Train - hazardous cargo "accident"

[3930dave]

And, we Canadians like to think of ourselves as an "advanced" G8 country.

Anyone with a basic knowledge of control systems can see that this event should not be possible, given even a rudimentary level of industrial safety practices.

Unfortunately, until Bay and Wall Street start seeing successful billion dollar lawsuits, this is where we end up.

Beginning with the victims, this story is really sad, on many levels.

Rgds, D.

 

[kiotiken]

And, we Canadians like to think of ourselves as an "advanced" G8 country.

Anyone with a basic knowledge of control systems can see that this event should not be possible, given even a rudimentary level of industrial safety practices.

Unfortunately, until Bay and Wall Street start seeing successful billion dollar lawsuits, this is where we end up.

Beginning with the victims, this story is really sad, on many levels.

Rgds, D.

Wait for the results of the investigation. Ever watch the show Mayday? The one thing every one of those "accidents" has in common (they have done at least two train accidents) is there are always multiple factors and failures involved that come together like a perfect storm to cause a disaster. You already see that with a fire on this train and the fire department responding. There will be elements of human error, inadequate policies and equipment failures that will have all contributed to the disaster. All we know now is it's a tragic event that we should learn from to ensure it never happens again. There's much more to come.

 

[Cub 7274]

And no doubt the MMA Shortline will disappear as there will be no way they will ever be able to pay what this will cost.
As stated the perfect storm sadly its all about the bottom line in the rail industry and the cuts have gone to far.
In the time I worked there 1976-2012 it was astounding to watch the change not much of it was for the better.

 

[bcp]

The Swiss Cheese model of accident causation

Anatomy of an Error

 

[3930dave]

Per my post #18, there are significant systemic problems that have deliberately been put in place that seriously limit any "corrections" being applied.

I understand your point Ken, but have limited faith in this game of CorporateGovernment slap-and-tickle that passes for oversight today. In another arena, XL Foods is another good example of our government deliberately de-fanging and dismantling any meaningful oversight and correction.

IMO, major lawsuits, and preferably jail time for executives, would be a good start at meaningful corrective action.

Rgds, D.

 

[Scooby074]

Per my post #18, there are significant systemic problems that have deliberately been put in place that seriously limit any "corrections" being applied.

I understand your point Ken, but have limited faith in this game of CorporateGovernment slap-and-tickle that passes for oversight today. In another arena, XL Foods is another good example of our government deliberately de-fanging and dismantling any meaningful oversight and correction.

IMO, major lawsuits, and preferably jail time for executives, would be a good start at meaningful corrective action.

Rgds, D.

I have to agree. When a government expands their PR department while at the same time gutting inspections (of all kinds)... its time for a change. (I say that as a life long PC)

Industry, especially ones where public safety is a stake (food, power, transport) should not be allowed to "Self Regulate". Companies exists to "Maximize Profits".. thats not a bad thing per se, so long as its done responsibly. So far, self regulation has been a failure.

 

[mjym]

all this oil belong to irving oil and it was going to st john nb to irving refinery

 

[300UGUY]

I have to agree. When a government expands their PR department while at the same time gutting inspections (of all kinds)... its time for a change. (I say that as a life long PC)

Industry, especially ones where public safety is a stake (food, power, transport) should not be allowed to "Self Regulate". Companies exists to "Maximize Profits".. thats not a bad thing per se, so long as its done responsibly. So far, self regulation has been a failure.

Self regulation is no regulation.

 

[PILOON]

A lot of talk of air pressure, tanks etc for an effective system.
Consider that each car has hoses at both ends plus couplers that incorporate seals.
All those hoses and seals get a bunch of flexing during normal usage. (never mind aged solid lines)
I'd take for granted that all those tank cars would be considerably aged.
No wonder the pressure dropped and the brakes released when the locomotive was shut down (due to reported fire)
I'd bet that records would show that lots of those components might still be original parts.

Generally referred to breakdown maintenance, I believe.
Or is that in their quality assurance manual?
I seem to recall that pressure hose manufacturers date code their products and that standard life is 5 years.
Also for such a system a leak down test should be mandatory. ( like x% allowable over XXhrs)

 

[PILOON]

A lot of talk of air pressure, tanks etc for an effective system.
Consider that each car has hoses at both ends plus couplers that incorporate seals.
All those hoses and seals get a bunch of flexing during normal usage. (never mind aged solid lines)
I'd take for granted that all those tank cars would be considerably aged.
No wonder the pressure dropped and the brakes released when the locomotive was shut down (due to reported fire)
I'd bet that records would show that lots of those components might still be original parts.

Generally referred to breakdown maintenance, I believe.
Or is that in their quality assurance manual?
I seem to recall that pressure hose manufacturers date code their products and that standard life is 5 years.
Also for such a system a leak down test should be mandatory. ( like x% allowable over XXhrs)