Railways need to be more diligent in reporting incidents: TSB

A routine Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) review of its railway occurrence database identified potential safety issues in late and missing accident information.
The three railway companies examined who had late or missing information prompted the TSB to remind all railway companies that reporting occurrences as laid out in TSB regulations is mandatory. The TSB also said enforcement action will be taken to address non-compliance.

The examination of Canadian National, Canadian Pacific and Montreal, Maine & Atlantic railway companies showed 254 occurrences involving these companies were reported late or not reported at all over a seven-year period.

While the occurrences were minor — involving rail yard operations with limited damages and no injuries — the TSB still stressed reporting obligations and the information was entered into the TSB railway occurrence database.

The TSB regulations, which came in force earlier in 2014, clearly outline occurrence reporting requirements for railway companies and the industry is responsible for timely and fully compliant reporting of all incidents.