Safety issue

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 number RO-2024-001-SI-02
Issue owner Metro Trains Melbourne
Transport function Rail: Passenger - metropolitan
Issue status Closed – Adequately addressed
Date issue released 20/06/2025
Issue status justification

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

Safety action

Action type Proactive action
Action number RO-2024-001-PSA-02
Organisation Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM)
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.
Action status Closed