The Lac-Mégantic Train Derailment – A Study of Safety Deficiency

SPEAKER:

Don Mustard
Regional Senior Investigator, Railway/Pipeline
Transport Safety Board of Canada

Mr. Don Mustard is a Senior Investigator with Rail and Pipeline Investigations at the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). For the last 12 years he has been an Investigator-In-Charge (IIC), Standards and Performance Specialist, and team member on numerous completed rail and pipeline accident investigations, including Lac Mégantic. Previously, he spent 13 years providing geological and communication services to resource companies and Canada’s nuclear regulator.

Mr. Mustard holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of British Columbia, and a B.A.A. in Radio & Television Arts from Ryerson Polytechnic Univesity. In 2014, he received an Excellence in Investigation Award for his contributions in the investigation of the VIA Rail train derailment at Burlington and a Public Service Award of Excellence for his contributions to the Lac Mégantic investigation. His research work has been presented and published at international industry events such as the International Heavy Haul Association and the International Level Crossing Safety and Trespasser Prevention Symposium.

SYNOPSIS:

In the early morning of July 6, 2013, a Montreal Maine and Atlantic train carrying 7.7 million litres of petroleum crude oil derailed in the Town Lac-Mégantic just past the Frontenac Street crossing. 47 people died, a town was devastated, and a nation wondered: how did it happen, why did it happen, and what needs to be fixed to make sure it never happens again.

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) is an independent investigation agency tasked with answering those questions, and making recommendations to regulators and industry on what must be fixed. This presentation will introduce the audience to the TSB. It will lead them through the sequence of events and underlying safety deficiencies. It will consider what steps have been taken to address those deficiencies and challenge the audience to consider what safety systems need to be in place to ensure the actions taken today will improve safety.

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DRESS CODE:

Business Attire or Jacket and Tie

MEETING NOTICE:

A printer friendly copy of our event notice will be available shortly.