One Year Ago: The Lac-Mégantic Train Derailment

Posted on July 22, 2014April 8, 2025 by teamA-GG

This July, we mark the passage of one year since the tragic train derailment in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec in Canada. On July 6^th, a 74 car freight train carrying crude oil went off the tracks, leading to the explosion of several tank cars.It became the fourth deadliest rail accident in Canadian history when the explosions destroyed over 30 buildings in Lac-Mégantic and killed 42 people (with another 5 missing and presumed dead).

Regulations in Canada were changed in 2011, two years prior to this incident, to require that tank cars have a thicker shell. This safety standard was changed because of the “high incidence of tank failures during accidents” of the older models. Unfortunately, the older tank car models were still allowed to operate and were therefore still in use on many trains in 2013 – including the train involved in this accident. According to news reports of the incident, the derailed tank cars created a ball of fire that was around 3 times the height of the downtown buildings, rupturing and causing 4 to 6 initial explosions that could be felt up to 2km away from the site.

Our thoughts are with the people of Lac-Mégantic, a town of only 6,000, who are grieving for those lost in this tragic accident last July. They have dealt with the aftermath of this event all year round, banding together as a community to work toward recovery. One of the responses to this event has been an investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. The organization requested a review of the Canadian Rail Operating Rules from Transport Canada, as well as special securing instructions for railways.

This accident drives home the importance of safety first when transporting goods – regardless of what those goods are. Of course, crude oil classifies as “dangerous goods”, but all rail transport has a responsibility to maintain safe procedures and proper securement at all times. We hope incidents like this can be prevented in the future.

>> Complete Packaging Systems works closely with all rail carriers and shippers to ensure compliance standards are met on a consistent basis. Should you wish for one of our securement specialists to review your loading practices, please do not hesitate to contact us. More from Complete Packaging Systems:

Complete Packaging Systems Volunteers at Camp for Children with Cancer

Posted on July 17, 2014April 8, 2025 by teamA-GG

Here at Complete Packaging Systems, we firmly believe in giving back and doing our part for the community.

That’s why on June 13^th, we closed up shop and our entire staff spent the day volunteering at Camp Oochigeas!

Camp Oochigeas is a volunteer-based organization for kids with cancer. The camp gives these children a place to just be kids and enjoy the fun of summer camp, despite their illness. What makes Camp Ooch (for short) so amazing is the medical care it provides for the kids while they’re on-site.

Camp Ooch is partnered with the Hospital for Sick Children, with a paediatric oncologist and three oncology nurses available 24/7 while the kids are at camp. This way, they can receive the expert medical attention they need in the “Med Shed”, without having to forgo the experience of summer camp.

Right now, Camp Ooch is the only camp in Canada to offer IV chemotherapy, and blood and platelet transfusions on-site.

We feel that Camp Ooch’s cause is important, and that children with cancer should be able to get the fun, exciting, summer camp experience that most of us remember so fondly from our own childhoods. On June 13^th, we helped prepare the camp for the incoming onslaught of kids by painting, cleaning, fixing up fishing equipment, getting the stations ready, and more!

It was a great experience and we are glad to have been able to play a small part in helping kids with cancer have a fun-filled summer to remember. Complete Packaging Systems is committed to helping Camp Ooch prepare for the summer every year, and we look forward to going back next spring!

If you’re interested in donating to Camp Ooch, click here! It’s a worthy cause. They also provide information for people who’d like to volunteer. >> Learn more about Complete Packaging Systems here, or contact us today. Recent Posts from Complete Packaging Systems:

Announcement: Dunnage Bag AAR Compliance

Posted on July 4, 2014April 8, 2025 by teamA-GG

As we recently discussed in a previous blog post, making sure your dunnage bags are AAR compliant and up-to-date with their AAR safety verification is absolutely essential. Otherwise, you face significant risks to personal and public safety, as well as potential damage to your cargo.

Complete Packaging Systems is proud to announce our Cyclone Dunnage Airbags are listed in the Association of American Railroads PPPPD Verification Listing.

Attached you will find the most up-to-date AAR table/chart, which illustrates all manufacturers/distributors having achieved successful product verification. The document displays the verification date, by dunnage bag level, type of proprietary valve system, and the materials used to produce the dunnage bag.

Click here for the latest AAR Verification List.

This list is the latest version of the AAR Verification List, which you will notice has been updated since our last post on this topic.

Remember, to determine whether you are using a “verified” dunnage bag, and meeting compliance with the AAR and all Class 1 railroads associated, review the verification date published, then evaluate whether today’s date is in excess of 3 years. All dunnage bag manufacturers are required to submit products, by level and material substrate every 3 years for “re-verification”.

If you are using a product deemed not to be “verified” by AAR, you could be positioning your company to be non-compliant and potentially liable for all costs related to matters proven to be the fault of a failed dunnage bag.

Complete Packaging Systems is an industry leader in the securement of forest products, and other “high density” shipments, and we take great pride in providing the best technical resources to our valued customers. We provide on-site technical training to our customers, as well as rail shippers in general. CPS representatives are diligent to ensure best practices are deployed, ensuring a safe and efficient workplace for all.

>> Please contact us at any time, should you wish to review your compliance requirements. We would be happy to provide guidance focusing on development of comprehensive SOP’s (Standard Operating Practices) in your shipping department.

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