Chief Medical Officers To Explore A National Fit Slip Form

The Chief Medical Officers Council (CMOC) met on 6 October 2020 to discuss a range of issues. It was agreed a priority is to explore the option of a nationally consistent fit slip for AHPs across the country to use. This would lead to less errors, improving safety and simplify AHP training.

CMOC also agreed to look at a national disclosure form which would make clear to rail safety workers, the consequences of failed medicals and their appeal rights.

RISSB About To Open The Doors To New Ideas

We’re fast approaching that time of year when RISSB starts to consider what to include in its next workplan; a process we call our Priority Planning Process (PPP).

It is often the case that taking a national approach can lead to great improvements in safety, harmonisation, interoperability, cost reduction, performance, customer satisfaction and/or environmental impacts and it’s RISSB’s role to affect such improvements.

Please keep an eye out for announcements in the coming weeks inviting your suggestions for new Standards, Codes of Practice and Guidelines. If there is an issue that you’re aware of, where a national approach would be advantageous, then we will want to hear from you!

RISSB's Rail Safety Conference - Not 1 But 2 Panel Discussions      

This year's Rail Safety Conference features not 1, but 2 industry-leading panel discussions over 2 days.

On Day 1, we have a safety leaders panel facilitated by Damien White, EGM - Inland Rail Integration, ARTC.

Featuring 3 senior executives, Damien will be facilitating panel discussions about safety leadership in some of the largest network owner/operators and rail transport operators in Australia.

Sharing their insights will be:

• Catherine Baxter, Chief Operating Officer, Metro Trains Melbourne
• Kylie Gallasch, Group Executive Corporate Services & Safety, Australian Rail Track Corporation
• Scott Cornish, Executive General Manager, Safety, Risk and Assurance, Queensland Rail.

On Day 2, our popular interactive 'Ask the Regulator' panel returns.

Get your questions ready for ONRSR's:

• Sue McCarrey, Chief Executive 
• Peter Doggett, Chief Operating Officer
• Julie Bullas, Executive Director Policy, Reform and Stakeholder Engagement
• Simon Foster, Executive Director, Technical. 

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To view the comprehensive Rail Safety Conference agenda, please go the conference website. 

Please click on the blue 'Register to Attend' button below this article if you want to attend the conference.

AS 7715 Train Detection

With the publication of AS 7651 Axle Counters, the Train Control Systems Standing Committee asked the Development Group to consider how the two Standards aligned. Following a meeting last week, the Development Group recommended that AS 7715 be amended to reflect the publication of AS 7651. This amendment is now available for public comments.

AS 7659 Point Locking And Point Detection

After a hiatus this development has recommenced. At last week's meeting a number of areas were reviewed, and the scope expanded to cover point drives. Further research will be conducted over the coming weeks and presented to the Development Group in November

Board Approved Publications Now On RISSB's Website

AS 7658 Level Crossings and AS 7664 Railway signal cable routes, pits, and foundations have been published and are now available on RISSB's website.

To download these documents, please log into your RISSB members account.

AS 7460 Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (Drones) – Operational Requirements

AS 7715 Train Detection Amendment No.1

AS 7531 Lighting and Visibility

Projects On Parade

Each week we'll showcase a publication in our 2020 / 2021 work plan.

Publication Type 
Standard

Publication Name 
Railway track materials - steel sleepers

Overview
RISSB took over management of the AS 1085 series of Standards (Railway Track Materials) from Standards Australia in 2017.  Part 17 of the series is now up for a formal aged review.

This Standard specifies performance requirements and gives design and testing methods for trough-shaped steel sleepers and their associated components for use in railway track. 

Standards Development Manager 
Sudha Niles
sniles@rissb.com.au

What Can The Rail Industry Learn from The Ruby Princess?

Find out on Tuesday, 13 October when Dr Keith Adam, Specialist Occupational and Environmental Physician & Chief Medical Officer, Sonic HealthPlus presents his views on what the Ruby Princess enquiry can teach us about risk assessment and management during our MasterClass webinar #28. 

Join us 12PM (AEDT) to find out:

* Why we have a National Standard for the Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers and the risk assessment philosophy that underpins it

* How not to present a risk in the rail system

* Recent changes, ongoing concerns and key issues such as managing fatigue.

Register to secure your place in this must-attend event by clicking on the 'Register Now' button below this story.