The Transportation Safety Board is urging the federal government to enhance its supervision of how railways evaluate the medical fitness of employees. This recommendation follows an inquiry into a 2023 incident involving two Canadian National Railway trains near Wainwright, Alberta, approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Edmonton.
During the examination, it was revealed that a train conductor had been given clearance to operate despite incomplete medical assessments related to his Type 1 diabetes. Yoan Marier, The Transportation Safety Board’s chair, disclosed in an interview with CBC News that on August 8, 2023, a train went past a stop signal while a trainee was operating it under the guidance of the conductor. The conductor, experiencing cognitive decline, did not respond to the trainee’s requests for assistance.
The TSB stated in a news release that due to inadequate guidance and a breakdown in communication among the crew, the trainee failed to apply sufficient braking to stop before the signal. The investigation found that several mandatory annual diabetes assessments were either incomplete or not conducted at all, yet were accepted by CN without proper oversight from Transport Canada for over a decade.
Marier emphasized that regulatory oversight, especially in the rail sector, is a key concern for the TSB. He pointed out discrepancies between the railway industry’s standards for assessing employees’ medical fitness, particularly those with diabetes, and the guidelines recommended by Diabetes Canada or those used in the air and marine transportation sectors.
The TSB investigation also revealed that more than 180 CN employees have diabetes, and there are other staff with medical conditions that may lead to cognitive impairments requiring monitoring. Marier stressed the importance of ensuring that employees are medically fit to perform their duties, especially in safety-critical roles like operating trains.
In response, CN spokesperson Ashley Michnowski stated that the company takes TSB investigations seriously, applies lessons learned to enhance operations, and prioritizes safety. Transport Canada affirmed its commitment to improving rail safety in Canada and mentioned that after the incident, CN was found in violation of Canadian Rail Operating Rules and was issued a penalty for three rule violations. New Railway Personnel Training and Qualifications Regulations will be implemented on July 1, 2028, to bolster training and certification requirements for critical railway operation roles.