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Railway Rules & Standards

TitleDescriptionApprovedPublished
Canadian Railway
Medical Rules
Handbook
This handbook was designed to provide Canadian railway companies and medical
service providers with the information necessary to implement the Railway Medical
Rules for Positions Critical to Safe Railway Operations
2001-11-292024-03-11
Canadian Rail Operating RulesThese rules prescribe operating requirements for employees involved in the movement of trains in Canada.

In effect: October 1, 2022
2022-05-092022-05-09
Duty and Rest Period Rules for Railway Operating EmployeesThese Rules define the requirements related to the hours of work and rest periods for employees who are in positions designated critical to safe railway operations and are defined as employees in this rule.

In effect:
• Part A – May 25, 2023 for freight railway companies and on November 25, 2024 for passenger railway companies.
• Part B (with the exception of section 5) – May 25, 2023 for freight railway companies and on November 25, 2024 for passenger railway companies.
• Section 5 of Part B – November 25, 2022.
• Part C – May 25, 2023 for freight railway companies and on November 25, 2024 for passenger railway companies.
• Part D – November 25, 2021.

Important Note: The Work Rest Rules remains in effect in parts until all parts of the Duty and Rest Period Rules are in effect.
2020-11-252020-11-25
Railway Extreme Heat and Fire Risk Mitigation RulesRailway Extreme Heat and Fire Risk Mitigation Rules

In effect: June 15, 2022
2022-06-152022-06-16
Railway Equipment Reflectorization RulesThese Rules apply to any company subject to the Railway Safety Act.

All railway equipment subject to these Rules must be equipped with retroreflective sheeting conforming to these Rules.

These Rules prescribe the minimum standards governing the specifications; the application; the inspection and maintenance of retroreflective material on railway equipment.

In effect: December 17, 2019
2019-12-032020-01-06
Rules For The Installation, Inspection & Testing Of
Air Reservoirs (Other than on Locomotives)
These rules prescribe the standards for installation, inspection, testing and
reporting of air reservoirs used by railway companies subject to the jurisdiction of
Transport Canada. These rules apply to stationary and portable reservoirs except
those on locomotives.
1994-12-051994-12-05
Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety RulesThese rules prescribe the minimum safety standards for the safe operation of train brakes on all freight and passenger trains.

In effect: May 1, 2023

Important Note: the September 29, 2023 version of these rules comes into effect on December 1, 2025
2023-01-302023-05-01
Railway Freight Car Inspection & Safety RulesThese Rules prescribe the minimum safety standards for freight cars.

In effect: December 9, 2014
2014-12-092014-12-09
Railway Locomotive Inspection and Safety RulesThese rules prescribe the minimum safety standards for locomotives operated by railway companies subject to the jurisdiction of Transport Canada pursuant to the Railway Safety Act.2022-05-092022-05-09
Transport Canada Railway Medical Rules for Positions Critical to Safe Railway OperationsThese rules define the Medical Fitness for Duty requirements for Safety Critical Positions within railway companies.

In effect: December 22, 2006
2006-12-222019-09-19
Railway Passenger Car Inspection & Safety RulesThese rules prescribe the minimum safety standards for passenger cars in trains at speeds not exceeding 125 mph (200 km/h).

In effect: November 8, 2001
2001-11-082001-11-08
Railway Passenger Handling Safety RulesThese rules prescribe the minimum requirements for the safe handling of passengers.

In effect: June 29, 2000
2000-03-312000-03-31
Railway Signal & Traffic Control
Systems Standards
These standards are intended to ensure that railway signal and traffic control systems are
installed, modified and maintained in a safe manner. These standards apply to railway
companies subject to the jurisdiction of the Minister of Transport pursuant to the Railway
Safety Act (RSA).
2007-06-042007-06-04
Rules Respecting Track SafetyThese rules prescribe minimum safety requirements for federally regulated standard gauge railway track.

In effect since February 1, 2022

Important Note: The May 31, 2022 version of these rules, available here, comes into effect on May 31, 2023
2021-12-152021-12-15
Rules Respecting Key Trains and
Key Routes
These rules prescribe minimum safety standards to strengthen track inspection practices and to reduce speeds for trains carrying certain types of dangerous goods.

In effect: August 22, 2021
2021-02-222021-02-22
Standards Respecting Pipeline
Crossings Under Railways
These standards may be known as the “Pipeline Crossing Standards”.

These standards are intended to ensure that pipeline crossings under Railways are
installed, renewed and maintained in a safe manner. These standards apply to Railway
Companies subject to the jurisdiction of the Minister of Transport pursuant to the
Railway Safety Act.
2000-06-212000-06-21
Standards Respecting
Railway Clearances
This Standard shall apply on all tracks owned or operated on by a railway company.
Transport Canada Standard
for LED Signal Modules at
Highway/Railway Grade
Crossings
The purpose of this standard is to provide the minimum performance requirements for
200 mm and 300 mm Light Emitting Diode (LED) signal modules for use in
highway/railway grade crossing signal assemblies in Canada.
2003-10-102003-10-10
Work/Rest Rules for Railway Operating Employees (2011)These Rules define the requirements related to the hours of work and rest periods for employees who are in positions designated critical to safe railway operations.

In effect: February 23, 2011

Important Note: The new Duty and Rest Period Rules November 25, 2020, version will gradually come into effect starting on November 25, 2021.
2011-02-232019-09-18