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Report a pipeline transportation occurrence

Determine whether the occurrence is reportable

If you wish to report—in complete confidence—an act or condition in the Canadian transportation system that is potentially unsafe but is not a reportable occurrence as defined below, use SECURITAS.

What is a reportable occurrence?

A "pipeline occurrence" must be reported if:

  1. the pipeline sustains damage that affects the safe operation of the pipeline as a result of another object coming into contact with it;
  2. an unauthorized third party activity affects the structural integrity of the pipeline;
  3. a geotechnical, hydrotechnical or environmental activity poses a threat to the safe operation of the pipeline;
  4. the occurrence results directly from the operation of the pipeline, where:
    1. a person is killed or sustains a serious injury;
    2. there is a fire, ignition or explosion that
      1. affects the safe operation of the pipeline, or
      2. poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment;
    3. there is an occurrence that results in
      1. an unintended or uncontrolled release of hydrocarbon gas,
      2. an unintended or uncontrolled release of HVP hydrocarbons,
      3. an unintended or uncontrolled release of LVP hydrocarbons in excess of 1.5 m³ or
      4. an unintended or uncontrolled release of a commodity other than hydrocarbon gas, HVP hydrocarbons or LVP hydrocarbons;
    4. there is a release of a commodity from the line pipe body;
    5. the pipeline is operated beyond design limits or any operating restrictions imposed by the National Energy Board;
    6. the pipeline restricts the safe operation of any mode of transportation.

Source: Transportation Safety Board Regulations Section 4(1)

If you are not the operator of the pipeline but wish to report—in complete confidence—an act or condition that is potentially unsafe, use SECURITAS.

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The pipeline operator must report the occurrence

Source: Transportation Safety Board Regulations Section 4(1)

If you are not the operator of the pipeline but wish to report—in complete confidence—an act or condition that is potentially unsafe, use SECURITAS.

Call the TSB immediately after discovering one of these types of occurrences

  1. An occurrence that results in:
    • a death
    • a serious injury (as defined in the Onshore Pipeline Regulations or the Transportation Safety Board Regulations)
    • an unintended or uncontrolled low vapour pressure (LVP) hydrocarbon release in excess of 1.5 m³ that leaves company property or occurs on or off the right of way
    • an unintended or uncontrolled sweet natural gas or high vapour pressure (HVP) release in excess of 30,000 m³
    • any unintended or uncontrolled release of sour natural gas or hydrogen sulfide
    • a significant adverse effect on the environment (a release of any chemical or physical substance at a concentration or volume sufficient to cause an irreversible, long-term, or continuous change to the ambient environment in a manner that causes harm to human life, wildlife, or vegetation)
    • a fire, ignition or explosion that poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment
  2. A rupture:
    • an instantaneous release that immediately impacts the operation of a pipeline segment such that the pressure of the segment cannot be maintained
  3. A toxic plume:
    • a band of service fluid or other contaminant (e.g., hydrogen sulfide or smoke) resulting from an occurrence that causes people, including employees, to take protective measures (e.g. muster, shelter-in-place or evacuation)

A TSB investigator is ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call direct 819-994-3741 or toll-free 1-800-387-3557 to provide your initial report.

Report any type of occurrence in the Online Event Reporting System within 3 hours

The Online Event Reporting System (OERS) is the automated single-window pipeline occurrence notification system established by the TSB and the Canadian Energy Regulator (CER).

After notifying the TSB by telephone, companies must input the occurrence details required by both the TSB (see TSB regulations) and the CER (see CER Event Reporting Guidelines) into the OERS.

The telephone notification and the input of information into OERS are required to occur as soon as possible and no later than 3 hours of the occurrence being discovered.

All pipeline occurrences must be reported using the OERS. Except for the specific types of occurrences listed above, telephone notification is not required.

If the OERS is not available, all pipeline occurrences must be reported by telephone to the TSB at the number below.

Go to the OERS for detailed instructions.

Input the information you have as soon as possible after the occurrence

As soon as possible after the occurrence, enter the information you have about it into the OERS. When the information is submitted, the OERS will automatically notify the TSB and the CER.

Information must be entered in the OERS even if you have reported the occurrence by telephone.

Enter factual information only. Information that is considered a witness statement and/or personal information must not be entered in the OERS.

Submit additional information as soon as available

Provide the remainder of the information required by the TSB through the OERS as soon as it becomes available and no later than 30 days after the occurrence.

If you have any questions or concerns about using the Online Event Reporting System for reporting occurrences to the TSB, call the TSB

Personal information collection statement

All personal information created, held or collected by the TSB is protected under the Privacy Act. This means that you will be informed of the purpose for which it is being collected and how to exercise your right of access to that information. You will be asked for your consent where appropriate.

Public communications

The personal information you include in an inquiry may be used to prepare a reply. The personal information is collected pursuant to the Privacy Act. Such information may be used for statistical, evaluation and reporting purposes. The information is included in the personal information bank PSU 914 - Public communications. The information may be shared with programs and activities of the TSB should your inquiry pertain to a specific program or activity of the agency. In such cases, the information is included in the personal information bank of the program or activity.

The transmission of this information is not secure so sensitive personal information, such as your Social Insurance Number, should not be included in your message.

If after reading this statement, you prefer not to submit your inquiry via the Internet, you may use one of the following methods:

Telephone (toll-free in Canada):
1-800-387-3557
Telephone (outside Canada):
1+ 819-994-3741
Mail:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
200 Promenade du Portage
Place du Centre, 4th floor
Gatineau QC K1A 1K8

Privacy Inquiry

Any questions, comments, concerns or complaints regarding the administration of the Privacy Act and privacy policies may be directed to the departmental Privacy Coordinator by:

Email:
atip.aiprp@bst-tsb.gc.ca
Telephone:
819-994-8003
Mail:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
200 Promenade du Portage
Place du Centre, 4th floor
Gatineau QC K1A 1K8

If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy concern, you may wish to contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner by e-mail at info@priv.gc.ca or by telephone at 1-800-282-1376.