Transport Canada proposes changes to dangerous goods regulations

Canada's Transport Minister Omar Alghabra this week announced proposed amendments to regulations that govern the transportation of dangerous goods across the country.

Transport Canada proposed the regulatory changes to promote more consistent training and certification for employees who handle and transport dangerous goods, including by rail, agency officials said in a press release.

The proposed amendments call for:
• introducing a competency-based approach to training and assessment;
• incorporating by reference the new training standard developed under the guidance of the Canadian General Standards Board; and
• aligning training requirements with a series of international codes.

The changes were proposed to help reduce the risk of incidents involving dangerous goods, said Alghabra.

About 70% of dangerous goods are transported by road in Canada. Air, marine and rail transportation account for the remaining 30%.