The Transportation Safety Board is urging the federal government to enhance its supervision of how railways evaluate the medical fitness of employees for work. This recommendation follows an inquiry into a 2023 incident involving two Canadian National Railway trains near Wainwright, Alta., approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Edmonton, where no injuries were reported.
According to the TSB, a locomotive engineer was permitted to work despite incomplete medical evaluations concerning his Type 1 diabetes. Yoan Marier, chair of The Transportation Safety Board, disclosed in an interview with CBC News that on August 8, 2023, a train passed a stop signal while a trainee was operating it under the engineer’s guidance.
The TSB report highlighted that the engineer failed to respond to the trainee’s requests for assistance due to experiencing cognitive decline. This breakdown in communication and situational awareness among the crew led to a delayed response in applying brakes to halt the train before the signal.
The investigation revealed that CN accepted incomplete or missing annual diabetes assessments for the engineer. Marier criticized Transport Canada for failing to conduct audits or oversight on CN’s compliance with railway medical regulations for 12 years, allowing the engineer with Type 1 diabetes to work without proper medical supervision.
Marier emphasized the importance of regulatory oversight in all transportation sectors, pointing out inconsistencies in the medical fitness assessment guidelines for employees with diabetes compared to other transportation sectors.
The TSB investigation identified over 180 CN employees with diabetes and highlighted the need for monitoring employees with medical conditions that could lead to cognitive declines.
CN responded by stating they take TSB investigations seriously, learn from incidents, and prioritize safety. Transport Canada affirmed its commitment to enhancing rail safety and noted that CN was found non-compliant with certain Canadian Rail Operating Rules following the incident, resulting in an administrative monetary penalty.
New Railway Personnel Training and Qualifications Regulations are set to be enforced on July 1, 2028, to bolster training and certification requirements for critical railway operation positions.
