RISSB Connect Edition 86, July 2025

Edition 86, July 2025

Well, it’s been three months now since I joined RISSB and what a busy three months it has been. I’ve been making my way around meeting and speaking to more of our members and it’s becoming clearer to me what you need from RISSB. 

I’m hearing common themes from members that you want us to be more influential and to have a stronger voice. You want us to have the technical expertise that builds trust and that we have the right people on our standards development groups and that the outputs are a true representation of where the industry needs to head. 

We are very fortunate that so many of our members volunteer their resources onto our standards development groups, and that’s what makes RISSB an important part of our rail industry. We do have a genuine representation across the industry from private operators, public operators, industrial unions, suppliers, academics and infrastructure managers. The ability to bring such a broad group of people together is what makes RISSB a valued organisation. 

We have a great opportunity to strengthen participation in these standards development groups and I’m keen, with your support, to ensure the right people with the right skills continue to be released to support this important work. Ultimately our goal is on delivering standards that are implemented and drive greater harmonisation nationally, and through ensuring the right people are on our development groups, you can have greater confidence that the right outcomes are being developed in our annual standards work plan. 

In signing the Memorandum of Cooperation with the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers (ITMM) to support the national rail system interoperability, our Chair Dr Gillian Miles has insured RISSB is on the path, contributing its expertise and capabilities in standards development to drive greater safety and interoperability outcomes across the rail industry. 

But we know we have barriers to adoption. These were identified in the Harmonisation of Rail Standards Research Project Report which you can find on our website. It’s an important part of my leadership at RISSB that we work with industry to find better ways towards the adoption of standards to drive greater harmonisation. I look forward to hearing from you on what we could be doing differently to support this objective.

RISSB stepping up to support national cabinet priorities

RISSB PRODUCT UPDATES

Product update - RISSB releases new and updated standards

RISSB released 10 products in June aimed at advancing the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of Australia’s rail industry. 

Developed in response to industry incidents, reports and emerging needs, and with the support of ONRSR, these new and updated products represent a significant opportunity for harmonising safety standards across the rail sector. The products include:

• Guideline – Monitoring of Fatigue Risk Management Programs – Work Scheduling and Rostering - updated as required by the Rail National Safety Law
• AS 7520.1 – Rolling Stock Body Structural Requirements – Part 1: Locomotive - in response to Wallan safety incident
• AS 7637 – Hydrology and Hydraulics - adequate planning and design in an environment of increasingly extreme weather events
• Code of Practice – Light Rail – Management of Rail Safety Worker Competency - guidance and harmonisation for a fast growing sector
• AS 7522 – Access and Egress - in response to Wallan safety incident

TRAINING AND EVENTS

Register now for Horizons 7 and grab your early bird discount!

ALCAM training in Karratha

In June, RISSB delivered the ALCAM training course to participants from FMG, Rio Tinto and BHP in Karratha, highlighting our commitment to supporting rail safety across all corners of Australia. 

Regional Western Australia plays a key role in Australia’s freight and resource sectors, making it vital that local rail professionals are equipped to assess and manage the many level crossing and the risks they pose. Building this capability helps strengthen safety outcomes where rail infrastructure intersects with busy industrial operations.

Delivering training on the ground also helps connect regional rail professionals with national standards and best practice, fostering knowledge sharing, and supporting consistent, informed decision-making.

Do you need to perform ALCAM assessments on level crossings? Reach out to training@alcam.com.au to register interest for future ALCAM Survey & Rating Training courses.