Investigators have now released their findings
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is looking into an accident that left a Windsor railway worker injured at Ojibway Yard.
The occurrence happened on Feb. 16, 2025, during switching operations at the Essex Terminal Railway facility.
According to the TSB, two rail cars released in a kicking move rolled at about 5 km/h and struck a maintenance employee who was clearing snow from switch points with a gas-powered leaf blower. The worker was seriously hurt.
The accident happened at about 10 am, while a three-person crew from Essex Terminal Railway was conducting a yard assignment. The injured employee, who had 13 months of experience, was standing between the rails of the lead track. Investigators found he was facing the direction of the approaching cars but was looking down, and noise from the blower prevented him from hearing a shouted warning.
The employee was knocked to the ground and dragged briefly when the blower became caught under the rail car. He was transported to hospital.
According to the report, job briefings between the maintenance employee and crew members had taken place earlier that morning but did not cover hazards, the planned switching moves or the worker’s location. The employee did not have a radio and typically relied on a personal cellphone to communicate with supervisors, which limited coordination.
Weather conditions at the time were –2 °C with strong northwest winds and about 5 cm of snow on the ground.
After the incident, Essex Terminal Railway introduced new procedures. Tracks must now be locked out and flagged before snow clearing, and switching operations must stop until maintenance is finished. The company also provided radios to maintenance employees and implemented a rule preventing operating crews and maintenance workers from being in the yard at the same time.
The TSB stressed the importance of thorough job briefings, clear protection procedures and effective communication in rail yards.
The investigation concluded on Aug. 27 and was released publicly on Sept. 18, 2025.
