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Transportation Safety Board of Canada Regulations

Understanding the new TSB Regulations and how they affect your work in the pipeline industry

What's new in the new regulations? The Transportation Safety Board Regulations were changed for the first time since 1992, bringing them up-to-date with the current transportation industry and legislation. As of 12 March 2014, Part 2 of the Regulations came into effect. Part 1 comes into effect on 1 July 2014. This fact sheet highlights some important changes that may affect your work in the pipeline industry.

The new regulations make it easier for you to report pipeline occurrences without increasing costs or the administrative burden

What has changed?

The TSB has put in place new regulations that repeal and replace the previous version. The new regulations are simpler and better aligned with other federal legislation, industry standards and international agreements. This has changed some of what you must report to the TSB in the event of a transportation occurrence and how we investigate. In particular, the new regulations:

  • Make it easier to understand what needs to be reported;
  • Clarify basic rules pertaining to witness interviews; and
  • Bring certain definitions and terminologies up-to-date.

Who do the regulations apply to?

The new regulations apply to all pipelines occurrences in Canada within the legislative authority of Parliament (i.e. federally-regulated pipelines). They also apply to any occurrence outside Canada if the TSB is investigating.

Compliance with the new regulations is mandatory. Companies that don't comply can be held accountable under the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act.

Effective 12 March 2014 – TSB Regulations, Part 2

Witness interviews

TSB investigators interview witnesses for the sole purpose of advancing transportation safety. The interviews are confidential and protected under our Act. To help ensure witnesses feel comfortable and speak openly, the new regulations specify that:

Effective 1 July, 2014 –TSB Regulations, Part 1

Definitions

Definitions have been brought up-to-date with terminology used in other federal acts and regulations, industry standards, and international agreements. Here are some definitions that may affect what you report to the TSB:

Definitions that may affect what you report to the TSB
Term Definition Change
HVP High vapour pressure, as defined in CSA Z662 New
LVP Low vapour pressure, as defined in CSA Z662 New
Operator The company that operates the pipeline or portion of the pipeline Clarified
Safety zone Area extending 30 metres perpendicularly from the center of a pipeline on either side of the pipeline New

Note: The term "pipeline" is defined in the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and means a pipeline that is used for the transportation of commodities and includes all branches, extensions, pumps, racks, compressors, loading facilities, storage facilities, reservoirs, tanks, preparation plants, separation plants, interstation systems of communication and property and works connected therewith.

Reporting requirements

Who is required to report a pipeline occurrence?

The operator of the pipeline must report a pipeline occurrence.

What occurrences are you required to report?

You must report the following occurrences if they directly result from the operation of a pipeline:

What are you no longer required to report?

What information are you required to provide?

Your reports to the TSB must include:

For more information

For more information about reporting a pipeline occurrence, please visit our Report an occurrence webpage. You can also consult the following documents:

If you have specific questions about the new regulations, please contact communications@bst-tsb.gc.ca.