Chemicals are transported daily through our communities, by rail, road, or pipeline. To ensure the safe and secure transportation of these chemicals, CIAC and its members prioritize accountability and responsiveness to the public, particularly with the communities they operate in. These efforts align with Responsible Care and have contributed to progress towards the following UN SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) targets:
3.6 – By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.
3.9 – By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination
9.1 – Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all
Measuring our progress towards UN SDG 3 and 9
In 2022, CIAC launched the new Transportation Incident Measurement System (TIMS) reporting requirement for CIAC members and will be receiving the first set of data early in 2023.
Fundamental to Responsible Care is a commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. TIMS is intended to track and measure members’ progress toward achieving a reduction in incidents over time. This will also ensure CIAC is able to meet its reporting commitments to the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), better link to the UN SDGs, and help tell our story credibly to key stakeholders.
Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response (TRANSCAER)
Through TRANSCAER®, a voluntary initiative led by CIAC and the Railway Association of Canada, CIAC members work closely with communities along transportation routes to ensure residents, municipal officials, and first responders are aware of hazards associated with their products. They also help ensure communities are aware and prepared for a potential transportation incident involving dangerous goods.
TRANSCAER VR Headsets
The TRANSCAER team was pleased to introduce our new virtual reality (VR) headsets at conferences and events in 2022. The headsets were demonstrated at the BC Fire Training Officers Conference and Trade show in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, the Colloque sur la sécurité civile in Quebec City, and at the Prairie Regional TRANSCAER Committee spring meeting.
The goal was to help participants gain an understanding of railway equipment and safety when hands-on tools are not available. Participants shared positive feedback and the TRANSCAER team will continue to use these innovative tools to expand its reach to more stakeholders.
TRANSCAER outreach in 2022
In 2022, the TRANSCAER team supported and participated in 34 outreach events conducted by RAC and CIAC members. The events had participation from nearly 1,300 attendees across Canada including 500 first responders. The sessions were delivered in various formats, including presentations on dangerous goods safety and simulations of real-life incidents supported by props.
Railway equipment utilized at these events included:
- CN 911 safety training tank car;
- pressure and general service tank cars;
- locomotives;
- CN, dangerous goods valve trailer; and
- midland and chlorine capping kits.
In addition to in-person events, CIAC and the RAC Dangerous Goods team hosted four virtual TRANSCAER sessions, which were a great success. There was an average of 30 participants at each event representing various government agencies, industry, and municipalities. The virtual events gave participants an overview of the TRANSCAER initiative, railway tank car components, and the resources that are available in the event of a transportation incident involving dangerous goods.
TRANSCAER Safety Train
Since the retirement of the previous CCPX 911 tank car in 2018, TRANSCAER members and partners have been working to evolve the initiative and replace the Safety Train.
In 2022, the team made meaningful progress towards planning for the fit-up of the new Safety Train, producing final designs and detailed cost estimates. The team also worked to secure donations of funds and material to support the construction phase of the project. CIAC was pleased to receive nearly $90,000 in donated funds from members and industry partners in 2022. Construction will begin in spring 2023 and the team is eager to launch the new Safety Train in the coming months.
Once the retrofit is complete, the new Safety Train will embark on a cross-country tour, making stops in communities where dangerous goods travel, to raise awareness about rail safety and emergency response for transportation incidents involving dangerous goods. By travelling to communities, TRANSCAER will continue to establish partnerships between manufacturers, distributors, carriers, emergency responders, government agencies, and residents.
TRANSCAER Safety Train Donors
Transportation Emergency Assistance Program (TEAP III)
TEAP III is another CIAC-led program that aims to maintain a national emergency response network capable of safely and efficiently mitigating the impacts of a chemical transportation incident anywhere in the country. TEAP III provides a forum for CIAC members, transportation companies, and emergency response service providers to share information and successful practices, and to encourage continuous improvement around chemical transportation emergency preparedness and response.
Through TEAP III, CIAC and its partner organizations have established two standards:
- CIAC’s Transportation Emergency Response Standard sets the minimum criteria that CIAC member companies must meet for road and rail emergency preparedness and response.
- the TEAP III Transportation Emergency Response Service Provider (TERSP) Standard outlines the criteria used by TEAP’s assessment teams to evaluate a service provider’s ability to safely mitigate the impacts of a chemical transportation incident.
In 2022, there were 17 registered TEAP III Transportation Emergency Response Service Providers across Canada. This ensures that there is a strong network of transportation emergency response service providers available to respond from anywhere in Canada. The TEAP III assessment process encourages the sharing of information, best practices, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
It is this commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration that has allowed the program to grow and remain relevant for the long term. The program remains strong and TEAP III is always looking to work with other organizations, to continue to evolve over time.
TRANSCAER Awards
Award recipients are recognized for their demonstrated exceptional dedication to the program in one of three award categories: distinguished service, national achievement, and regional achievement.
Congratulations to the 2022 TRANSCAER Award Winners for their hard work and commitment to transportation safety:
Andy Ash, Retired, Director of Dangerous Goods, Railway Association of Canada
Tyler Yates, EHS Manager, GATX
Randy Mak, Retired, Dow Chemical
Curtis Myson, Dangerous Goods Specialist, Railway Association of Canada
Steven Santelli, Senior Dangerous Goods Officer, CN
Jon Gardiner, Hazardous Materials & Emergency Response Officer, CPKC
Tom Bozyk, Hazardous Materials Technician, BNSF
Dan Moore, Retired, Chemical Specialist/HazMat Responder
Doug Kittle, Retired BC Region TRANSCAER Coordinator
CIAC congratulates several members for their 2021 CN Safe Handling Award
CIAC congratulates our members who have been presented with the 2021 CN Safe Handling Award. Launched in 1992, this award is presented to customers who load freight cars with dangerous goods and meet strict standards for the safe handling and shipment of regulated products. The winners must meet established criteria, according to the total number of shipments of dangerous goods for all facilities.
CP Safe Shipper Awards
In October of 2022, many CIAC members were recognized for their commitment to shipping safety by CP Railway in its annual Safe Shipper Awards. CIAC members recognized in the awards included Dow Chemical, ERCO Worldwide, MEGlobal Canada, Imperial Oil, Methanex and Chemtrade.