Safety issue

Safety issue description

Queensland Rail did not have an effective means to ensure that operations staff at the Rail Management Centre were aware that environmental management station sensors were unserviceable.
Issue number RO-2022-003-SI-03
Issue owner Queensland Rail
Transport function Rail: Other
Issue status Closed – Adequately addressed
Date issue released 05/08/2025
Issue status justification

The ATSB considers that this safety issue is adequately addressed by Queensland Rail’s introduction of procedures to notify when environmental monitoring/remote monitoring station equipment becomes unserviceable.

Safety action

Action type Proactive action
Action number RO-2022-003-PSA-04
Organisation Queensland Rail
Action description

Queensland Rail advised it has updated the safety and environment management system documents addressing alarm and automated messaging system response responsibilities through:

Network Operational Status (MD-22-233 version 1.1)

  • includes extreme weather thresholds for train operations
  • assigns Senior manager telecoms & operations systems engineering responsibility for alerting Asset management and Network control centre personnel of unserviceable Environmental monitoring station/Remote monitoring station systems

Remote Monitoring System Alarm Response (MD-11-1955 version 3.0)

  • clarifies actions required when Environmental monitoring station systems are unserviceable
  • establishes clear escalation and notification procedure.

Additionally, Queensland Rail advised it had commenced a comprehensive wet weather management second-line assurance activity aligned with the ATSB safety issues. This activity was scheduled for completion by 31 March 2026.
Action status Closed