Safety issue

Safety issue description

The communications equipment available to the Supervisor (Excavators) was inadequate to effectively communicate with the Supervisor (Track Machines) and with the drivers of the track mounted excavators between Darrine and Jaurdi.

Issue number RO-2011-006-SI-03
Issue owner John Holland Rail
Transport function Network Operations
Date issue released 11/04/2011
Issue status justification

John Holland Rail (JHR) have conducted a communications audit on the entire Brookfield Rail freight/grain network and identified several communication gaps. JHR has worked with Brookfield Rail to boost the output of the existing radio repeater towers. The JHR project teams in those areas now have portable VHF transceivers and a booster trailer to extend communication capabilities 30 km either side of their work site where there are no radio repeater towers.

Safety action

Action type Proactive action
Action number RO-2011-006-NSA-011
Organisation John Holland Rail
Action date 11/04/2011
Action description

John Holland Rail (JHR) have conducted a communications audit on the entire Brookfield Rail freight/grain network and identified several communication gaps. JHR has worked with Brookfield Rail to boost the output of the existing radio repeater towers. The JHR project teams in those areas now have portable VHF transceivers and a booster trailer to extend communication capabilities 30 km either side of their work site where there are no radio repeater towers.

ATSB response

The ATSB is satisfied that the action taken by John Holland Rail adequately addresses this safety issue.

Action status Closed