Accident / Incident Reporting Guidelines for Provincial Railways ...

Accident / Incident Reporting Guidelines for Provincial Railways1) Reportable Railway AccidentA reportable railway accident means an accident resulting directly from operation of rollingstock, where:(a)(b)A person sustains a serious injury or is killed as a result of1) being on board or getting on or off the rolling stock, or2) coming into contact with any part of the rolling stock or its contents;orThe rolling stock1) is involved in a grade crossing collision, (all crossing accidents arereportable with or without injuries or fatalities)2) is involved in a collision or a derailment,3) sustains damage that affects its safe operation, or4) causes or sustains a fire or explosion, or causes damage to therailway, that poses a threat to the safety of any person, property orthe environment.2) Reportable Railway IncidentA reportable incident means an incident resulting directly from the operation of rolling stock,where:a) A risk of a collision occursb) An unprotected main track switch is left in an abnormal position,c) A railway signal displays a less restrictive indication than required for the intendedmovement of rolling stock,d) An unprotected overlap of operating authority occurs,e) The movement of rolling stock exceeds the limits of its authority,f) There is runaway rolling stock,g) Any crew member whose duties are directly related to the safe operation of therolling stock is unable to perform the crew member’s duties as a result of a physicalincapacitation that poses a threat to any person, property or the environment, orh) Any dangerous goods is released on board or from the rolling stock,British Columbia Safety Authority505 6 th Street Suite 200 New Westminster BC V3L 0E1

3) DefinitionsRolling StockMean every description of car or other railway equipment that is designed for movementon its wheels along a line of railway and without limiting the generality of the foregoing,includes any locomotive, engine, track motor car, tender, snow-plow, flanger andrailway crane that is so designed.Serious InjuryMeans an injury, that is likely to require admission to a hospital.DerailmentMeans an accident whereby one or more wheels of rolling stock leave the rails, otherthan by reason of an explosion or a collision.DamageThe track has sustained damage if it must be taken out of service, restricted in anymanor (other than precautionary restrictions to allow for inspection) or if it requirescomponents to be changed, repaired or adjusted to put them back in compliance withthe Track Safety Rules. The following are examples of what would be consideredreportable:Broken railRail rolled overSpread trackDamages to switches requiring repair, replacement or adjustmentDamage to stop blocks/ derails requiring repair, replacement or adjustmentNeed to replace a number or adjust a number of fasteners or tiesThe rolling stock has sustained damage if it requires any of the following components tobe repaired or replaced:Safety appliancesBrakes (air and hand)WheelsBearingsCouplersTrucksSide BearingsAny other component which affects the safe operation of the rolling stock

4) Mandatory ReportingReportable Railway Accidents and Incidents(1) Subject to subsection (5), where a reportable railway accident or incident takesplace, the railway company, the track operator and any crew member aboard therolling stock involved in the accident or incident shall report to the BCSA as muchof the information listed in subsection (2) as is available, as soon as possible andby the quickest means available.(2) The report referred to in subsection (1) shall contain the following information:(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j)the train number and direction;the names of the railway company and of the track operator;the names of the crew members;the date and time of the accident or incident;the location of the accident or incident by reference to a mileage and sub-divisionlocation and, where applicable, the track designation in a yard;the number of crew members, passengers and other persons that were killed orsustained a serious injury;a description of the accident or incident and the extent of any resulting damage tothe rolling stock, the railway, a commodity pipeline, the environment and otherproperty;a summary description of any dangerous goods contained in or released from therolling stock;in the case of a reportable accident, the anticipated arrival time of wreck-clearingequipment; andthe name, location and title of the person making the report.(3) In addition to the reporting requirements set out in subsection (1), the personmaking the report shall, on a form approved by the BCSA, submit to the BCSAwithin 30 days after the accident or incident all the information listed insubsection (2), unless otherwise exempted by the BCSA pursuant to subsection(4).

(4) The BCSA may exempt a person from submitting the information referred to insubsection (3) where the BCSA has gathered the information through its owninvestigation of the accident or incident.(5) Where any person required to do so pursuant to subsection (1) makes a report tothe BCSA, no other person referred to in that subsection is required to make areport.5) Voluntary ReportingGeneralAny person having knowledge of an accident, incident or special situation associatedwith the unsafe operation of rolling stock may report to the BCSA any information thatthe person believes is relevant.6) Confidential Reporting(1) The BCSA has established a confidential ‘reporting line” that has exclusiveauthority to receive and examine in confidence any verbal or written report madepursuant to section 4.(2) Where a report is made to the BCSA, other than a report concerning a reportableaccident or incident made by a person referred to in subsection 4 (1), no personshall release the identity of the person making the report or any information thatcould reasonably be expected to reveal the person’s identity, unless the personmaking the report authorizes, in writing, its release.7) Preservation of Evidence:Respecting Reportable Accidents and Incidents(1) Where a reportable accident or incident takes place, the owner, operator and anycrew member shall, to the extent possible, and until otherwise instructed by theBCSA or except as otherwise required by law, preserve and protect any evidencerelevant to the reportable accident or incident, including evidence contained indocuments.(2) Subsection (1) shall not be construed as preventing any person from takingnecessary measures to ensure the safety of any person, property or theenvironment.

(3) Where evidence relevant to a reportable accident or incident has to be interferedwith pursuant to subsection (2), the person directing, supervising or arranging theinterference shall, to the extent possible in the circumstances, and prior to theinterference, record the evidence by the best means available.(4) Where any person required to do so, pursuant to subsection (1) preserves andprotects evidence relevant to a reportable accident or incident, no other personreferred to in that subsection is required to preserve or protect that evidence.8) Reporting ProceduresWhen a railway experiences a reportable Accident/ Incident the railway must adhere tothe following procedures:1. Report by phone to the BCSA as soon as possibleAccident / Incident Report Line: 1.866.566.72332. Complete Part A: Initial Railway Accident/ Incident Report Form Located on the BCSAweb page: http://www.safetyauthority.ca/railways(Immediate)3. Complete Part B: Final Investigation Railway Accident/ Incident Report FormLocated on the BCSA web page: http://www.safetyauthority.ca/railways(Within 30 days of event)