Training requirements for industrial railways

Required courses for employees directly or indirectly involved in moving rail equipment.

Overview

Employees in safety critical positions take courses 1 to 9 below.

Employees directly involved in the movement of rail equipment must take courses 1 to 7 below.

Employees not directly involved in the movement of rail equipment must take courses 2, 3, 4, 6 and 10 below.

Required courses

Use the Training Tracker Matrix tool to help organize and track your progress through each course listed below.

Table 1. Courses and descriptions

CourseCourse titleDescription
1Industrial Railways Operating (IROR) including Railway Radio Communications RulesApplicable operating rules from schedule one of the Industrial Railway Operating Rules.
2Dangerous Goods (only required when handling dangerous goods)From Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Canada).
3Car Air Brake SystemsIdentify and explain the purpose of each major component of a freight car air brake system and how it works.
4Car SecurementIdentify and apply the rules for testing hand brakes in securing equipment.
5Equipment Handling and Switching StrategiesIdentify the operating conditions that will affect the selection of the safest and most effective equipment handling and switching strategies, then apply these strategies safely.
6Freight Car InspectionSchedule 4 of the Industrial Railway Regulations.
7Core Safety Rules

Explain and apply basic safety rules for working in and around rail equipment, including but not limited to the following:

  • on or about tracks
  • 3-point protection
  • handbrake operation
  • entraining, detraining, crossing over and riding equipment
  • hand operated switches (throwing switches)
  • operating derails
  • coupling and/or adjusting misaligned couplers
8Engine Operation

Identify and apply the rules and procedures for:

  • safe starting the equipment
  • considerations and steps for initiating a movement
  • considerations to be made while operating
  • engine brakes
  • safety control systems
9Engine Inspection

Identify and apply the steps to take in inspecting the equipment:

  • develop and implement a plan for equipment inspection for the equipment being used
10Basic Core Safety Rules

Explain and apply basic safety rules for working in and around rail equipment, including but not limited to the following:

  • on or about tracks
  • entraining, detraining and crossing over equipment
  • operating derails
  • use of blue flags

Streetcars

The Streetcar Guidelines apply to streetcars operated wholly or in part within the confines of a historical park or similar park or site.