Industrial Strength Podcast – Episode 13: Rail Car Incidents: Hazards, Response, and Lessons Learned

Episode Overview:

In this episode, Jeff, Randy, and Steve tackle a listener-requested topic: hazardous materials transported by rail and how to handle rail car incidents on industrial sites. Sharing real-world experiences, near-miss stories, and detailed response strategies, they explore the complexities of managing rail cars carrying flammable, toxic, corrosive, and even radioactive substances. With their signature mix of humor and technical expertise, they also preview a future deep-dive on the infamous East Palestine incident.

Segment Breakdown & Timestamps:

00:00 – Introductions & Topic Setup

• Hosts reintroduce themselves and introduce the episode’s theme: rail car incidents.

02:45 – Common Hazmat in Rail Transport

• Flammable liquids (e.g., crude oil, ethanol), toxic gases (e.g., chlorine, ammonia), corrosives, explosives, and radioactive materials.

06:12 – Site-Specific Rail Car Challenges

• Unique dynamics of industrial endpoint users.
• Managing large inventories (e.g., up to 150 cars on site).

10:28 – Risks of Rail Car Operations

• Mechanical failures (e.g., bearings, brakes).
• Human error, poor weather conditions, outdated tank cars (DOT-111).

16:10 – Safety Measures & Industry Collaboration

• Upgraded cars (DOT-117), monitoring systems for hot bearings.
• CN Railroad’s free onsite training praised as a model for preparedness.

22:40 – Response Protocols for Rail Incidents

• Evacuations, shelter-in-place, cordoning off zones.
• Using ERG guides and placards to identify contents and hazards.

28:15 – Mitigation & Containment Tactics

• Plug-and-patch methods, chlorine C-kits, environmental protection.
• Transfer complexities and scale of response for large volumes.

34:40 – Realistic Cleanup Timelines

• Hours to years depending on severity, chemical type, and location.
• Discussion of regulatory restrictions, leak containment, and off-site transport bans.

40:00 – Case Examples & Notable Incidents

• Canada’s 2013 Lac-Mégantic disaster.
• East Palestine, OH (2023): preview of a future deep-dive episode.

45:50 – Importance of Preplanning and Equipment

• Value of readiness: PPE, containment tools, patch kits, drones.
• Site-specific examples like rail line derailments and valve leaks.

50:32 – Wrap-Up & Listener Call-to-Action

• Call for rail-related experiences, gear tips, and training practices.

53:00 – Teaser for Next Episode

• Next episode topic: Bromine — a dense, hazardous chemical in use on site.

Do you handle rail cars at your site? Had a near miss or a notable incident? Share your story at [email protected] — and help shape future episodes.

Stay tuned for next week's discussion on bromine, a heavy, volatile chemical that poses unique challenges in both handling and response.