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November 11, 2009	Dangerous Goods News
Congratulations RAC DG Team
In 2009, the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Dangerous Goods Team. With the growth of the Shortline Railways on the railway scene in Canada during the 1990’s, ( the RAC currently has 52 member railways), a decision was made within the RAC Board of Directors that it was time for the RAC to expand its scope with a priority to promote and continually improve the safe handling of dangerous goods. In 1999, the RAC Dangerous Goods Committee was empowered to organize a Dangerous Goods section within the RAC. This three person team is made up of railway personnel with a wealth of dangerous goods transportation experience as tank car specialists. They are located in strategic points in Canada (Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton). For 10 years, the RAC DG Team has been serving the railway and associate members of the RAC with the issues and challenges that comes with the responsibility of transporting dangerous goods across the 70,000 kilometres of track in Canada. The RAC DG Team, since its inception in 1999 has developed working relationships with not only its internal members, but with other associations, shippers, manufacturers, regulators, community responders and emergency response service providers. The TDG Team is mandated to serve its members and shipping community by promoting the safe transportation of dangerous goods. This is being accomplished by the TDG Specialists performing TDG audits and inspections at the railway yards. The audits/inspections that are performed at the railway yards to ensure that the railway cars that carry dangerous goods comply with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods regulations and AAR (Association of American Railroads) Mechanical requirements. These inspections are confidential and are reviewed with the railway prior to departure from the site by the means of a written report. The TDG Team responsibility does not end here; they will also assist the railway in correcting any discrepancies that may be discovered during these audits/inspections. For the shippers and manufacturers of dangerous goods, the team conducts inspections, audits, training in the loading, handling and transporting dangerous goods by rail or truck. These presentations provide information about how railways strive for perfection in safety and how they will respond to incidents. These presentations are usually followed by a hands-on tour of rail equipment with the emphasis on the “Initial Approach” methodology. Chemical and petroleum producing plant inspections consist of many different protocols, such as, training, loading/unloading procedures, documentation, safety standards, safety marks, packaging securement, tank car inspections and emergency plan evaluations. A written report is produced and reviewed with the plant personnel. All inspections are performed from a regulatory standpoint and even though rail is the main mode of transport; trucks, drums, totes, packages may also be included. In line with Responsible Care® that CN Rail and CP Rail are involved with, the RAC TDG Team provides Community Outreach and Transcaer® presentations to fire, police, ambulance services, municipal governments, and the general public in conjunction with the local railways and chemical producers. With the knowledge and experience that the RAC TDG Specialist team possesses in tank car construction and damage assessment, they can provide expert advice to the rail industry on the handling of dangerous goods incidents. The team will interface with the chemical industry, contractors and regulators in order to assist RAC member railways bring dangerous goods incidents to safe, successful conclusions. In the event of emergency, the team is on-call 24/7 to assist, advise and facilitate the safe, swift resolution to incidents that involve dangerous goods. It should be noted that since the RAC DG Team began operations, dangerous goods incidents by rail have declined steadily. Congratulations and keep up the good work! The Railway Association of Canada has 52 member railways and 34 associate members. Montreal: Jean Pierre Couture jeanpc@railcan.ca off: 450-473-4459 cell: 514-891-8935 Toronto: Andy Ash andya@railcan.ca off: 905-953-8991 cell: 647-206-2896 Edmonton: Curtis Myson mysonc@railcan.ca off: 780-992-8417 cell: 780-619-2763
Contact Information: J.A. (Andy) Ash, Director, Dangerous Goods The Railway Association of Canada 905-953-8991 Andya@railcan.ca


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