Investigation into truck explosion brings TDG recommendations

OTTAWA (April 1) — A truck whose cargo of explosives detonated following an accident west of Sudbury, Ont., last August was in compliance with dangerous goods regulations, an investigation into the cause of the mishap revealed.

The vehicle, operated by Christie Transport of North Gower, Ont., was carrying 18,000 kilograms of blasting explosives when it left the road at 90 km/h near Walden, Ont. and hit a rock cut. An “intense, extensive” fire caused the explosives to discharge, said the report released yesterday.

The driver, who was later charged with dangerous driving, was rescued by two passing truck drivers.

The trailer was carrying three different blasting agents. Transport Canada’s regulations permit the carriage of these three explosives in a single vehicle because they pose no threat when mixed. The fire, likely fuelled by spilled diesel, reached a temperature of at least 1170 C — too hot for the explosives to withstand, investigators said.

The investigation was conducted by Natural Resources Canada and Transport Canada and aided by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Ontario Provincial Police.

The final report contains recommendations to prevent similar accidents. Three are directed at Transport Canada, which regulates transportation of dangerous goods. One recommendation was directed at Natural Resources Canada, which administers the federal Explosives Act.

The report calls for further research into such things as:

> reductions in the allowable load limits for explosives;
> closing a loophole in the Explosives Regulations governing the hours of work for truck drivers, and perhaps reducing those hours;
> joint carriage of detonators and explosives;
> positioning of trailer landing gear and tractor fuel tanks; and
> a prohibition of aluminum trailers carrying explosives.

Canadian Trucking Alliance chief executive officer David Bradley said his association supported the investigation, but expressed concern about some of the recommendations.

“Will reducing the allowable load limits put more trucks carrying explosives on the highways?” he asked. “What are the traffic patterns? Are current federal enforcement resources adequate? Is the Government of Canada in compliance with international standards for the joint carriage of detonators and explosives?”

Bradley also cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the impact of driver fatigue have may had on the accident. The report reached no conclusions on whether driver fatigue was a factor or not.

Drivers who haul explosives are restricted to 10 hours driving per 24 hours.

A source at Transport Canada said the driver had been on duty for about three hours after several days off when the accident occurred.