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ARTC monitoring and oversight of maintenance activities
Date issue released
Issue number
RO-2022-006-SI-04
Issue Status
Open – Safety action pending
Transport Function
Rail: Infrastructure
Issue Owner
Australian Rail Track Corporation
Mode of Transport
Rail
Issue finalisation date
Safety Issue Description

While ARTC had a process for monitoring its maintainers when carrying out inspections and rectifications, it was unable to provide evidence of these activities being conducted.

Issue Status Justification

To be assessed pending Asset Integrity Second Line of Defence audit procedure roll out and performance.

Proactive action
Action number
RO-2022-006-PSA-03
Organisation
Australian Rail Track Corporation
Action date
Action Status
Monitor
Action description

ARTC is taking the following safety action in response to operations asset services assurance issues identified in the draft report, as well as an internal assurance audit:

  • Set up “Asset Integrity Risk” to identify the Line 1 critical controls and their owners to mitigate each key risk. This will include an initial assessment of control health (i.e. control effectiveness) and any priority actions required to mitigate the key risks to a tolerable level (i.e. within risk appetite). This will require consultation with Risk Managers GM Asset Services, GM Maintenance Coal, and GM Maintenance National Network.
  • Review and update the Operations Asset Services Assurance Second Line of Defence Guideline. This will be finalised as the Asset Integrity Second Line of Defence Audit Procedure, and will address accountabilities, authority and linkage to key risks.
  • The Assurance Framework Procedure (AMT-PR-017) will be retired, and a dedicated Asset Maintenance Assurance framework document will be created.
ATSB Response

Once implemented, these actions address both findings, with the first and second line of defence assurance functions working to ensuring front line staff are entering data into the asset management system as per procedures, and information on track condition is being adequately reported to support the decision support platform.
Meanwhile, clear audit procedures will allow audits to inform the business where improvements are necessary, as they are intended.

The ATSB has scheduled follow-up to review the Asset Integrity Second Line of Defence audit procedure roll-out for September 2026.