Railway Association of Canada responds to rail safety measures
The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) supports standards announced today by Transport Canada (TC) and will work with TC and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with the department’s plan to strengthen rail safety.
The rail sector believes rail tank cars used for transporting flammable liquids should be built to the highest standards. Today’s announcement of a three-year phase-out for legacy tank cars marks an important step toward a fleet of cars that will enhance safety.
Over the past months, rail companies have redoubled their safety efforts, including investment, inspections, training, process change and application of technology. The industry complies with current risk assessment standards and restrictions for trains carrying dangerous goods, and will meet the requirements of TC’s Emergency Directive.
As part of its intensified focus on operational safety, Canada’s railways are working with other industries involved in the movement of dangerous goods on new measures to enhance the safe transport of these essential commodities. Collaboration between the rail sector and Canada’s energy-producing businesses has resulted in an agreement in principle for voluntary mutual emergency assistance measures to improve preparedness and response capabilities for rail incidents involving liquid hydrocarbons.
These industries will also design and implement a broader emergency preparedness and response coalition, which would create better national response capability through a single entity accessible by companies, first responders and government agencies in the event of an incident.
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Rail safety on track: New measures will improve preparedness and response
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The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) represents some 50 goods, tourist, commuter and intercity rail businesses in Canada, their more than 32,000 employees, and more than 50 associate-member suppliers. The RAC acts to inform officials, develop programs, policies and resources, and to respectfully communicate with the public and media. It also works to strengthen the role and capacity of rail to deliver leading services that are economically viable, socially cohesive and environmentally sustainable. Learn more at railcandev.wpengine.com. Follow us on Twitter: @RailCanada or Facebook: www.facebook.com/RailCanada.