Watchlist 2012
The Watchlist is a list of safety issues investigated by the TSB that pose the greatest risk to Canadians.
In each case, actions taken to date have been inadequate and concrete steps must be taken on the part of industry and the regulator to eliminate these risks.
Aviation issues
Transport Canada does not always provide effective oversight of aviation companies transitioning to safety management systems, while some companies are not even required to have one.
- Transport Canada must effectively monitor the integration of SMS practices into day-to-day operations. Moreover, SMS practices need to be adopted by all companies.
Landing accidents and runway overruns continue to occur at Canadian airports.
- In bad weather, pilots need to receive timely information about runway surface conditions.
- Airports need to lengthen the safety areas at the end of runways or install other engineered systems and structures to safely stop planes that overrun.
There is an ongoing risk of aircraft colliding with vehicles or other aircraft on the ground at Canadian airports.
- Improved procedures and the adoption of enhanced collision warning systems are required at Canada's airports.
Fatalities continue to occur when planes collide with land and water while under crew control.
- Improved non-precision approach procedures, along with a wider use of technology, are required to reduce the number of this type of accident.
Marine issues
The number of accidents involving loss of life on fishing vessels remains too high.
- Industry needs to adopt and promote safe operating procedures and practices to increase safety knowledge of fishing vessel operators.
- Government should work with industry to improve training and awareness and provide a stronger regulatory framework to support these initiatives.
Transport Canada does not always provide effective oversight of marine transportation companies transitioning to safety management systems, while some companies are not even required to have one.
- Transport Canada should require all commercial vessels to have SMS, and all SMS should be certified and audited.
Rail issues
There is no requirement for on-board video and voice recorders on locomotives.
- The rail industry should ensure that communications in locomotive cabs are recorded.
There is a risk of a serious train collision or derailment if rail signals are not consistently recognized and followed.
- Further safety defences should be implemented to ensure that signal indications of operating speed or operating limits are consistently recognized and followed.
The risk of passenger trains colliding with vehicles remains too high in busy rail corridors.
- Transport Canada must implement new grade crossing regulations, develop enhanced standards or guidelines for certain types of crossing signs, and continue its leadership role in crossing safety assessments. A comprehensive solution must also include further improving public awareness of the dangers at railway crossings.
Watchlist brochure
A brochure that summarizes Watchlist safety issues is also available: