspections of the subdivision in which the accident occurred, verified compliance of railway companies with applicable standards and regulations, and participated in public meetings (organized by the municipalities) to listen to their concerns, provide information and take appropriate action.
The Transportation Safety Board has made the following three recommendations to Transport Canada:
Transport Canada review the provisions of Schedule I and the requirements for emergency response plans to ensure that the transportation of liquid hydrocarbons is consistent with the risks posed to the public. [R02-03]
Transport Canada agrees with the intent of this recommendation. The department's Emergency Response Assistance Plan program is in place so that shippers of certain dangerous goods can provide specialized knowledge to local emergency response authorities at the scene of an accident. (Examples of dangerous goods requiring specialized knowledge as well as unique tools or techniques include chlorine, plutonium, propane or anhydrous ammonia.) However, the department will review the possibility of extending this requirement to shippers of large quantities of other dangerous goods, such as hydrocarbons.
Transport Canada ensure that the design specifications for locomotive event recorders include provisions regarding the survivability of data. [R02-04]
Transport Canada supports this recommendation and recognizes the need to extend existing design and construction standards for locomotive event recorders to include data survivability or "crashworthiness." The department is closely following the current development of a U.S. standard (by the Association of American Railroads) that would be similar to standards for aeronautical and marine event recorders. Transport Canada intends to incorporate the final U.S. standard within Canadian rail safety requirements.
Transport Canada review the requirements for the inspection and quality control of thermite field welds to ensure that an adequate level of safety is maintained on all types of tracks. [R02-05]
Transport Canada supports this recommendation and has already initiated a review of all types of rail welds performed by railways, as well as the type of inspection and testing conducted on these welds. The department is undertaking this review with the objective of identifying any areas where safety practices can be enhanced. In the interim, and since the accident, Transport Canada has worked with Canadian National and Canadian Pacific to confirm that both companies are maintaining and executing all rail welds in compliance with standards and procedures.
September 2002
