5.1 – Scope
Section 11 of the Railway Safety Act states:
“(1) All work relating to railway works — including, but not limited to, design, construction, evaluation, maintenance and alteration — must be done in accordance with sound engineering principles.
(2) All engineering work relating to railway works must be approved by a professional engineer.”
5.2 – Engineering work related to culverts
Engineering work related to culverts includes, but is not limited to:
- preparing culvert designs and specifications
- developing construction, repair and modification procedures
- developing inspection and evaluation procedures
- reviewing culvert inspection reports and conducting the higher-level review
- evaluating proposed maintenance deferrals
- verifying that construction, repair, and modification work is completed following the design and specifications
- conducting hydrological and hydraulics analysis
5.3 – Engineering work performed by persons who are not Professional Engineers
A railway engineer may assign aspects the engineering work described in this guideline to technically competent people who are not professional engineers. Such work must be performed under the direct supervision of the railway engineer. The railway engineer continues to be responsible for all aspects of the engineering work.
The railway company must be able to demonstrate how their CSMP meets the requirements of Section 11 of the Railway Safety Act.
Section analysis 5.3 – Engineering work performed by persons who are not Professional Engineers
In Canada it is common practice for professional engineers to assign engineering work to competent people who are not professional engineers, provided that they are working under the “direct supervision” of the professional engineer taking responsibility for the work. “Direct supervision” implies that a reasonable level of supervision is provided to ensure that the work meets the same standards of professional conduct and competence as if the professional engineer had performed the work personally. It does not require the supervising engineer to monitor every aspect of the work that is being performed.
Further guidance on acceptable professional practice can be found from Engineers Canada and the applicable provincial or territorial Engineering Associations.
First Issued: January 2012
Revision 1: October 2024