Study on Supply Chain Analysis for Canadian Toxic Gases

BACKGROUND As part of its mandate, Transport Canada (TC) and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Program develops standards and regulations, provides oversight and gives expert advice to promote public safety in the transportation of dangerous goods by all modes of transport in Canada. TC has focused recently on improving safety in the movement of toxic gases (primary class 2.3 dangerous goods) across Canada. Toxic gases play an important role in supporting the national economy, both in industry and in agriculture, keeping Canada safe and competitive. There are 67 toxic gases within this class however only 6 of these have been found to move by rail in Canada over the past 3 years. They include anhydrous ammonia (NH3), chlorine gas (Cl2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), which represent approximately 98% of the volume moving by rail, and ethylene oxide (C2H4O), hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and other agricultural insecticides which make up the remaining 2%. While we have information on movements of these goods by rail, there are gaps in their movement by road and other modes of transportation. Given the dangerous characteristics of toxic gases, it is important to understand where, how, and how much this commodity moves across Canada. Knowledge of the supply chain will help us fill any data gaps. The study of the supply chain should include the manufacturing, production, transportation, and distribution of toxic gases as well as by-products and waste generated in the manufacturing and distribution processes.  STUDY MOTIVATION  The Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Directorate is the focal point for the national program to promote public safety during the transportation of dangerous goods. The TDG Program serves as the major source of regulatory development, information and guidance on dangerous goods transport for the public, industry and government employees. Movement of toxic gases and toxic inhalation hazards (TIH) through the supply chain creates risk for shippers, rail carriers, and the general public. In order to help measure this risk, it is necessary to adequately understand where, when and how much of these materials move across the country so that we may quantify the dangers and subsequently mitigate the associated risks. The information that we currently have available does not adequately reflect how toxic gases move across Canada. Beyond what we know moves by rail, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the movement and routes of TIH materials. There is also little known about the dangerous goods associated with the manufacturing and movement of TIH materials, their by-products and waste products. Our objective is to collect as much data and information as we can to fill in any gaps and to fully understand the movement of these goods in by way of a thorough supply chain analysis. The goal of this exercise is to support TDG Program’s mandate to promote public safety through understanding both the risks and possible consequences associated within the supply chain and manufacturing of TIH materials. TC expects that the related data, analysis, and conclusions of this study will support the Program, provide insight into emerging trends in the sector, and by extension, a deeper understanding of how toxic gases (class 2.3) are manufactured, produced and moved from various activity centres across Canada. This knowledge is required by the TDG Program in order to continue fulfilling its delegated activities under SO 3 of the aligned program architecture. OBJECTIVE The objective of the proposed study is to determine from a safety perspective the supply chain of the top five toxic gases (DG Class 2.3) Transport Canada Contracting Authority: Brenda Borland Contracting Officier Materiel, Contracting, Security & Facility Management - AFTC Tel: (613) 990-3416 E-mail: brenda.borland@tc.gc.ca A bid must comply with the requirements of the Terms of Reference and meet all mandatory technical evaluation criteria to be declared responsive. The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement. Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.