The Queensland Rail training program did not ensure personnel at the Rail Management Centre proactively monitored an adverse weather event or responded to reports and other information of a condition that could present a hazard to train movements. Subsequently, the network operations personnel relied on the clearance of a signal to determine the integrity of the track through a known flood‑prone area.
Queensland Rail has updated procedures for adverse weather events and included these changes in training to network operations personnel to ensure they were equipped with sufficient information and knowledge to facilitate the proactive identification, monitoring, and response to a condition affecting the network that may arise from an adverse weather event. The ATSB is satisfied that these actions will adequately address this safety issue.
Queensland Rail advised it has comprehensively reviewed and updated training programs to ensure network control officers possess the necessary knowledge and procedures for proactive adverse weather event monitoring. This includes:
