Safety issue

Safety issue description

ARTC did not specify the qualification and knowledge requirements of persons who were to perform the safety critical role of an accompanying qualified worker.

Issue number RO-2020-002-SI-06
Issue owner Australian Rail Track Corporation
Transport function Rail: Other
Issue status Closed – Adequately addressed
Date issue released 09/08/2023
Issue status justification

ARTC review and update of its safeworking roles competency framework to align with industry standards and company requirements should reduce risk associated with this safety issue.

Safety action

Action type Proactive action
Action number RO-2020-002-PSA-116
Organisation Australian Rail Track Corporation
Action description

ARTC advised that a review has been completed of ARTC’s safeworking matrix. This included a review of safeworking roles across the ARTC rule books with the matrix updated to align with company requirements and industry standards. ARTC also confirmed that it did not intend to use rail workers in an accompanying qualified worker role.
ATSB response

ATSB acknowledges that the ARTC safeworking matrix has been reviewed and provides a structure to specify competency requirements (utilising National units of competency) for a range of rail industry worker roles. It is noted that the role of AQW is not included in the matrix on the basis that ARTC is not intending to use this role in the future.
Action status Closed