TSB raises new concerns in Watchlist 2016

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport
FILE PHOTO

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released this year’s safety Watchlist and announced efforts to include government and industry leaders in conversations and efforts to enhance the safety of Canada’s transportation network.

 

“No longer is it enough to point out a problem and wait for others to take notice,” said Kathy Fox, TSB chair. “In the next few days and weeks, we’ll meet with key stakeholders to push for concrete action, and then we’ll report publically on the results.”

This year’s Watchlist, which determines priority safety concerns that must be remedied in the rail, air, and marine sectors, highlights two new concerns.

“Fatigue has been a factor in numerous railway investigations, most notably regarding freight train operations,” Fox said. “Too many train crews aren’t getting the rest they need, whether it’s shifts that are too long or irregular scheduling that interfere with normal sleep times. It’s time for the railway industry to start applying fatigue science to crew scheduling, instead of calling for more studies.” 

Fox said Transport Canada’s (TC) “slow progress” in acknowledging prior TSB recommendations is the second new issue, noting it affects all aspects of the network by posing possible risks.

“There are currently 52 TSB recommendations that have been outstanding for 10 years or more. Over three dozen of those have been outstanding for more than 20 years,” she said. “There is no reasonable excuse for taking that long—especially in cases where TC agrees that action is needed.”

Fox also emphasized that “good intentions” on the government’s part do not erase the safety risks that require action.

“If that were enough, the same accidents wouldn’t keep happening and we wouldn’t need a Watchlist,” she said.

Representatives say eight of the 10 issues on the new Watchlist are leftovers from years past. The issue of railway crossing safety was removed from the list following what representatives describe as “significant action” on the part of TC, railways and road authorities, including new grade-crossing regulations and a decrease in crossing accidents.

Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, responded to the TSB’s updated Watchlist, saying: “I welcome the TSB’s update to its Watchlist, as it plays an important role in our ongoing efforts to improve safety in the aviation, marine and rail sectors. The TSB’s update reflects the hard work that municipalities, provinces, railways and [TC] have invested to address the many challenges in improving railway crossing safety, as well as the recent investments the government of Canada has made in the new Rail Safety Improvement Program to help fund new technology and upgrades in many communities,” he said. “At the same time, the safety of the transportation system is my top priority and I will be looking carefully at the issues and risks raised in this Watchlist.”

Minister Garneau said the TSB recommendations and Watchlist serve as a helpful tool to focus the transportation industry and TC on areas in which major issues need to be addressed. He also says he has directed TC officials to provide him with details on specific areas that could see faster progress in reducing risks. 

“[TC] shares the TSB’s commitment to advancing the safety of Canada’s transportation system and we will continue to work with them to address all identified safety issues,” Minister Garneau said.

Although strong safety efforts have reportedly been made by TC regarding the transportation of flammable liquids by rail, TSB representatives say issues will remain in the system until the latest tank car standards and risk controls are fully implemented. 

TSB officials also say plans are still needed to implement physical defenses against railway signal indications not being followed. The railway industry is not reaping the safety benefits of on-board voice and video recorders in locomotive cabs, representatives say.

Complete Watchlist 2016 issues include:

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