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1. Introduction

Annex 1 - Best Practices

Annex 1 to the Guide for Developing, Implementing and Enhancing Railway Safety Management Systems (SMS) is to be read in conjunction with the Guide and provides practical advice and suggestions for railways on how to meet the requirements of Transport Canada’s Railway SMS Regulations. The annex contains excerpts from relevant standards and guidelines, as well as specific examples of SMS methods and approaches that have been adopted by various Canadian railway companies to implement the 12 components of safety management systems required by section 2 of the regulations.

The examples contained in this document are organized under the component sub-headings, A to L, from Chapter 3.1 of the Guide (Regulatory Requirements). These examples are provided for information and discussion purposes. Railways may wish to incorporate many or all of the elements into their operational processes or modify them to suit the operation of the individual railway. Examples suitable for use in smaller operations can be found in Annex 2 – Best Practices for Small Railways. Definitions are listed in Appendix B of the Guide.

Annexes 1 and 2, and the Guide itself, are intended to assist railway companies in developing, implementing and enhancing SMS, pursuant to section 37 and subsection 47.1(1) of the Railway Safety Act. The publications have been developed through the collaborative efforts of Transport Canada, the rail industry and railway unions, under the auspices of the Safety Management Systems Working Group.

 
Date modified:
2010-11-26