12 Mar 2025
RISSB Connect Edition 82, March 2025
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Edition 82, March 2025 A message from our CEO | Damien White 
Some of you may have noticed a recruitment call for my position. And whilst it’d be really easy to stay at RISSB because I have a genuine passion for the industry and the work that RISSB does, considering I’ve just had a “milestone birthday” I also recognise that there’s a big wide world out there with all sorts of things to do - both work-wise and personal pursuits. I’ll certainly be looking forward to a bit of a rest and finding time to tick some things off the Bucket List! My last day will be in August 2025. Some will say that’s a way off yet but we all know how time flies. Until then, I will continue to be focused on working with our Board, our Members, Governments, and other key stakeholders to further refine our internal processes and external engagement to best position RISSB for the future. RISSB has a substantial role in driving further advances in safety, efficiency and sustainability in our industry. I will continue to guide RISSB in providing a far greater focus on the value of the work that we deliver, and that we now have a much more focused approach in how we engage with key stakeholders and tell the stories of our achievements that benefit our industry. LATEST NEWS
ALCAM training delivered for Sugar Research Institute in North QueenslandLevel crossings are the biggest risk to safely running rail operations and track owners, train operators, road owners and road users all have a responsibility to make level crossings as safe as possible. To help manage this risk for cane railway systems in North Queensland, RISSB collaborated with the Sugar Research Institute to deliver a first-of-its-kind training in the region. In February representatives from Tully Sugar, Isis Central Sugar Mill and MSF Sugar attended the 5-day ALCAM Survey & Rating Training where they learnt how to identify risks associated with level crossings and to accurately record site data.
Yarra Trams site visitThanks Yarra Trams and its Chief Engineering Officer, Cherie Lee for hosting the RISSB Senior Leadership Team at their New Preston Depot, helping us gain insights into their yard operations and maintenance. The visit was a result of conversations between RISSB and Yarra Trams about the confluence of our expertise in light rail standards and best practices and Yarra Tram’s leadership in the light rail sector. RISSB CEO Damien White said it was great to have the opportunity to see and talk first-hand about Yarra Trams’ challenges and opportunities. It was insightful to observe the work that goes into keeping the tram network running smoothly, and learning about the integration with social enterprises and the positive impact this has on the community. 
 Nominations for the Rail Safety Awards closing soon!A sweet sixteen days to go before the Rail Safety Awards nominations close! Don’t wait! Get your nominations in and tell us about safety initiatives of your colleagues, your team or your organisation, how they're achieving great safety outcomes, and why they should be recognised as winners. The industry will gather to celebrate these achievements and winners at the 2025 Rail Safety Conference and Awards dinner in Sydney on Tuesday, 13 May 2025. PEOPLE SPOTLIGHTRISSB’s Chair Dr Gillian Miles welcomed two Government-Appointed Directors at the February RISSB Board meeting - Amy Lezala, Chief Engineer Rail at the Victoria Department of Transport and Planning and Garry Taylor, Executive Director of Project Delivery for the Western Australian Public Transport Authority. 
Amy Lezala 
Garry Taylor 
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTNew standard sets direction for emerging electrical charging technologyRISSB is excited to issue a new Standard AS 7655 Wayside Electrical Charging Interface for Low Emissions Rolling Stock. Much of RISSB’s work historically has been about harmonising existing State-based Standards. Developing this new Standard has provided the opportunity for industry to proactively set the direction for an emerging technology – effectively to prevent future harmonisation and interoperability issues! RISSB PRODUCT UPDATESProgress report - Derailment Investigation and Analysis GuidelineThe Development Group continues to provide expert technical input in determining the contributing factors of a derailment. During the February meeting the development group discussed the critical aspects of rail vehicle wheel and track interaction as part of a derailment investigation. The revised version of the Guideline is expected to be published in April. Progress report - Code of Practice Light Rail - Management of Rail Safety Worker CompetenciesRISSB has been working with light rail operators (LRO) representatives to develop a code of practice (CoP) to provide consistency in managing the competence of light rail, Rail Safety Workers (RSW). This CoP provides a framework to manage RSW competencies across all stages of employment including, recruitment, training, assessment, and ongoing development, aligning with national rail safety and vocational and education training requirements with consideration for road legislation on a shared road/rail network. Providing harmonisation with Rail Safety National Law (RSNL), and important ONRSR guidance, this CoP will assist LROs determine what is rail safety work, who is a RSW and their obligation for managing RSW competence. The CoP discusses Risk-based Training Needs Analysis (RBTNA) as a technique to identify the skills and knowledge required for RWS to compete rail safety work safely and efficiently. Core topics represented include, the assessment of competence, certification, periodic assessments, maintaining competence, mentoring and development programs, post-incident and returning to RSW role reviews. The next phase in the development of this CoP will be the release of the draft for public consultation to canvas broader industry comments to further improve the quality and safety of the information provided. Progress report - AS 7522 Access and Egress, and AS 7520.1 Body Structural LocomotivesAS 7522 Access and Egress, and AS 7520.1 Body Structural Locomotives have been the subject of targeted reviews in response to the recommendations of the ATSB Report into the derailment of XPT passenger train ST23 at Wallan Victoria in 2020. This accident tragically resulted in two fatalities of the train crew in the XPT locomotive cab, serious injuries to eight passengers and minor injuries sustained by 58 passengers and onboard crew. The review of these Standards has specifically analysed and updated requirements for the quantity, location and accessibility of emergency exits, crashworthiness performance, and doors and glazing (especially in the event of a vehicle rollover). Both Standards are currently out for Public Consultation. Current calls for Public Consultation AS 7520.1 Body Structural Requirements – Part 1 Locomotive Current calls for Public Consultation AS 7522 Access and Egress Current calls for Public Consultation AS 7637 Hydrology and Hydraulics Current calls for Development Groups AS 7645 Rail Corridor Management TRAINING AND EVENTSUndertake a Derailment InvestigationThis course provides an overview of the mechanisms and factors that contribute to derailments, and advice on how to collect, inspect and interpret evidence. Investigate Rail Safety IncidentsThis course seeks to teach course attendees how to conduct and document any investigation into a railway safety incident. It builds on industry best practices and promotes a ‘just culture’ approach for investigations. RISSB MasterClass webinarsThe People Movement Analytics initiative TrackSAFE Foundation – Working Together to Save Lives Rail Safety Conference Speakers announcedThe 25th annual Rail Safety Conference has an impressive list of speakers addressing the theme "Ensuring safety continues to lead the way in a challenging regulatory environment". Bringing together operators, manufacturers, contractors and government stakeholders, the event will explore:
If you've read this far, you definitely need to grab a ticket to attend! Industry's partner in co-regulation RISSB supports and works hand in hand with the Australian and New Zealand rail industry to provide the essential tools rail organisations need – good practice Standards, Codes, Guidelines and Rules.   
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