RISSB Connect Edition 15, May 2023

INSIDE
THIS EDITION

+ Public Consultations
+ Safety and Operations Standing Committee Meets
+ AS 7497 In Cab Safety Recording Devices Update
+ SPAD/LRTAE Symposium Held
+ National Qualification for Derailment Course Recognised
+ Bruce Wooldridge Appointed Standards Development Manager

PRODUCTS

Public Consultations

Help harmonise Australia's railways by providing feedback on a draft Australian Standard.

AS 7702 Rail Equipment Type Approval
This updated Standard was informed by the findings of a study commissioned by RISSB and the Australasian Railway Association that reviewed the range of type approval processes used across the country. The study found that industry and governments could save time and money by adopting a more nationally consistent standardised process as there are currently:

* Inconsistencies and duplication of effort across jurisdictions resulting in increased costs
* Inconsistencies in type approval requirements
* Processes that constrain competition and innovation by making it prohibitively difficult to obtain type approval for new products and technologies.

This Standard provides guidance on harmonised type approval processes covering:

* Cross acceptance (mutual acceptance) between rail transport operators and suppliers
* Minimum requirements for product information/acceptance pack documentation
* Recognising the competency of those undertaking type approval evaluation
* Recognition of other applied (applicable) type and trails testing. Visit this page for more information.
Comments close on Sunday, 21 May

AS 7635 Track Geometry
The purpose of AS 7635 Track Geometry is to provide a harmonised and consistent approach to managing track geometry across jurisdictions. 

This Standard was first published in 2013 and the work being done now is part of its maintenance and will ensure its ongoing value to industry.  This revised  Standard notably includes additional design parameters for broad gauge and revised geometry defects thresholds and responses for plain line track.

Visit this page for more information
Comments close on Sunday, 21 May

AS 7497 In Cab Safety Recording Devices Update

In the last few days, the decision has been taken to put a brief hold on the development of AS 7479. If you’re close to this issue you’ll be aware that law makers are progressing with related legislation, and there are some key points being debated that must be resolved there so that they can be reflected in the Standard.

All of the good work done to date has been captured, and we’re looking forward to resuming our work on this publication in the coming weeks.

GENERAL NEWS

Safety and Operations Standing Committee Meets

On Tuesday RISSB held a virtual meeting of our ‘Safety & Operations Standing Committee’ where we presented the progress we’re making on forming our work plan for the next financial year, as well as how we’re tracking on our current year’s work plan.

We’re very grateful for the guidance and support we get from our senior stakeholders in our Standing Committees

TRAINING AND EVENTS 

SPAD/LRTAE Symposium Held

On Thursday last week, immediately following our annual  Rail Safety Conference, V/Line (with support from RISSB) hosted a SPAD/LRTAE Symposium for industry.

It was a very productive event with speakers covering a range of technical and human factors subjects, and sharing research highlighting some valuable group work on how to better share SPAD information, how to leverage technology and  determining whether or not we’re measuring the right things.

We took away a list of actions to explore – a very positive event. Thank you V/Line!

National Qualification for Derailment Course Recognised

RISSB in partnership with their training provider CERT,  are pleased to announce that the current RISSB Derailment and Investigation Workshop has been accepted by ASQA and will now issue the national qualification TLIF5023 Undertake a derailment investigation.  This change will take effect from 1^st July 2023 and to reflect this change the course will now be titled Undertake a derailment investigation. 

This foundation course provides participants with an understanding of the principles, methods and requirements for investigating derailments. Attend if you'd like to learn about:

* The investigation processes
* Theories of derailment
* Regulatory requirements
* Derailment report submissions
* The true cost of derailments to an organisation
* Infrastructure derailment triggers
* Operations derailment triggers
* How human factors contributes to derailments
* Track construction maintenance and measurements
* Wheel rail interface issues
* Turnout and yard derailments.

The next course available is in Sydney on 11-13^th July inclusive.  Places are limited and filling fast.  If you're interested in attending, please register via the RISSB Training Page www.rissb.com.au/training-courses/face-to-face-courses/ or book directly with the RISSB Training Manager,  Sandra Weston sweston@rissb.com.au.  

PEOPLE

Bruce Wooldridge Appointed Standards Development Manager

Bruce Wooldridge has joined RISSB as the Rolling Stock Standard Development Manager.

Bruce is a qualified Mechanical Engineer with over 37 years’ Australian and International experience in the rail industry encompassing rolling stock design and maintenance, project management, rail operations, engineering management, technical advisory, strategic sourcing and business development. During his working career, Bruce has been employed across a wide range of rail companies including freight and passenger operators, government, consultancies, designers, manufacturers, maintainers, and component suppliers.

Bruce is a subject matter expert in all aspects of rolling stock engineering and operations including: light rail vehicles; locomotives; freight wagons; passenger diesel multiple units; locomotive hauled passenger trains; and passenger electric multiple units.

Bruce joins RISSB after 10 years as the National Manager Rolling Stock for Hatch LTK.