GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

Testing officer training workshop

The Guidelines Relating to Drug & Alcohol Programs specify that accredited railway operators must train their testing officers in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Guidelines. ITSRR has developed a model training course (accessible on ITSRR's website) to assist railway operators in meeting the training requirements outlined in Schedule 1. ITSRR will conduct a free one-day workshop (based on the model training course) for testing officers at its offices in Sydney on 13 June 2008. Railway operators should, if possible, nominate two to three of their testing officers to attend the workshop to facilitate “breakaway” discussion groups on their particular drug and alcohol program.

Revision of standards for urine testing

The Rail Safety (Drug and Alcohol Testing) Regulation 2003 (the Regulation) requires urine drug testing to be conducted in accordance with AS/NZS 4308:2001, Procedures for the collection, detection and quantitation of drugs of abuse in urine. AS/NZS 4308:2001 was recently revised and has been superseded by AS/NZS 4308:2008. The main change is that the new edition of the Standard specifies the requirements for optional on-site screening.

New carriages for V’Locity fleet

Testing will begin on the first of 22 new rail carriages for the V’Locity train fleet which, once rolled out, will add more than 1600 extra seats onto the V/Line network. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said testing would begin shortly, marking the first stage of the eventual roll out of the new carriages. Inspecting progress on the new carriages at Bombardier’s Dandenong factory, Ms Kosky said the first of 22 carriages was due to enter service in the middle of the year.

INDUSTRY

ARA fortnightly update

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) released its fortnightly update on 18 April 2008. Stories in this edition include:

• States and Territories should follow Victoria’s lead
• RISSB turnouts workshop
• Upcoming events

RSSB Chairman steps down

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has announced that Lord Tunnicliffe CBE has stepped down as its Chairman after more than five successful years in the post. Commenting on his departure Lord Tunnicliffe reflected on his time with RSSB. “RSSB has achieved a great deal since its inception and I have thoroughly enjoyed my five years service,” Lord Tunnicliffe said. “I have made many friends in RSSB and the rail industry who I shall be sad to leave behind.”

ACCIDENTS

Railway level crossing safety bulletin

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released a safety bulletin focusing on level crossing accidents in the past two years. Since April 2006 the ATSB has investigated 12 significant level crossing accidents of which nine have involved heavy road vehicles. Recent investigations conducted by the ATSB found in almost every case that the motorist failed to stop and give-way to the train at the level crossing and that there was little the train driver could do to prevent or minimise the collision.

Train derails between Bates and Barton

A Pacific National train derailed on 19 April between Bates and Barton on the Nullarbor Plain in South Australia. Thirteen of the rear 21 wagons derailed. An expert from Pacific National travelled to the site to inspect and give clearance prior to the commencement of an investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and recovery work by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). Around 800 metres of track has been damaged and is in need of repair or replacement.