The Whistle Board Newsletter – December 2017

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

A busy year for RISSB comes to an end

2017 has been a very busy, transitional and productive year for RISSB, and as we all count down to the Christmas celebrations and a well earned rest, it is good to reflect on the year that was and celebrate the wins not only for RISSB, but for all of industry.

There were many firsts for RISSB in 2017.  It was the first time RISSB held the Priority Planning Process online, it was the first time RISSB met its financial year targets as well as conducting the industry’s first Rail Cyber Security conference, and it was the first time (in 150 years) that RISSB was able to get agreement across industry on the seven fundamental operating principles for the National Rules!

Along with our firsts, RISSB also restructured its organisation and its product development process, moved into new offices in Brisbane, and of course successfully launched the Australian Rail Risk Model.

None of this would have been possible without the hard working staff at RISSB who continue to work with and for all stakeholders in the rail industry to ensure that harmonisation and safety occurs in a timely and professional manner.  On behalf of myself and the RISSB Board, I would like to thank all staff for their tireless efforts this year.

Rest assured that RISSB does not intend to rest on its laurels in 2018.  Another busy and productive year is planned as we move into the 2018 priority planning process, establish an office in Melbourne and welcome new staff into the fold to continue working closely with industry, government and the ONRSR to build quality products for all rail.

On behalf of everyone here at RISSB, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support, and wish you and yours a most Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe New Year!

ARRM UPDATE

It's been almost a month since RISSB launched ARRM in front of a crowd of 200 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. We caught up with RISSB's General Manager of Safety and Innovation, Jesse Baker, to find out what's in store for 2018.

Q            ARRM launched on 20 November, now what?
The next step in the deployment of ARRM is to train people to make sure ARRM users understand the system, how to use it (how not to use it!), and how to interpret the results. After that, ARRM managers will be set up at each organisation to manage the other ARRM users in their organisation.

Q            Why do I need training?
The information in ARRM can be used for very important things, from supporting investment decisions to underpinning safety cases, it could be used to form the basis of interactions with the regulator e.g. as part of SFAIRP justifications, and lots of other things. For this reason we’re not simply ‘opening the doors’ to let people figure out ARRM for themselves, but we’re working with them to make sure rail companies get the maximum value from ARRM.

Q             How many people have been trained?
The training sessions are starting to form in December 2017 and January 2018, initially with the major RISSB member organisations that participated in the project. After that, sessions will be set up with other stakeholders.

Q             Where will training be held?
In capital cities across the country. If you’re interested in receiving training – let us know! To regsister for training, please send an expression of interest to info@rissb.com.au.

Q         Who should come along to training?
Everyone! RISSB member organisations that participated in the project to deliver ARRM will access personalised risk information specific to their business. Other RISSB members will view (anonymised, aggregated) whole-of-industry information. Even if you’re not a RISSB member, we still want to hear from you. We can show you ARRM; and after you’ve seen it you’ll probably want to become a RISSB member!

Q             Why should I use ARRM?
ARRM provides the rail industry with an objective, quantitative tool to help organisations understand the quantum of safety risk associated with their operations and where, across those operations, that risk arises - with no additional reporting burden. This invaluable tool will form a tremendous input into decision making, especially in decisions that have safety considerations which, let’s face it, in the railway ... is all of them! ARRM will provide a robust, consistent support to the risk based approach required by the Rail Safety National Law, and help industry in its duty to reduce safety risk ‘So Far as is Reasonably Practicable.’

ARRM LAUNCH PHOTOS

We're still reminiscing about our ARRM launch. We hope you enjoyed the night as much as we did.

DEVELOPMENT GROUP OPPORTUNITIES

We rely on input from rail professionals to ensure our standards best reflect the needs of the rail industry. We regularly seek nominations for subject matter experts and affected stakeholders to form development groups whenever we work on a new standard. Being part of a development group gives you the opportunity to contribute to industry-recognised, accredited Australian Standards, as well as other products that will shape the future of the rail industry.  Our current development group opportunities are available on our Communiques page.

HELP SHAPE OUR 2018/19 WORKPLAN

As you know, each year RISSB invites input from its rail partners (in fact, any interested stakeholder) in helping to determine its forward work plan. Last year was the first time we’d taken that process online, a step which saw a significant increase in participation and a broader representation from across rail sectors and jurisdictions. In March next year we’re going to do the same, taking a few opportunities for improvements from lessons learnt.

In readiness for that, we’d like to invite you to submit any ideas for new Standards, Codes of Practice or Guidelines that RISSB could usefully develop for national application. Strictly speaking, there is no deadline (you’re welcome to submit an idea to RISSB anytime), but to be considered for RISSB’s 2018/19 workplan, I’d urge you to submit your idea sooner rather than later. There are things that we need to do in the months leading up to March as part of our prioritisation process.

The success of your idea/s will come from:

·       its expected impact in supporting interoperability/harmonisation across Australia’s railways,
·       its potential to improve national safety levels,
·       the likely financial impacts (e.g. cost reductions) it would deliver, and
·       its environmental benefits.

As such we ask that submissions give thought to these and describe benefits in the form provided, along with other important pieces of information. The more thorough your submission, the better the decision making process in prioritising new ideas.

The second part of the form relates to the actual project of delivering your proposed document. This will help RISSB in planning its resources as we move toward the new financial year. Any information you can provide here will help us understand your proposal better, and help us in managing the project itself.

The work that RISSB does is for the railway, and by the railway; this is your chance to be involved. Thank you in advance for being part of this important aspect of RISSB’s process.

RISSB Products for Prioritisation form

Ideas to be submitted to info@rissb.com.au

AUSRAIL 2017

RISSB was pleased to exhibit at the recent AusRAIL+ 2017 held in Brisbane.

Following on from the successful launch of ARRM the night before, the interest in the risk model was strong with a steady stream of people visiting RISSB's stand to learn more about ARRM as well as attend an ARRM workshop with Jesse Baker.

We look forward to meeting even more people at Light Rail 2018 and Core 2018.

OUR POPULAR RAIL SAFETY COURSE SET TO RETURN IN 2018

We are set to recommence our Rail Safety Investigation Course in 2018.  Last run in late 2016, RISSB has taken time to listen to the feedback of industry on the methodology and style of delivery, and has worked throughout 2017 reformatting the course material.  Our new course will create a pathway to achieving an industry-recognised qualification.

Offering professional development and education opportunities to our members, and with a renewed focus on quality, RISSB is partnering with a registered training organisation that will deliver best practice content through facilitators with relevant experience in, and understanding of, the rail industry. 

RISSB is very pleased to be recommencing this course, and is confident that the changes made over the past few months will make the course even more beneficial to its members across Australia.

Visit our Events page in 2018 for more information.

XMAS BREAK

Our office will close COB Friday, 22 December 2017 and reopen on Tuesday, 2 January 2018.

To our members and stakeholders, thank-you for your ongoing support throughout the year. We look forward to working with you in 2018 and delivering on your expectations. 

Wishing you and your team a safe, but Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Follow RISSB on Twitter - @TheRISSB

Connect with us on Linkedin - Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (Australia)