Investigation number
RO-2010-007
Occurrence date
Location
Junee
State
New South Wales
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation level
Systemic
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Occurrence category
Incident
Highest injury level
None

At about 0840 on Wednesday 4 August 2010 a safeworking incident
occurred within the Junee station yard limits when a locomotive was
moved from one road to another without authority while a Track
Occupancy Authority (TOA) was in force. No injuries or damage
resulted.

The investigation identified the following:

  • non-conformances to the rules in regard to communication by the
    train drivers and protection of the fixed worksite
  • deficiencies in the rules relating to lines of communication
    and protection of infrastructure booked out of service.

The investigation concluded that it was unlikely the safeworking
incident would have resulted in a breach of the worksite at Junee
station yard.

Train Details
Train number
Train 3391N
Train damage
Nil
Departure point
Junee, NSW
Rail occurrence type
Safe Working Irregularity/Breach
Destination
Junee, NSW
Rail Operation Type
Freight train
Recommendations
Approval Date
Background Text

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Australian Rail Track Corporation take action to address this safety issue.

Organisation
Australian Rail Track Corporation
Output Number
Published Date Time
Recommendation type
Status
Body

Significant safety IssueRule ANWT 304 does not stipulate that the Protection Officer must inform all persons or work groups who may be within the boundaries of a Track Occupancy Authority of its existence. This is regardless of whether or not these persons or work groups fit the definition of 'work parties' or 'workers'.

Mode
Title
Communication to persons within TOA boundaries
Date released
Title
Communication to persons within TOA boundaries
Approval Date
Background Text

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that RailCorp take action to address this safety issue.

Organisation
RailCorp
Output Number
Published Date Time
Recommendation type
Status
Body

Significant safety IssueRule NWT 304 does not stipulate that the Protection Officer must inform all persons or work groups who may be within the boundaries of a Track Occupancy Authority of its existence. This is regardless of whether or not these persons or work groups fit the definition of 'work parties' or 'workers'.

Mode
Title
Communication to persons within Track Occupancy Authority boundaries
Date released
Title
Communication to persons within Track Occupancy Authority boundaries
Approval Date
Background Text

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau advises that the Australian Rail Track Corporation should consider the implications of this safety issue and take action where considered appropriate

Organisation
Australian Rail Track Corporation
Output Number
Published Date Time
Recommendation type
Risk
Status
Body

Minor safety IssueThe NSW rules and procedures do not clearly address the requirements relating to protection of 'out of service' track infrastructure.

Mode
Title
Protection of ‘out of service’ infrastructure
Date released
Title
Protection of ‘out of service’ infrastructure
Approval Date
Background Text

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau advises that the Australian Rail Track Corporation should consider the implications of this safety issue and take action where considered appropriate.

Organisation
Australian Rail Track Corporation
Output Number
Published Date Time
Recommendation type
Risk
Status
Body

Minor safety IssueThe current TOA form (ANRF 002) does not allow the user to record details of protection measures enacted or whether all persons or work groups within the boundaries of the Track Occupancy Authority have been informed of its existence.

Mode
Title
TOA form ANRF 002
Date released
Title
TOA form ANRF 002