RISSB Connect Edition 16, May 2023

HAVE YOUR SAY

Public Consultations

Help harmonise Australia's railways by providing feedback by this Sunday on one of two draft Australian Standards. 

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

RISSB Projects Moving Past Consultation

Since the last RISSB Connect, we have had three draft publications close for public comment:

* AS 1085.18 Railway Track material - Screw spikes and threaded inserts

* AS 7520.04 Body structural requirements

* AS 7518 Rolling stock - Suspension springs and dampers.

Thank you for contributing to the development of these important industry documents.

Over the coming weeks our industry Development Groups will review the comments received and update the draft accordingly as we move towards publication. Your contributions will ensure that these documents are valuable, contemporary and most of all, safe.

TRAINING AND EVENTS

Taking Bookings for Last Two Undertake a Derailment Investigation Courses for 2023

We are offering two more public Undertake a Derailment Investigation courses in 2023. The June (Melbourne) course is now fully booked and limited spaces are available for the July (Sydney) and November (WA) courses. So, get in quick if you'd like to secure your spot!  

About the course
This foundation course provides participants with an understanding of the principles, methods and requirements for investigating derailments.  Upon successful completion, attendees will receive a nationally recognised qualification - TLIF5023.

What's covered
* 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.

If you're interested in attending the Sydney or Melbourne course, 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. 

We can also organise a bespoke inhouse course for your organisation, please send an email to training@rissb.com.au for further information.

Professor Anjum Naweed Next MasterClass Webinar Presenter

Our next webinar presenter is Professor Anjum Naweed from CQ University's Appleton Institute.

Professor Naweed will be joining us at 12PM (AEST) on Tuesday, 23 May to discuss  the importance of systems thinking in rail and how it may be used to tackle complex, safety-critical, and often, very costly industry problems. 

 Attend if you would like to understand:

* The basics of human factors in complex systems
* The importance of human factors science for safety, health, productivity, and well-being
* The importance of systems thinking and becoming a ‘systems thinker’  
* Emerging knowledge of safety science and associations with cultural maturity
* Application of causal loop diagrams to understand system behaviours.

Register to attend using the blue button below this story.

GENERAL NEWS

UIC Harmonisation and Interoperability Conference

The International Union of Railways (UIC)  is holding its UIC Asia-Pacific Conference on Interoperability and Rail Harmonisation, in Melbourne, Australia, on 22-23 June 2023.

To register to attend and to read the tentative program, go to this page.

Q What is your name?
Shayne Carvolth

Q What is your position?
Zero Harm Manager QLD - Sustainability

Q Who is your employer?
Downer Rail & Transit Systems

Award winning safety achievements
I've spent 35 years at Downer. I commenced employment in 1983 at Walkers, now Downer, as an apprentice Boilermaker manufacturing rollingstock and performing general engineering work. He worked outside of the rail industry for five years before returning to Downer in 1994 as a Boilermaker and then Quality Officer, manufacturing, overhauling and performing quality assurance activities for several types of rollingstock. I accepted a Safety Coordinator position in 2010 and advanced to the Zero Harm Manager which is my current role. Downer has provided opportunities for me to develop my rail safety skills and knowledge at other Downer Rail operations supporting facilities in Adelaide, Port Augusta, Melbourne, Newcastle, Townsville, Nebo, Bowen, Gladstone and Brisbane.

Influencing workers to remain focused on safety at all times in what can be a high risk work environment for the untrained person requires innovation and ongoing commitment. This is the most important role of the safety professional. I plan and schedule with our HSE Committee, and the support of management, several safety campaigns at key times in the year. 

Reduction in injuries is  direct result of a proactive safety culture, celebrations for significant milestones highlights everyone's ongoing commitment to safety. 

We achieved 1500 days LTI free in 2018 and 2022 and also 961 in 2011.

Our previous best achievement was 1680 days LTI free or approx. 3,575,400 man hours worked.

Q What does your job entail?
My work is varied and includes:
* Demonstrating visual active leadership in safety to influence workers on a journey to Zero Harm. I provide support and advice to over 500 permanent workers. ​​​​​In Maryborough, we also have up to 500 visitors per week onsite, including politicians, Downer staff from other states, customer representatives, contractors, truck drivers, delivery drivers and suppliers etc.

* Providing education, awareness and training on Downer's safe system of work.

* Mentoring and sharing my knowledge and experience with other safety professionals and those who are responsible for the safety of workers in their teams.

* Use a practicable approach to help onsite workers understand  legislative and Downer’s requirements to make safe choices while performing work every day.

Q  Why am I passionate about rail safety?
I have a strong focus on family, and I am committed to ensuring that all workers go home safely to their family and loved ones.

Q  What's a fun safety fact that you'd like to share?
Fact”, over 50 percent of all injury-involved accidents occur at home.

“Question”, do we all take our safe work principles and practices home with us?