
Irving Oil failed to adequately train employees in transportation of dangerous goods
Irving Oil Commercial GP was sentenced on Friday following guilty pleas in Saint John Provincial Court to 34 counts for offences under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, according to a Federal Government press release.
The Court ordered Irving Oil to pay a total of $400,320 in fines and $3,599,680 for the implementation of research programs in the field of safety standards under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and its Regulations.
Irving Oil was also ordered to submit a corrective measures plan and follow-up with Transport Canada.
“As Minister of Transport, my thoughts continue to go out to the community of Lac Megantic and all those affected by this tragedy. Today, we close another chapter in this tragic event through a settlement that we have reached with Irving Oil. Rail safety remains my top priority. Transport Canada continues to closely monitor the safety of rail operations and the system, as well as the safe transportation of dangerous goods by all modes of transport across Canada,” said Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Federal Government.
Following the train derailment in Lac Mégantic, Quebec on July 6, 2013, a joint investigation by Transport Canada and the RCMP revealed Irving Oil did not comply with all safety requirements – failing to determine classification of dangerous goods for the crude oil it transported, and the shipping documents on board were erroneous.

Irving Oil also failed to adequately train its employees in the transportation of dangerous goods, thereby committing an offence contrary to the Act.
These offenses occurred over an eight-month period (Nov. 2012 to July 2013) during which approximately 14,000 cars transported crude oil for Irving Oil.
The regulations established under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act focus on the protection of the environment and the physical safety of people and property.
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