Safeworking breach involving train 3SP7, near Ooldea, South Australia, on 1 June 2023

The ATSB is investigating a safe working breach at Ooldea, South Australia, on 1 June 2023, involving Aurizon train 4PM1 and Pacific National train 3SP7.

At about 0835 central standard time, train 4PM1 enroute from Perth to Melbourne called the western points at Ooldea to reverse, in order to enter the crossing loop, in accordance with their authority from Fisher to Ooldea. At about the same time, train 3SP7 made a controlled stop on approach to Ooldea, due to the eastern points enhancer colour light displaying yellow, despite expecting a green light and having authority through that location to Fisher. This meant that there was an overlapping authority for the 84 km section of track from Ooldea to Fisher.

To date, the ATSB investigation has included:

• interviewing the network control officer
• examining available recorded data
• examination of safe working rules and procedures
• examination of training documents and records
• examination of incident notification data, held by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, from 2012 involving issuing of overlapping train authorities in the Australian Rail Track Corporation train order working territory between Tarcoola (South Australia) and Kalgoorlie (Western Australia).
• Australian Rail Track Corporation risk identification and register risk controls associated with cross-checking and issuing of train authorities in Australian Rail Track Corporation train order working territories.
• training curriculum and assessment for network control officers issuing train authorities.

The final report has been drafted and is undergoing internal review to ensure the report adequately and accurately reflects the evidence collected, analysis, and agreed findings. 

The final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.