Occurrence Reporting - Rail

Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Rail Occurrence Reporting

Requirement to Report
Extracts from TSB Regulations Sections 4(1) and 4(5)

When a reportable railway accident or incident takes place, the owner, the railway company, the track operator, and any crew member aboard the rolling stock involved in the accident or incident shall report to the Board as soon as possible and by the quickest means available.

Where any person mentioned above makes a report, no other person referred to is required to make such a report.

What is a reportable accident
TSB Regulations Section 2(1)

A "reportable railway accident" is an accident resulting directly from the operation of rolling stock, where

(a) a person sustains a serious injury or is killed as a result of

1. being on board or getting on or off the rolling stock, or
2. coming into contact with any part of the rolling stock or its contents, or

(b) the rolling stock

1. is involved in a grade-crossing collision,
2. is involved in a collision or derailment and is carrying passengers,
3. is involved in a collision or derailment and is carrying dangerous goods, or is known to have last contained dangerous goods the residue of which has not been purged from the rolling stock,
4. sustains damage that affects its safe operation, or
5. causes or sustains a fire or explosion, or causes damage to the railway, that poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment.

What is a reportable incident
TSB Regulations Section 2(1)

A "reportable railway incident" means an incident resulting directly from the operation of rolling stock, where

(a) a risk of collision occurs,

(b) an unprotected main track switch is left in an abnormal position,

(c) a railway signal displays a less restrictive indication that that required for the intended movement of rolling stock,

(d) an unprotected overlap of operating authorities occurs,

(e) a 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 the rolling stock is unable to perform the crew member's duties as a result of a physical incapacitation that poses a threat to any person, property or the environment, or

(h) any dangerous goods are released on board or from the rolling stock.

What information is required
TSB Regulations Sections 4(2)

When a reportable railway accident or incident takes place, the report to the Board shall contain as much of the following information as is available:

(a) the train number and direction;

(b) the names of the railway company and the track operator;

(c) the names of the crew members;

(d) the date and time of the accident or incident;

(e) he location of the accident or incident by reference to a mileage or subdivision location and, where applicable, the track designation in yard;

(f) the number of crew members, passengers and other persons that were killed or sustained a serious injury;

(g) a description of the accident or incident and the extent of any damage to the rolling stock, the railway, a commodity pipeline, the environment and other property;

(h) a summary description of any dangerous goods contained in or released from the rolling stock;

(i) in the case of a reportable accident, the anticipated time of arrival of wreck-clearing equipment; and

(j) the name, location and title of the person making the report.

In addition to the reporting requirements set out above, the person making the report shall, in a form approved by the Board, submit to the Board within 30 days after the accident or incident all the above information, unless otherwise exempted by the Board.

How to make a report

Railway occurrences shall be reported as soon as possible to the TSB Rail/Pipeline Occurrence Hot Line at 819-997-7887 (collect calls accepted).

This information shall be faxed to the Rail/Pipeline Branch as soon as possible after the initial call at 819-953-7876

Updated: 2007-03-07

Important Notices