0.1 – Definitions
This guideline uses the terms and definitions in the Railway Safety Act, plus the following:
Culvert
Any under-grade structure that forms a passageway through an embankment, supports one or more lines of track, and is not a railway bridge or a utility crossing. This also includes under-grade cattle and pedestrian passageways.
Culvert Safety Management Program (CSMP)
A program that helps manage all safety risks associated with culverts. This includes the key positions in the railway corporate structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes, standards, drawings, and personnel needed to develop, implement, achieve, review and maintain the program.
Railway bridge
Any structure with a deck, of any length, which supports one or more railway tracks, or any other under-grade structure with an individual span length of 3.05 meters (10 feet) or more located at such a depth that it is affected by live loads.
0.2 – Scope
This guideline is to help railway companies:
- formulate a CSMP that will follow the objectives of the Railway Safety Act
- implement and maintain a CSMP that identifies and mitigates risk as much as possible
- ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the CSMP in maintaining safe railway operations concerning culverts
- determine and assure compliance with all applicable legislative requirements, internal practices, procedures, and instructions relating to safe railway operations as it applies to culverts
0.3 – Application
This guideline is intended for railway companies to whom the Railway Safety Act applies.
0.4 – Responsibility
Culverts on a line where railway companies operate trains shall be inspected and maintained by the track owner or another railway company (for example, designated through a lease or other agreement), providing that the railway company knows who is responsible and the responsibilities are clearly defined.