INDUSTRY ISSUES >> SAFETY AND SECURITY
Safety and Security
Safety and security on short line and regional railways - what's the reality?
Effectively managing safety and security is fundamental to the success of any short line and regional railway (SL/RR). SL/RRs work closely with their Class I partners and with the regulatory authorities to promote safe railway operations throughout the network.
Railway safety is regulated by Transport Canada through the Railway Safety Act for federally-regulated railways. This legislation acknowledges that managing safety is an inherent part of managing a railway and makes the industry responsible for developing and implementing its own safety plans. At the same time, the public interest is protected within the legislation by giving strong powers to Transport Canada's inspection staff throughout the country. The legislation also ensures that employees, through their unions, have a role in the development of safety rules.
Most provinces have adopted the federal safety regime either directly in their legislation or through formal federal/provincial agreements to oversee railway safety in their respective jurisdictions.
The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act applies to all modes of transport, even those which are provincially-regulated for other purposes. Canadian railways have an outstanding safety record in the handling of dangerous goods. In those few instances when accidents occur involving dangerous goods, the railways work closely with emergency response workers across the country and with the appropriate agencies of the federal and provincial governments to minimize the dangers to communities. SL/RRs invest considerable resources to provide employees with the skills necessary to handle dangerous goods safely and to know what to do in the event of a dangerous goods accident.
The North American railway industry operates on an integrated basis and freight cars move throughout North America. It is important that there be reasonable consistency between the safety regulatory regimes in Canada and the United States. Canada's railways work with the Canadian government to promote harmonization based on the principles in the Canadian Railway Safety Act.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) was established to investigate railway, aviation, marine and pipeline accidents. This independent agency investigates accidents to determine cause and to make recommendations to governments and carriers. There are more fatalities and injuries resulting from truck accidents than from all other modes combined, yet the TSB's mandate does not include investigation of truck or bus accidents. The TSB's jurisdiction should be enlarged to include investigations into these accidents.
Safe railway operations depend on a well-trained workforce. SL/RRs are committed to continuous skills upgrading of all employees to make the railway workplace as safe as possible for both employees and the public.
COPYRIGHT 2002 ASSOCIATION OF REGIONAL RAILWAYS OF CANADA.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. WEBSITE POWERED BY ONTHEFLY
 [ ENSURE ALL INFORMATION IS PRINTED, CHOOSE LANDSCAPE ORIENTATION IN YOUR PRINT DIALOGUE BOX ] |
OCTOBER 26, 2005
Additional Funding Announced for Railway Crossings
JUNE 29, 2005
Transport Canada Announces Funding to Improve Safety at Railway Crossings
DECEMBER 22, 2004
Transport Minister announces appointment to Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada
MAY 18, 2004
Federal Government Commits to Solving Railway Noise Problems
MAY 18, 2004
Call for Proposals for Intelligent Transportation Systems Deployment Projects
MAY 14, 2004
Winning Intelligent Transportation Systems Projects Announced
MAY 12, 2004
Transport Canada Releases 2003 Annual Report
APRIL 29, 2004
Reflective Materials for Trains to Enhance Safety
MARCH 16, 2004
Transport Canada Approves New Rail Safety Guideline - "Request to Depart from Applicable Engineering Standards"
MARCH 15, 2004
Transport Canada Approves New Rail Safety Program Guideline - "Railway Application for an Exemption or Filing of a Notice of Exemption"
FEBRUARY 27, 2003
Transport Canada's Vision for Transportation Supports Passenger and Commuter Rail
FEBRUARY 27, 2003
Short Lines Need Further Consideration in Transport Canada's Vision for Transportation
JANUARY 20, 2003
ARRC's Report Card on First Year Achievements
AUGUST 30, 2002
ARRC member pilots Transport Canada's Safety Management System
AUGUST 1, 2002
ARRC Joins Dangerous Goods Council
JULY 15, 2002
ARRC Joins Direction 2006 Partnership
JUNE 1, 2002
ARRC Promotes Careers in the Transportation Industry
MAY 13, 2002
Canada, U.S. Sign Memorandum of Cooperation on Railway Grade Crossing Research
APRIL 30, 2002
Presentation to Transport sur rail au Quebec, Sixth Annual Symposium on Railway Safety, Sainte-Foy, QC, April 30, 2002
APRIL 25, 2002
ARRC Launches New Website
FEBRUARY 3, 2002
ARRC's Submission to Transport Canada for the Blueprint Initiative
SEPTEMBER 20, 2001
The formation of ARRC announced
|