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Application of procedure
Date issue released
Issue number
RO-2024-001-SI-02
Issue Status
Closed – Adequately addressed
Transport Function
Rail: Passenger - metropolitan
Issue Owner
Metro Trains Melbourne
Mode of Transport
Rail
Safety Issue Description

Rules and procedures associated with managing trains between Bayswater and Upper Ferntree Gully were inconsistently applied and gaps in the recording protocols at Ringwood probably impacted the effectiveness of the administrative systems.

Issue Status Justification

Processes introduced by MTM should reduce the risk associated with this safety issue.

Proactive action
Action number
RO-2024-001-PSA-02
Organisation
Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM)
Action Status
Closed
Action description

Metro Trains Melbourne has:

  • issued a communication to all signallers to reinforce the usage of train describer bells, sending and acknowledgement
  • introduced a new belling procedure that included simplified the belling code sequences and trained all affected signallers on the new procedure
  • documented a new procedure to outline the frequency of competency assurance activities to be conducted by senior network controllers and rail incident commanders on train controllers at Metrol, as well as network signallers and station signallers
  • developed a centralised dashboard, due to be finalised on 31 July 2025, to track and monitor competency assurance requirements against individual status of the activities. This dashboard has been developed for station safeworking signallers and will be extended to all safeworking signallers within network operations
  • reviewed their safeworking procedures to identify improvements to safeworking training and safeworking competency processes. This review has identified improvements to management of competency, worked hours at safeworking specific locations, familiarisation end date and maintenance of upcoming auditing dates. The review has also identified improvement opportunities to the rostering and training forecasting lookahead. These updates are due to be completed by 31st of July 2025.