Message from the CEO

Last week RISSB delivered its 18th Annual Rail Safety Conference in Sydney. This year’s conference was attended by record numbers and showcased the theme Changing Technologies, Changing Peceptions.

During two days we explored some of the most important challenges that the industry needs to tackle to prepare for future technological advancements in a proactive and forward-looking manner. The format of the conference allowed for presentations from leading experts in different fields and a panel discussion with representatives from ONRSR.

Attracting younger talent to rail and fostering the next generation of technical professionals and innovators are key success factors for our industry, so I was pleased to announce our Horizons Program, a new initiative for rail professionals aged 35 and under, at the conference.

I was also pleased to announce at the conference a new initiative with Engineers Australia (EA); whereby EA members will now be able to have CPD hours recognised for participating in Development Groups, the details of which you will find further in our newsletter.

As this month draws to a close, we are now preparing for our Rail Cyber Security Conference in September and reflecting on the busy month that was.

As always, thank you for your ongoing interest in RISSB and for your support.

Paul Daly
RISSB CEO
 

Horizons Program Open for Nominations 

RISSB is offering a unique opportunity to up and coming technical professionals in the rail industry to be part of shaping rail's technical future. The inaugural Horizons Program, which will run from August 2018 to October 2019, will:

• Engage young professionals to provide technical input into RISSB’s and the rail industry’s future.
• Assist in improving the safety and productivity of the rail industry through RISSB products.
• Provide a forum for knowledge sharing and learning.
• Extend the participants professional network on a national scale both within and outside the rail industry.
• Provide participants with the skills to drive and manage change.

The Horizons Program will bring benefits to the young professional, their organisation and the industry more broadly. The program is open to up to 30 young technical professionals in RISSB member organisations and will include forums, webinars and involvement in RISSB product development and potentially attendance at a range of safety conferences.

Further details are available on the RISSB website and if you want more information please contact Phil Allan at RISSB at pallan@rissb.com.au
 

RISSB Meetings Report

(Please contact Phil Allan for more information on these meetings)

Development of Management of Change Standard

The Development Group for the Management of Change Standard (MoC)  met on 11 May 2018 and worked through an initial draft, making a number of excellent suggestions for changes, inclusions and exclusions. The MoC standard describes the requirements of rail organisations to ensure that changes to railway operations are introduced safely, so far as is reasonably practicable (SFAIRP), along with a step by step process that can be followed. The document will be redrafted before public consultation.

Huge Interest in Sharing Learnings from Investigations

The Development Group for the Management of Change standard met for the first time on 12th April 2018. Development Group members include representatives from ARTC, Metro Trains Melbourne, Queensland Rail, Transport for NSW, Public Transport Authority of Western Australia, Dakar Risk, BHP, Aurizon, DPTLG (SA), Arc Infrastructure, Atkins Global, Rail Safety Consulting Australia, V/Line and AusSafe Consulting. The standard will be drafted over the next few weeks before public consultation is undertaken.

Medical Standards - Proposed Changes

RISSB and representatives from the Chief Medical Officers Council will meet with the National Transport Commission (NTC) on 22 May 2018 to discuss the two proposed changes to the medical standards in relation to sleep apnoea testing and Category 3 medicals. NTC distributed a discussion paper in December 2017 regarding both changes.
 

CPD Credits for Development Group Involvement

RISSB has announced that industry participants will attract CPD hours as part of their involvement with RISSB Development Groups. This applies to Development Groups for all RISSB products– standards, codes of practice and guidelines.  You will be provided with a certificate of your involvement which will include the number of CPD hours. If you are a member of Engineers Australia you can enter these hours into your CPD log. If you are not a member of Engineers Australia you can start to accumulate your hours for when you want to become Chartered or be registered on the National Engineering Register (NER).

As a member of a Development Group, your CPD hours will fit into either of two types – type II which covers technical meetings and type V which is for services to the engineering profession. The type and allocation of hours will depend on your Development Group. The initiative also recognises the contribution you are making to the rail industry through your involvement in Development Groups. RISSB thanks you for your expert input and looks forward to your on-going advice. This recognition through CPD hours reflects RISSB’s thanks for your time and the effort you put into making these critical documents available to the rail industry.
 

RISSB Rail Safety Conference Wrap Up

Last week RISSB welcomed more than 160 delegates to the annual RISSB Rail Safety Conference.  With a theme of ‘Changing Technology, Changing Perceptions,’ delegates were treated to world-class line up of speakers who shared information and expertise on a wide range of topics.  Opened by Paul Daly, RISSB’s CEO, the conference program unfolded with a keynote address from Sue McCarrey from ONRSR discussing the challenges and opportunities associated with being a risk-based regulator before Wednesday’s presenters delved into topics such as fleet maintenance, track technologies, systems assurance in a digital railway, and signalling technology.

The conference dinner that night was a highlight for many, with best-selling author and futurist, Steve Sammartino, entertaining guests with his comedic wit and compelling vision of a future where disruptive technology integrates seamlessly with our daily lives.

The following day was dedicated to knowledge sharing and engagement with RISSB and ONRSR hosting panel sessions, and seven presenters – representing the breadth and depth of industry – outlining how their organisation had risen to the challenge of adopting and implementing new technology.

Thursday was a day of milestones with RISSB announcing its new Horizons Program which will see up to 30 young industry professionals participate in a 15-month long professional development program.

These are just a few of the many highlights from a successful two-day conference which has been described as the best yet.

Thank you to everyone who joined RISSB in Sydney last Wednesday and Thursday for a conference with a difference.
 

Correction

In a recent Communique we mistakenly reported that new Independent Director, Dr Tim Kuypers, is the Principal of UK-based financial consultancy Walbrook Partners. In fact, Dr Kuypers is the Principal and Founder of Australian-based Walbrook Partners.
 

RISSB Supporting Changes to Industry Safety Information Systems

Last week, RISSB co-sponsored the cross-industry Data Strategy Workshop. The key takeaway was that now that the rail industry has its risk model (RISSB’s Australian Rail Risk Model – ARRM) there’s a significant opportunity to overhaul the way industry generates, uses and shares its safety information.

The workshop was the first step towards a more valuable, streamlined system geared towards generating value for all ‘customers’ of rail safety information – not least RTOs themselves!

Watch this space for more information as this work progresses.

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