PUBLICATIONS

Open Calls For Public Consultation

AS 7642 Turnouts And Other Special Trackwork

Open Calls For Development Group Members

AS 7504.2:2022 Brake Components – Part 2 Brake Discs and Pads

AS 7725 Application Based Work On Track Authority Systems Update

The Development Group has been meeting regularly over the past 2 months, looking at electronic methods of applying, suspending, and fulfilling work on track authorities. These systems provide significant safety benefits to both track workers and network control officers, with this Standard aiming at helping the industry better understand how they can be used.

Railway Structures And Railway Earthworks Update

The review of both these Standards has finished. The independent validation process has now commenced, with the draft reports expected later this month. At this stage it is hoped the Standards will be finalised before the end of the year, and published early 2022.

Standard: Railway - Energy Storage Update

Work has recently commenced on the development of a new Standard: Railway – Energy Storage that will describe the requirements for assembly, manufacturing, maintenance and interfacing of rolling stock energy storage solutions providing efficiencies and innovations in rolling stock engineering. As RISSB's first Railway – Energy Storage product, this Standard will cover both existing and emerging battery and capacitor type energy storage solutions for use on rolling stock in Australia. The first full draft of this Standard is well underway and anticipated to be distributed to the Development Group in the first week of December for review.

Standard: Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Update

The new Standard: Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) is another publication under development.  The Development Group for this publication had their first meeting on the 4th of November. Initial discussions were focused on hazards and headings for the Standard. The first full draft is well underway and anticipated to be distributed to the group in the first week December for review.  

INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS

RISSB Visits Puffing Billy

RISSB visited heritage railway Puffing Billy and their new Lakeside Visitor Centre earlier this week ahead of its official launch today.

The Lakeside Visitor Centre delivers premium facilities and attractions for tourists, day-trippers and school groups, honoring the rich history of the century-old heritage steam railway. For more information about the visitor centre and Puffing Billy, go to  this website Puffing Billy - Melbourne

GENERAL NEWS

RISSB AGM Outcomes

RISSB's seventh Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held virtually earlier this week.

Members confirmed the minutes of last year’s AGM, accepted the Financial Reports for FY2020-21, reappointed RISSB's auditor and endorsed the Strategic Plan 2017-22.

Importantly, Members endorsed:

* David George as Independent Chair for a further term of three years; and,
* Deb Spring and Tim Kuypers as Independent Directors for a further term of three years.

Members also approved a special resolution to change RISSB’s Constitution reducing the quorum required for a general meeting of Members from 50% to 20%.

RISSB Membership Reaches New High

Recently we reached another membership milestone, welcoming our 130th member to the RISSB family. Towards the end of the year, membership growth shows no signs of slowing down with more members coming on board just this week.

Welcome New Training Manager

Sandra Weston joined RISSB earlier this week as the new Training Manager bringing with her over 25 years’ experience in all facets of learning and development including learning management roles within construction, mining and rail.  Sandra has demonstrated experience in project management and is passionate about the evaluation, design, development and implementation of bespoke learning outcomes.

Sandra will lead the development and implementation of the RISSB Training Framework to meet the long-term objectives of RISSB and its stakeholders.

Ideas Welcome For RISSB Training 2022 / 23

This month we will be reviewing our training and assessment strategies to ensure that we are providing the highest level of training to the rail industry and planning effectively for 2022 / 23.  As part of this assessment, we are seeking industry feedback / ideas on what RISSB could deliver in 2022 / 23.

What training would you like us to develop? What training needs have you identified in your organisation? Please let us know the title, topics to be covered and the format you believe would work best, e.g., online, face to face or blended via email.

Please send your ideas to  training@rissb.com.au by Friday, 10 December 2021. If you would like to discuss your idea with RISSB, please contact Phil Allan at pallan@rissb.com.au.

EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

Horizons Program 4.0 Nominations In

Wow! Thank you to everyone for the spectacular response to the call for nominations for Horizons 4.0.   Phil Allan (pallan@rissb.com.au ) will be in touch within the next week with all who have nominated.

The program will commence in February 2022 with the first face to face forum scheduled to be held in Melbourne in March 2022.

Last Webinar For The Year

Our last MasterClass webinar for 2021 was held on Tuesday. Despite the time differences and a 5PM (AEDT) start,  approximately 80 people attended the event to hear from George Davies
Director Sustainable Development at the UK's Rail Safety and Standards Board.

A recording of this webinar has been added to our recording library housed on the 'Grand Central' page on our website and is now available to our members.