Ottawa Ontario - Canada said Friday new rail cars used to transport fuel would be reinforced in order to avoid a repeat of the devastating explosion in Lake Megantic last year that left 47 people dead.
 
The structural integrity of the DOT 111 tank cars involved in the accident came under scrutiny following the accident, after it emerged the US Department of Transportation had identified safety flaws in the early 1990s.
 
Canadian Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt said from now on DOT 111 tank cars would be required to be designed to meet stringent new safety regulations.
 
"It will require that new DOT 111 tank cars be built with thicker steel requirements, as well as adding top fitting and head shield protection to the tank car," Raitt said in a statement.
 
"DOT 111 tank cars are used for transporting dangerous goods of high and medium danger, such as crude oil. Industry is already building new tank cars to this standard."
 
The new rules come into effect on Saturday.
 
Discussions with the oil industry were ongoing over the question of whether older DOT 111s which did not comply with the new standards would continue to be used. (Editor's bolding.)

Author unknown.

Editor's Note: Article abridged.