SECTION 17

ACCIDENTS AND MALFUNCTIONS ANALYSIS

Environmental Assessment Certificate Application for the RichmondAirportVancouver Rapid Transit Project

17

Accidents and Malfunctions Analysis

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act requires an assessment of the environmental effects of accidents or malfunctions that may occur in connection with the project. This requirement includes potential construction and operational effects and is intended to ensure that contingency plans are developed to manage impacts and minimize potentially adverse effects.

17.1 Potential Accidents and Malfunctions during Construction

17.1.1 Construction Activities

Construction activities associated with development of the RAV line are expected to include: demolition of existing infrastructure or buildings to accommodate project elements tunneling for guideways, ventilation shafts and stations vegetation clearing in the right-of-way and from areas to be excavated selective tree removal and trimming in areas adjacent to the right-of-way; excavation and removal of soil along the right-of-way and as required for ancillary facilities (e.g., OMC, stations, park-and-ride facility) installation of pilings and spread footings for areas characterized by poor soil foundation conditions construction of guideways using pre-cast and poured concrete construction of an OMC, stations and park-and-ride facility and development of bus exchanges steel fabrication and installation installation of electrical equipment for supply and transmission equipment installation and commissioning paving of parking lot and bus exchange surfaces re-paving of roadways disturbed during construction decommissioning of construction works and storage yards site restoration and landscaping

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17.1.2

Prevention of Accidents and Malfunctions during Construction

Adherence to the practices and procedures outlined in the RFP, as well as the detailed plans to be contained in the Concessionaires Environmental Management Plan (EMP), will minimize the potential for accidents and malfunctions during project construction. Prior to construction, the Concessionaire will submit an EMP to RAVCo that addresses the following key issues: spill prevention and emergency response control of stormwater quality and sediments management of contaminated sites management of hazardous materials management of solid waste control of air quality and dust management of noise landscape design and restoration protection of archaeological and heritage resources environmental training and orientation habitat mitigation and compensation

The EMP will contain a Spill Prevention and Emergency Response Plan that describes measures to be taken in the event of an accident or malfunction during construction. The Plan, which will refer to the BC Guidelines for Industry Emergency Response Plans (MWLAP 2002) and the Canadian Standards Association (CAN/CSA-Z73 I-M91) Emergency Planning for Industry (1991), will facilitate a rapid, safe and effective response to any spill incidents or other types of emergencies that may occur. As described in the outline for the EMP components in SECTION 20.4, the Spill Prevention and Emergency Response Plan will include a policy statement and will describe communications equipment and procedures, preemergency planning measures, employee training programs, response organization and responsibilities during an emergency, notification procedures, spill reporting guidelines, incident site security and site restoration/remediation measures. It will define an emergency classification guide and action plan to be carried out according to the severity and potential

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impact of the emergency. The Plan will also describe the location, capability and limitations of emergency response equipment, as well as instructions for accessing and using this equipment in the event of an emergency. The Plan will provide for the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of areas affected by an emergency, such as a spill. In addition to the Spill Prevention and Emergency Response Plan, other components of the EMP will describe specific procedures and impact mitigation practices to effectively minimize accidents and malfunctions during construction. For example, the EMP will describe: Planning and management activities to address handling and disposal of any contaminated soils and groundwater encountered during construction and disposal of tunnel spoils and/or other excavated materials Hazardous materials handling in accordance with the National Fire Code of Canada, the BC Fire Code, and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and its regulations, including but not limited to, provisions for secondary containment and worker/employee training and awareness Water quality and habitat protection procedures relating to sediment and erosion control and instream works Procedures to manage construction impacts to terrestrial resources, including those in riparian and upland areas

17.2 Potential Accidents and Malfunctions during Operation

The train technology for the RAV line will be an electric-powered propulsion system. Since such a system will not involve any rotating motors or gearboxes, it will not generate the types of waste products that are typically associated with modes of transportation that rely on mechanical motors and require the storage and transfer of fossil fuels. To minimize potential environmental and safety impacts during RAV system operation, it is anticipated that the Concessionaire will adopt the procedures and practices developed during almost 20 years of SkyTrain operation. These procedures and practices include:

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identification of management, supervisory, and employee responsibilities for complying with Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS) air quality, air contaminant, noise level, and light level assessments hazardous materials inventory and procurement control special response guidelines for managing airborne hazards or toxic spills handling of bio-hazardous materials such as hypodermic syringes or items containing blood-borne pathogens Evacuation procedures in the event of a fire or other emergency

SkyTrain operational procedures, protocols and guidelines are updated regularly to minimize potential operational malfunctions or accidents that could adversely affect the environment. Depending on the type of train technology selected, it is anticipated that the Concessionaire will adapt these operational procedures, protocols and guidelines to the new RAV line.

17.2.1

Operational Activities

Activities and actions that will occur during RAV system operation include: movement of trains through residential, commercial and industrial areas movement of trains over bridges spanning the North Arm and Middle Arm of the Fraser River passenger traffic and activities at stations (e.g., loitering, panhandling, etc.) operations at the OMC and Richmond park-and-ride facility

The potential for accidents and malfunctions as a result of RAV line operation is minimal. Operation of the electric-powered trains will not generate any emissions that affect air quality. Potential noise impacts will be addressed during design and through the application of procedures similar to those used for SkyTrain. Potential adverse effects to soil or water quality will be avoided through implementation of the Concessionaires Operations EMP (see SECTION 20.5) and adoption of modified SkyTrain procedures. Soil and water quality impacts associated with SkyTrain operations have been limited to releases of small amounts of potential contaminants, such as the accidental release of

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halon from fire extinguishers during false alarms, application of glycol during de-icing operations and, in 1997, the accidental spillage of approximately five litres of hydrochloric acid, used as a cleaning agent at the OMC. These impacts have been minimized through the continued improvement and refinement of the SkyTrain operational procedures, policies and guidelines.

17.2.2

Maintenance Activities

Maintenance activities associated with the RAV line will involve periodic care of system components to ensure effective and efficient operation. These activities and actions will include: maintenance of rolling stock, stations and power supply facilities, and trackage and guideway structures maintenance of the passenger cars and rail system (e.g., de-icing of cars during winter months, rail grinding,) maintenance of the OMC, Richmond park-and-ride facility (e.g., maintenance of oil/water separators, snow removal, line painting, etc) and other facilities (e.g., power substations, RAV stations) tree trimming and vegetation control emergency repairs

Train maintenance will be undertaken at a new Operations and Maintenance Centre (see SECTION 17.2.3), which will contain equipment necessary for washing and maintaining the RAV train cars. De-icing will be required for the safe operation of the RAV system and, based on experience gained during SkyTrain operation, will likely include three principal components: rail de-icing using an automatic train-mounted applicator or the safe operation of the trains power collection system train de-icing using an automatic system installed at underground stations manual application of de-icing fluid (i.e., glycol) to facilitate the proper operation of train doors

The amount of glycol applied to the SkyTrain system during a typical winter varies depending on weather conditions, but is typically very small. There is

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no recycling or collection system in place, nor is such a system presently intended, given the relatively small amounts of glycol that are typically applied. Drainage design measures to be incorporated into the RAV Project guideway will ensure that glycol discharge is directed away from surface drainages, either through a connection to the to sewer or by infiltration to ground. In any case, the guideway drainage system will be designed to more than adequately handle the small amounts of residual glycol that may be deposited on the guideway.

17.2.3

Operations and Maintenance Centre

The RAV line will be operated and controlled from a new OMC that will include car wash facilities and that will accommodate storage of maintenance supplies and service/inspection vehicles. Small amounts of various controlled materials, such as cleaning agents, hydraulic fluid and oil, fuels, grease and solvents, will be stored at the OMC. There will be no public access to this facility. Commercially available cleaning agents will be used to clean the RAV cars. The Concessionaire will monitor pH levels in any wastewater discharges and neutralize the effluent prior to its release to ensure that it meets acceptable water quality criteria, as determined by the GVRD. Procedures for issuing, handling and storing hazardous or toxic materials, as well as the delivery of staff training, will be implemented and updated regularly. This will include maintenance of service/inspection vehicles used to transport controlled substances, as defined by WHMIS and dangerous goods as defined by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and regulations, from the OMC to other parts of the RAV system. The OMC facility will be equipped with oil/water separators within a storm drain system, and will provide secondary containment for hazardous materials storage areas.

17.2.4

RAV Stations and Power Supply Facilities

It is expected that power substations will be required approximately every two kilometres along the RAV line. These utility structures will house electrical equipment only and will likely be un-manned, requiring only periodic

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maintenance visits. The substations will either be incorporated into the RAV stations or be stand-alone structures situated under or across the street from the guideway. Access to electrical and control rooms will be restricted to authorized personnel. It is unlikely that any oil-cooled transformers will be used in the substations. Should battery banks be situated in the substations, as expected, these will be inspected regularly for potential leaks and spills. To minimize the potential for an incident during the handling and transport of new batteries to the substations or removal of old batteries from the substations, only trained, certified staff will be permitted to engage in these activities. Batteries removed from substations will be temporarily stored in a specified location at the OMC in special containers prior to their removal and disposal by a licensed contractor, under the direction of the Concessionaire. Existing SkyTrain stations utilize halon fire protection systems in critical areas, such as control rooms. Dry chemical fire protection systems are used in all other areas. In the event that halon fire extinguishers are used in the RAV substations, the Concessionaire will implement procedures to minimize the potential for the accidental release of halon during false alarms.

17.2.5

Guideways and Trackage

Track maintenance will involve rail grinding four to five days a week for one to one and a half hours each day during non-revenue service hours. Regular rail grinding is required to smooth the ride and increase operating efficiency. Grindings will primarily be contained within the guideway where they will typically collect into chunks. This material will be periodically cleaned out and disposed of by a licensed contractor.

17.2.6

Tree Trimming and Vegetation Maintenance

The Concessionaire will periodically undertake tree trimming along the RAV alignment to prevent interference with the guideways and to eliminate public safety hazards, as per SkyTrain operational procedures. Private landowners will be advised of trimming requirements, as required. In addition, periodic arboricultural surveys will be undertaken to identify diseased or dying trees

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that could damage the RAV system. Private landowners will be advised of tree removal requirements, as necessary.

17.2.7

Emergency Repairs and Spill Response

Potential emergencies during operation could include train derailments, crashes into the RAV line from other vehicles on adjacent roads, or collision of vessels in the Fraser River with RAV bridge piers. In the event of such an emergency or a power failure, fire or accident that damages any of the system components, emergency response procedures will be initiated as per the Concessionaires EMP and those developed for SkyTrain operation. The emergency response procedures related to accidental spills will refer primarily to the OMC as this is the location where the majority of materials that could spill will be stored and handled, with the possible exception of batteries that are in transit to power substations. Personnel will be trained in emergency/spill response procedures and use of spill response equipment and materials stored at the OMC. Emergency response procedures and emergency phone numbers are listed in recently published safety manuals and these will be distributed to appropriate RAV system staff. With respect to accidents, emergencies or catastrophic events such as an earthquake, tsunami or flood, procedures and links are in place (e.g., Vancouver Emergency Operations Centre (E-Comm), RAV Control Centre, SkyTrain Control Centre, local fire departments, Provincial Emergency Program (PEP)) to facilitate appropriate emergency response actions. It is also noted (see SECTION 18) that the project will be designed to withstand a 1 in 475 year earthquake and a 1 in 200 year flood event on the Fraser River.

17.3 Conclusion
Outlines for the Concessionaires EMP and Operations EMP, presented in SECTIONS 20.4 and 20.5, respectively, describe the range of environmental issues to be considered during planning and design of the RAV Project. In preparing these documents, it is anticipated that, where applicable, the Concessionaire will adopt measures to address potential malfunctions or accidents that are similar to those used on the existing SkyTrain system. Such

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measures, as well as application of procedures set out in the BC Guidelines for Industry Emergency Response Plans (MWLAP 2002) and the Canadian Standards Associations Emergency Planning for Industry (CSA-Z731-M91) will ensure that no adverse environmental effects occur due to accidents or malfunctions during construction or operation of the RAV Project.

17.4 References
Canadian Standards Association. 1991. Emergency Planning for Industry (CSAZ731-M91). Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. 2002. Guidelines for Industry Emergency Response Plans. Available online at: http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/eeeb/indusguide/industcplan.html

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