TSB finds alcohol had a role in 2021 Prescott train crash
Report cites booze as contributing factor in collision that halted major rail line
Alcohol consumption was cited as a contributing factor to a 2021 head-on train collision in Prescott after a 2½-year investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
On Sept. 2, 2021, a westbound CN freight train (train 149) collided with a stationary train (train 532) in a siding just west of the Edwards Street overpass in Prescott. The manually operated switch connecting the siding to the main line was routed incorrectly. The resulting collision saw one crew member seriously injured while two other crew members received minor injuries.
About 1,000 feet of track were damaged, and four locomotives and 16 cars derailed in the headon collision.
The TSB released its report Wednesday, citing alcohol consumption by the rail traffic controller (RTC) as a contributing factor to the collision.
“The investigation determined that, at the time of the accident, the rail traffic controller had a complex workload, and his attention was diverted to other competing tasks,” the report said. “When he issued permission to train 532 to enter the main track, he assumed that train 149 had already passed the switch. Additionally, he did not obtain the required location report from train 149 before permitting train 532 to access the main track.”
RTCS are to confirm when a manually operated switch is used. Manually operated switches do not have sensors that report back to the dispatcher office. When the crew of the Toronto-bound freight train realized the switch was routed incorrectly, they applied the emergency brake to attempt to stop the train.
The moving train collided with the stationary train at about 60 km/h.
“Under CN’S Policy to Prevent Workplace Alcohol and Drug Problems, the RTC submitted to a mandatory post-accident breath-alcohol test; the results indicated that the RTC was either drinking alcohol at the beginning of his shift or had significant alcohol intake the early morning of or the night before work. The RTC’S performance and level of attention were likely affected by the persistent effects of alcohol consumption.
“Alcohol impairment involving employees in safety-critical positions can have significant adverse outcomes, affecting the safety of crews, passengers, and the environment.”
According to the report, the RTC’S blood-alcohol level was tested about two hours after the derailment occurred, as per company policy. At the time of testing, the RTC’S blood-alcohol concentration was 0.023. The BAC was estimated to be between 0.044 and 0.069 at the time of the collision, and between 0.064 and 0.109 at the start of his shift.
According to the TSB, neither the Railway Safety Act or associated regulations restrict the time that alcohol can be consumed by employees before going to work. CN has specific company policies, but employees are to self-assess. In comparison, the Canadian airline industry has specific times before work that alcohol and cannabis cannot be consumed.
“Given that in Canada no time period prohibiting the consumption of alcohol by railway employees in safety-critical positions is required, the board is concerned that such employees could perform their duties while under the influence of alcohol,” the TSB report concluded.
The report, which is considered a Class Three investigation by the TSB due to the nature of the derailment, was to be issued within 450 days from the incident. The TSB report was issued after more than double that amount of time.
Portions of the report were leaked online after a Feb. 12 hearing between CN and the Teamsters union, which represents rail traffic controllers.
At the time of the derailment, traffic on the main CN rail line between Toronto and Montreal was suspended for more than 24 hours until temporary track could be built to reopen the line.
Via Rail service between Toronto and Montreal was also suspended.