Lac-Mégantic Case Study
Part A: Factors affecting Lac- Mégantic
In the Lac-Mégantic case, there are 6 key factors that led to the disaster in Lac-Mégantic.
1. The first factor was the very poorly repaired engine’s oil tank that MMA repaired with an “epoxy-like material that lacked the required strength and durability.”[1] MMA decided to repair the engine in this fashion due to the expensive nature of a full repair. This poorly repaired engine led to the igniting of the engine on the train which caused the firefighters to intervene and shut down the train. Weight: 15% This is weight is 15% because it ignited a fire on the locomotive that caused firefighters to shut it off. This caused the fault the engineer created to lead to the movement of the train.
2. The second …show more content…
Therefore, by changing this whole way of thinking would greatly reduce the chances of an incident such as the Lac-Mégantic. Initially, preventing this whole incident.
4. The fourth factor was the considerably weak structure of the train tanks. Although, the MMA tanks met with the requirement of the law, they were on the lower tier of strength. This added with very volatile ‘Bakken oil’ improved the chances of puncture and explosive power. This led to over 95% of the derailed cars to release oil [3]. If MMA improved their tanks’ structure this definitely would have reduce the destruction. Weight: 5% This weight is 5% because reduced the amount of damage caused by the derailment, but not a major factor.
5. The fifth factor was mechanical problems left unattended. An engineer reported mechanical issues with the train’s lead locomotive two days before the incident yet was left unrepaired and left operational leading up to the incident. This created higher risk potential as it compromised the adequate levels of operations of the train and continuous wears down the lead locomotive to insufficient levels.[4] Weight: 15% The weight is 15% because the train was very wearied down and assisted in setting the engine
In the Lac-Mégantic case, there are 6 key factors that led to the disaster in Lac-Mégantic.
1. The first factor was the very poorly repaired engine’s oil tank that MMA repaired with an “epoxy-like material that lacked the required strength and durability.”[1] MMA decided to repair the engine in this fashion due to the expensive nature of a full repair. This poorly repaired engine led to the igniting of the engine on the train which caused the firefighters to intervene and shut down the train. Weight: 15% This is weight is 15% because it ignited a fire on the locomotive that caused firefighters to shut it off. This caused the fault the engineer created to lead to the movement of the train.
2. The second …show more content…
Therefore, by changing this whole way of thinking would greatly reduce the chances of an incident such as the Lac-Mégantic. Initially, preventing this whole incident.
4. The fourth factor was the considerably weak structure of the train tanks. Although, the MMA tanks met with the requirement of the law, they were on the lower tier of strength. This added with very volatile ‘Bakken oil’ improved the chances of puncture and explosive power. This led to over 95% of the derailed cars to release oil [3]. If MMA improved their tanks’ structure this definitely would have reduce the destruction. Weight: 5% This weight is 5% because reduced the amount of damage caused by the derailment, but not a major factor.
5. The fifth factor was mechanical problems left unattended. An engineer reported mechanical issues with the train’s lead locomotive two days before the incident yet was left unrepaired and left operational leading up to the incident. This created higher risk potential as it compromised the adequate levels of operations of the train and continuous wears down the lead locomotive to insufficient levels.[4] Weight: 15% The weight is 15% because the train was very wearied down and assisted in setting the engine