Background

Firefighters may respond to incidents on or near rail lines, such as motor vehicle collisions and grass or rubbish fires.

Concerns and hazards

When working on or near rail lines, train and rail traffic can present a hazard for firefighters due to the unknown location of trains, the speed at which they may be coming through the area where firefighting operations are ongoing, and the lack of direct means of communication between rail crews and fire crews.

Actions for employers

Employers must:

  • provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker
  • ensure all workers have and wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required by O. Reg. 714/94 (Firefighters — Protective Equipment) or that is otherwise necessary to protect their health and safety, including protective eyewear, clothing, and footwear appropriate for the work being performed

Employers should:

  • develop operational policies or procedures for working on or near rail lines
  • conduct pre-incident joint training with allied first responder agencies and railways

Considerations

Consider the following when developing operational policies or procedures:

  • first arriving crews must conduct a size up and risk assessment to determine the hazards specific to this incident
  • the results of the size up and risk assessment shall guide subsequent actions
  • if crews must engage in activities in proximity to the rail lines, an immediate call to the rail company to stop rail traffic shall be made
  • despite the request to stop traffic and any confirmations that it has been stopped, crews must exercise extreme caution and never assume the rail traffic has actually stopped
  • ensure crews are aware of emergency placards on the crossing arms containing emergency contact information and location, and the location of rail line owner information
  • if crews must work in proximity to rail lines, assign crews along rail lines to provide advance flag notice of the need to stop to incoming train cars from all directions, at a distance of at least 3.2 kilometers from the work site to allow for train stopping distance (consistent with the Canadian Rail Operating Rules, Rule 35 — Emergency Protection).
  • provide crews with a red flag and eight lighted red fuses (for night use) in order to provide stop signals consistent with Rule 35 of the Canadian Rail Operating Rules. Familiarize crews with the full contents of Rule 35
  • ensure that communications/dispatchcentres have accurate information regarding rail lines operating in the area and a means of advising rail operators that crews are active in the area
  • maintain communications with other emergency services also operating at the incident to ensure that all personnel have the most accurate information about incoming rail equipment
  • ensure workers are aware of the hazards of electrified third rails or overhead lines, where applicable

Applicable regulations and acts

Related

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Transport Canada guidance note — Canadian Rail Operating Rules