Intermodal Terminal Safety & Regulations - Canada

In the interest of providing a safe environment for our employees and customers, the following safety and yard regulations must be complied with when operating vehicles within the terminal.

Yard Safety and Regulations

1. NEVER stop on railway tracks. Always be alert for train movements on ANY track, at ANY time, in ANY direction.
2. Turn vehicle engine off while being served by gate clerk.
3. Stay in your truck at all times except to lock/unlock chassis pins or identify your container for pick-up.
4. Before leaving your cab, a safety hard hat, safety glasses, reflective safety vest and CSA approved safety boots MUST BE WORN.
5. Train time is at any time – train movements have the RIGHT OF WAY, all truck and machine movements must yield to train movements, observe and follow all posted signs or lights at railway crossings.
6. Ensure headlights are on in the terminal at all times.
7. Talking on cell phones is NOT permitted while driving or being served.
8. Climbing onto any Intermodal equipment, including mobile/gantry cranes or rail cars is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
9. Any transported products that may be harmful to the environment and/or CN property and that are discovered leaking must be reported immediately to the CN supervisor on duty.
10.  The use, possession, presence in the body, distribution or sale of illegal drugs and/or alcohol on company premises including vehicles and equipment is prohibited.
11.  Do not litter. No exceptions. All violations are subject to a fine.
12.  It is the driver's responsibility to remove any dunnage or garbage from empty CN units before being brought to the terminal.
13.  Please avoid confrontation with CN personnel and report any incidents to the CN Supervisor on duty.
14.  All equipment must be taken to the correct location specified on the Terminal Interchange Receipt (TIRP) provided at the in-gate. Any exception must be authorized by a gate clerk or yard supervisor.
15.  Bad order (red tagged) containers must remain on the chassis and be brought directly to the garage area for immediate inspection. If immediate repairs cannot be made, the bad order container should be left at the garage and the driver may retrieve a good container (green tagged).
16.  All dangerous commodities containers must have (4) properly displayed placards.
17.  Respect all posted speed limits for paved and non-paved areas of the terminal.
18.  Avoid parking close to container stacks during windy conditions.
19.  Do not drive under containers or trailers when suspended by equipment or place any body parts (hands) under or between a suspended load and a chassis.
20.  When receiving a container from any Intermodal crane, the proper procedure is to pull ahead of the container you require. When the Intermodal operator has the container ready for loading to your chassis, carefully back up and the operator will load the unit to the chassis. Once the Intermodal crane has moved away, quickly secure the locks and exit the terminal.
21.  Make sure your chassis is container ready prior to being serviced by the Intermodal operator. Chassis needs to be set to the proper length, set for high cube or standard unit, if applicable, and all twist locks fully unlocked.
22.  Carters must yield to all Intermodal cranes. Do NOT drive behind the machines when the blue beacon light is flashing, which indicates that the unit is backing up.
23.  Do not drive too close to stacked container piles in the terminal. Other trucks, Intermodal cranes or shunt trucks travel between these containers and can appear without warning.

Emergency Plan

If the siren sounds:

1. Shut down tractors and vehicles in case the spill involves flammables.
2. Follow CN employees' lead. If they drive or walk from the area, do the same.
3. Follow employees to an emergency gathering site.
4. If no CN employee is visible:
   • Do not automatically attempt to make your way back to the main office or gate. You may be safe where you are and you could be headed to where the danger is.
   • If you can determine the site of the incident from your location, locate a windsock and evacuate crosswind and/or upwind and report to an emergency gathering site.
   • If you cannot determine where the incident is from your location, attempt to find or contact an employee.
5. Report to the emergency responder (CN employee directing traffic).
6. Remain at the gathering site as instructed by a railway official, or police and fire officials.

In an emergency evacuation: Stop your movement immediately, as you may/may not be required to unhook your tractor. Walk, don't drive, to the closest designated evacuation site.

Be prepared to follow instructions of a designated CN Safety Representative and/or Emergency Warden, who will provide verbal and/or hand signals directing the route to leave the terminal.

Failure to comply with the above rules and regulations will result in expulsion from the terminal and notification to your dispatch.