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Comments sought on changes to mandatory and confidential reporting in rail
The National Rail Safety Regulator and a single national rail safety investigator (the ATSB) are due to commence operations by 1 January 2013.
The ATSB has released a consultation paper on proposed changes to the mandatory reporting of accidents and incidents and the confidential reporting of safety concerns.
For mandatory reporting, all Category A notifiable occurrences would be immediately reported to the ATSB by telephone, and in writing within 72 hours to the National Rail Safety Regulator (NRSR). Category B notifiable occurrences would also need to be reported in writing to the NRSR within 72 hours.
Under current NSW legislation, rail transport operators must report notifiable occurrences to ITSR within 72 hours. Category A occurrences must also be reported to the Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI).
New confidential reporting (or REPCON) regulations to be introduced nationally by 1 January 2013 will allow any person to voluntarily report safety concerns about rail to the ATSB. The reporter's identity, and the identities of others, are protected.
In NSW, OTSI manages the Confidential Safety Information Reporting Scheme (CSIRS) for transport employees. CSIRS is a voluntary, confidential and non-punitive scheme for transport employees in the rail industry and the public passenger transport sectors of the bus and ferry industries.
In August 2011, the Council of Australian Governments agreed to expand the ATSB's role to cover rail safety investigations nationally from 1 January 2013. In NSW, OTSI will perform rail safety investigations under a service level agreement with the ATSB.
For more information visit the ATSB website for more information or call the manager of notifications and confidential reporting, Steven Young, on 02 6274 6471.
The closing date for submissions is Friday 27 July 2012.
