Railway safety
Our Railway Safety Program regulates railways that operate solely within BC and have a certificate issued by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
When a railway car is moved on provincial land, it is subject to the Railway Act of British Columbia. Companies with operations that move railway equipment are required under provincial legislation to become certified railways. Failure to do so may lead to actions and penalties as described within the provincial railway legislation.
Railway regulations
The Canadian rail system includes both federal and provincial railways. Railways that cross provincial boundaries are governed by federal legislation, while railways that operate strictly within the boundaries of the province are governed by provincial legislation.
The Railway Act provides authority for the establishment and statutory governance of railways operating solely within the province of British Columbia and falling under provincial jurisdiction, including common carrier, industrial, heritage, and commuter railways.
The Railway Safety Act (British Columbia) provides authority for British Columbia to adopt the technical regulations, rules, and standards of the Railway Safety Act (Canada). With the Railway Safety Adopted Provisions Regulation, British Columbia’s rail safety legislation is harmonized with federal legislation.
New grade crossing regulations
BC’s regulatory framework for railways has changed to adopt the same Grade Crossing Regulations and Standards that are in place federally. This means that road authorities and railways responsible for level grade crossings may need to perform upgrades to enhance public safety.
Acts
- Railway Act (British Columbia)
- Railway Safety Act (British Columbia)
- Railway Safety Act (Canada) | Adopted Provisions
- Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act | Adopted Provisions
- Canada Transportation Act | Adopted Provisions
Regulations
- Administration Delegation Regulation (British Columbia)
- Railway Safety Adopted Provisions Regulation (British Columbia)
- Ammonium Nitrate Storage Facilities Regulations
- Anhydrous Ammonia Bulk Storage Regulations
- Chlorine Tank Car Unloading Facilities Regulations
- Flammable Liquids Bulk Storage Regulations
- Grade Crossings Regulations | Adopted Provisions
- Handling of Carloads of Explosives on Railway Trackage Regulations
- Liquefied Petroleum Gases Bulk Storage Regulations
- Mining Near Lines of Railways Regulations
- Notice of Railway Works Regulations
- Prevention and Control of Fires on Lines Works Regulations
- Railway Employee Qualification Standards Regulations
- Railway Prevention of Electric Sparks Regulations
- Railway Safety Appliance Standards Regulations
- Railway Safety Management System Regulations | Adopted Provisions
- Service Equipment Cars Regulations
- Transportation Safety Board Regulations | Adopted Provisions
- Wire Crossings and Proximities Regulations
Rules
- Canadian Rail Operating Rules
- Duty and Rest Period Rules for Railway Operating Employees
- Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety Rules
- Railway Freight Car Inspection & Safety Rules
- Railway Locomotive Inspection & Safety Rules
- Railway Medical Rules for Positions Critical to Safe Railway Operations
- Railway Passenger Car Inspection & Safety Rules
- Railway Passenger Handling Safety Rules
- Railway Rules Governing Safety Critical Positions
- Rules for the Installation, Inspection & Testing of Air Reservoirs (Other than on Locomotives)
- Rules Respecting Track Safety
- Work/Rest Rules for Rail Operating Employees
Engineering standards
Railway Association of Canada Circulars
Railway Safety Program moves to risk auditing approach
This auditing approach, which we currently use in our oversight of other regulated technologies, emphasizes auditing of operators who have higher safety risk factors and histories of accidents or non-compliances with safety management systems, rules, or regulations.
What are common non-compliances found in annual audits?
Recently, our Railway safety officers have noticed a few areas where railways are most commonly receiving non-compliances. Here we outline each area, and what is expected.
