RISSB Connect Edition 61, May 2024

Edition 61 May 2024 

INSIDE THIS EDITION

+ CEO message
+ 2024 RISSB Rail Safety Awards winner spotlight
+ 2024 RISSB Rail Safety Conference
+ RISSB MasterClass Webinar: The Role of Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) in the Co-Regulation of Major Rail Projects
+ Limited spaces left for our Brisbane Derailment course
+ Member Spotlight

CEO MESSAGE

Well, the RISSB Rail Safety Conference is over for another year. A great range of speakers provided presentations ranging from industry reform to some exciting technical solutions. More than 50 high-quality award submissions culminated in the awards night where five categories of awards were presented to the winners. There was even a mock trial where it was demonstrated, with a bit of fun, the obligations for duty holders to be continually assessing and reviewing risk controls. This showed that organisations are operating safely, “so far as is reasonably practicable”, and in doing so, recognising that duty holders are required to be informed on things that they “ought reasonably to have known”. This is a big task, but one that is made easier through engagement with organisations such as RISSB.

But above all, the conference provided the opportunity for industry collaboration – whether it was over a coffee, over dinner, or questions during the presentations. Genuine, active collaboration is one of the most valuable opportunities that RISSB can provide industry during this period of reform.

Thanks again for all those who contributed and attended, and please be sure to complete the attendee survey that you would have received so we can continue to improve our industry collaboration events.

Damien White
RISSB CEO

2024 RISSB Rail Safety Awards winner spotlight

Industry Safety Professional of the Year

Ann Tomlinson, Founder and Director of Alium Works was awarded the coveted Industry Safety Professional of the Year at the 2024 RISSB Rail Safety Awards in Melbourne last month.

Ann is a highly accomplished and well-respected figure in the Australian rail industry. As a national award winner, she has a proven track record of excellence in rail safety, training, increasing female participation, and consulting. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Ann has made significant contributions to the growth and success of the Australian rail sector.

Ann received the award for her collaboration with Metro Trains Sydney on the pioneering TLI42422 Certificate IV in Rail Safety Management. Alium Works developed and launched the course in 2023 in response to identified industry skills gaps, particularly in project delivery. They recognised an emerging trend of the lack of rail safety comprehension alongside an increase in rail safety-related incidents, pinpointing a crucial void in rail safety management education sector. The course was designed to not only fill this gap but also to enhance operational safety and save lives.

Over the course of 10 weeks, students delve into the intricacies of the Rail Safety National Law, focusing on the application of duties, the responsibilities of holders, and the development of enhanced management systems. This video highlights the students' journey.

Metro Trains Sydney were the first to enroll ten students in the pilot course and witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of this training on their operations and safety culture. The course has significantly advanced Metro Trains Sydney rail safety management practices.

Ann Tomlinson said "the TLI42422 course: developed by industry, refined through industry consultation — a testament to how great courses are born."

2024 RISSB Rail Safety Conference

The 24th Annual RISSB Rail Safety Conference was held at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne on 30 April -1 May and was attended by over 150 rail transport operators, engineers, project managers, investigators, safety professionals and senior industry executives. All with a deep interest in maintaining Australia’s reputation as having one of the safest rail networks in the world. 

The headline theme for this year’s conference was Australia’s Co-Regulatory Model: Don’t Throw the Baby out with the Bathwater and over the two days delegates heard from respected rail industry experts on topics including co-regulation, rail safety, rail safety case studies, level crossing safety, human factors and innovation and technology.

The conference featured keynote speeches from Senator the Hon Carol Brown, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Dr Natalie Pelham, Chief Executive at the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR), and Carolyn Walsh, the Chair of the National Transport Commission (NTC). 

RISSB’s CEO, Damien White, discussed the vision for Australia’s Co-Regulatory Model, explored the opportunities during this transformational environment and how industry can get involved.  

New to the conference this year was a rail safety mock trial which assessed a mock incident and investigation, reviewed the legal arguments in a mock trial set up and allowed everyone to cast their vote before the final verdict was delivered.

The highlight of the conference was the third annual RISSB Rail Safety Awards Dinner at Luminare Rooftop in Melbourne. Congratulations to Ann Tomlinson, Queensland Rail, ARTC, Sydney Trains and Jason Zhou who were the winners on the night.

Access the official photo gallery here and please use the hashtag #railsafety24 if you would like to post any images.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON
Transport Heritage NSW

Transport Heritage NSW is a not-for-profit, member-based organisation. They’re funded by the NSW Government to ensure public access and enjoyment, ongoing care of our heritage assets and support for the wider heritage transport sector.

Transport Heritage NSW manages and operates from a number of sites throughout NSW including the storage and maintenance facility for transport heritage assets at the new Chullora Heritage Hub. For more information click here.

Transport Heritage NSW Limited has been a participating member of RISSB since 2017.