Accident Reporting Requirements
Who is required to report accidents?
All provincially regulated railways are required to report accidents / incidents to the Railway Administrator as per the Railway (Alberta) Act, Part 3 section 38(1) and Railway Regulations AR 177/2002 Part 3 section 35(1).
When is an accident reportable?
Immediately after an accident the railway must verbally report the details to the Co-ordination and Information Center (CIC). Their 24 hour toll free number is 1-800-272-9600 or 780-422-9600.
What is reportable?
The railway must report the following:
- main track collisions or derailments
- highway grade crossing collisions
- accidents involving a trespasser, employee or passenger
- fire or explosion involving railway property
- collision between rolling stock and an object
- non-main-track collision or derailments
- collision involving a track unit
- collision between rolling stock and an abandoned vehicle and;
- incidents involving dangerous goods require an immediate report under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations
What is not reportable?
The railway does not have to report the following:
a) minor injuries not involving lost time or a visit to a physician.
b) minor equipment damage such as paint scrapes.
Is a written report required?
Yes - provide details of the accident using the Industrial Railway Accident Report and submit this to the Railway Administrator within 30 days of the incident occurring.
Is there a reporting form that has to be used?
Yes - a copies of the reporting forms are available at Railway Incident Report (pdf 1 MB).
What happens to this information?
It is reviewed by a Rail Safety Officer and then entered into the Industrial Railway confidential provincial rail safety data base and then used in identifying trends in the industry.
