RISSB Connect Edition 55, March 2024

Edition 55 March 2024 

INSIDE THIS EDITION

+ CEO message
+ Nominations closing soon for the Rail Safety Awards
+ Who’s-who-in-the-zoo for Victorian rail
+ Secure your spot at the next RISSB training course
+ Innovative level crossing trials for rural and regional NSW 
+ 2024 Rail Turnouts workshop
+ Member Spotlight 

CEO MESSAGE

It was great to see Aurizon receive a $9.4m grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) towards the development, testing and trialing of a battery electric tender to convert diesel electric locomotives to a hybrid diesel and better configuration. RISSB’s current work directly related to this project (Australian Standard 7655 Wayside Electrical Charging Interface for Low Emissions Rolling Stock, and the Rollingstock Standards – Zero Emission Review Project) will help ensure that industry takes a consistent approach moving forward.

Much of RISSB’s work over the past twenty-years has been focused on standardising and harmonising Australia’s historical operating standards and rules. There still remains much to do to better align our legacy systems - this work is critically important in order to improve the safety and efficiency of our industry’s operations. We need to combine that work with the opportunity to establish new Standards at the very start of the development of new technologies – such as the work we’re doing on wayside charging.

This is an exciting time for RISSB to be driving both harmonisation to resolve historical inconsistencies, and to be at the forefront of setting Standards for new technologies. RISSB’s 2024/25 Work Plan is currently under development and is expected to feature both of those work streams to continue to deliver value for industry and governments.

Damien White
RISSB CEO

Secure your spot at the next RISSB training course

Further face to face RISSB training courses have been released for the remainder of 2024 and places are filling fast. Below is our current 2024 training calendar.

RISSB courses are designed to drive technical innovation and industry improvements for a safer, more productive and more sustainable Australian and New Zealand rail industry. Don't miss out on this learning opportunity! You can find out more and secure your spot by visiting our website here.

Contact training@rissb.com.au to discuss course delivery options and how they can be customised to a particular rail organisation. There are discounts for RISSB members and for bulk bookings.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON
Metro Trains Melbourne

Metro Trains Melbourne operates, maintains, and builds Melbourne's rail network, and have been participating member of RISSB since 2015.

Last month, Metro Trains Melbourne released their second volume of the Train Services Trauma Recovery Guidebook. The guidebook provides layers of support, preparing and supporting train drivers in responding to traumatic incidents that occur on network.

Traumatic incidents on the rail network can have a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of drivers and the wider staff. The first edition was developed in 2022 and aimed to be a guide to support drivers before and during a traumatic event. This second edition adds to that with new experiences direct from  drivers and more support for their families.   

Metro Trains Melbourne CEO Raymond O’Flaherty says ensuring the mental and emotional health of their team is just as critical as their physical safety. “The reality is that our train drivers often face traumatic events such as encountering trespassers on the network, which can have a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of our team members.” 

For more information you can visit Metro Trains Melbourne's website by clicking here.