Report a pipeline transportation occurrence

Determine whether the occurrence is reportable

If you wish to report—in complete confidence—an act or condition in the Canadian transportation system that is potentially unsafe but is not a reportable occurrence as defined below, use SECURITAS.

The pipeline operator must report the occurrence

Source: Transportation Safety Board Regulations Section 4(1)

If you are not the operator of the pipeline but wish to report—in complete confidence—an act or condition that is potentially unsafe, use SECURITAS.

Call the TSB immediately after discovering one of these types of occurrences

1. An occurrence that results in:
   • a death
   • a serious injury (as defined in the Onshore Pipeline Regulations or the Transportation Safety Board Regulations)
   • an unintended or uncontrolled low vapour pressure (LVP) hydrocarbon release in excess of 1.5 m³ that leaves company property or occurs on or off the right of way
   • an unintended or uncontrolled sweet natural gas or high vapour pressure (HVP) release in excess of 30,000 m³
   • any unintended or uncontrolled release of sour natural gas or hydrogen sulfide
   • a significant adverse effect on the environment (a release of any chemical or physical substance at a concentration or volume sufficient to cause an irreversible, long-term, or continuous change to the ambient environment in a manner that causes harm to human life, wildlife, or vegetation)
   • a fire, ignition or explosion that poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment
2. A rupture:
   • an instantaneous release that immediately impacts the operation of a pipeline segment such that the pressure of the segment cannot be maintained
3. A toxic plume:
   • a band of service fluid or other contaminant (e.g., hydrogen sulfide or smoke) resulting from an occurrence that causes people, including employees, to take protective measures (e.g. muster, shelter-in-place or evacuation)

A TSB investigator is ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Report any type of occurrence in the Online Event Reporting System within 3 hours

The Online Event Reporting System (OERS) is the automated single-window pipeline occurrence notification system established by the TSB and the Canadian Energy Regulator (CER).

After notifying the TSB by telephone, companies must input the occurrence details required by both the TSB (see TSB regulations) and the CER (see CER Event Reporting Guidelines) into the OERS.

The telephone notification and the input of information into OERS are required to occur as soon as possible and no later than 3 hours of the occurrence being discovered.

All pipeline occurrences must be reported using the OERS. Except for the specific types of occurrences listed above, telephone notification is not required.

If the OERS is not available, all pipeline occurrences must be reported by telephone to the TSB at the number below.

Go to the OERS for detailed instructions.

Input the information you have as soon as possible after the occurrence

As soon as possible after the occurrence, enter the information you have about it into the OERS. When the information is submitted, the OERS will automatically notify the TSB and the CER.

Information must be entered in the OERS even if you have reported the occurrence by telephone.

Enter factual information only. Information that is considered a witness statement and/or personal information must not be entered in the OERS.

Submit additional information as soon as available

Provide the remainder of the information required by the TSB through the OERS as soon as it becomes available and no later than 30 days after the occurrence.

If you have any questions or concerns about using the Online Event Reporting System for reporting occurrences to the TSB, call the TSB

• Direct or collect: 819-994-3741
• Toll-free: 1-800-387-3557