TSB WATCHLIST 2020
LOCATION: NCR
Issue: The Transportation safety board RELEASED their updated watchlist 2020 on THURSDAY, october 29, 2020.
Date: october 29, 2020
Suggested Responses
- Transport Canada is commited to addressing safety issues in Canada’s transportation system, and welcomes the publication of the TSB’s Watchlist 2020 and its key recommendations.
- Transport Canada has taken concrete action on safety issues identified on previous Watchlists, including publishing the Locomotive Voice and Video Recorder Regulations to provide insight into rail accidents; the new strengthened rules on flight crew fatigue that align with the latest scientific data and international standards; and, new consolidated Marine Navigation Safety Regulations that address important marine safety issues.
- Regarding the newly added safety issue, Transport Canada is taking determined action to implement strict rules to secure trains and reduce the risk of uncontrolled movements of railway equipment. Specifically, on October 8, 2020, we published a Ministerial Order requiring the rail industry to adopt new practices when conducting switching operations to ensure that equipment is properly secured.
- Since the last Watchlist in 2018, Transport Canada has significantly addressed a backlog in past recommendations, and I am pleased to see the TSB recognize these efforts and remove this issue from the Watchlist.
IF PRESSED
- The safety and security of Canadians and the transportation sector continue to be Transport Canada’s top priorities, and I will be looking carefully at all safety issues raised in the Watchlist to identify further opportunities for improvements in the coming year.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Watchlist 2020 overview:
- Removed: Slow Progress Addressing TSB Recommendations (multimodal) This safety issue has been removed following concerted efforts by TC to address older recommendations.
- Added: Unplanned/Uncontrolled Movement of Rail Equipment (Rail)
TSB has indicated that TC, Railway companies and labour unions must collaborate, devise strategies and implement physical and administrative defences to address each type of uncontrolled movement. While a recent Ministerial Order has been deemed encouraging, and the Board is evaluating, the TSB would only consider this safety issues closed when there is a downward trend in the number of such occurrences.
- Split: TSB has split one existing multimodal safety issue (Safety Management Oversight) into two to capture both the need for systems to: be in place, and for oversight to demonstrate their effectiveness:
- Safety Management (multimodal): TC’s implementation of regulations requiring Safety Management Systems and industry demonstrating effectiveness of those systems.
- Regulatory Surveillance (multimodal): TC demonstrating effective oversight surveillance and monitoring of Safety Management Systems.
- Carried over:
- Runway Overruns (Aviation): TSB remains concerns that TC is not strictly adopting the ICAO standards for RESA.
- Risk of Collisions from Runway Incursions (Aviation): TSB has identified that such incursions have increased.
- Commercial Fishing Safety (Marine): While TSB noted progress with regulatory work underway, there is concern that fatalities remain high.
- Following Railway Signal Indications (Rail): TSB has recognized the work done by TC, but has concerns with increased fatalities.
- Fatigue Management (multimodal): TSB recognizes work to date but also acknowledges that there is still a need to implement and assess impacts.