Rail newsletter — Issue 1, April 2005

ISSN no. 1176-9564

Welcome to all rail operators and everyone else associated with the rail industry in New Zealand. I trust you have had a good summer season and, like us, are looking forward to the challenges the rest of 2005 will bring. There's plenty of news that we'd like to update you on, so read on and enjoy.

In this issue:

• Land Transport New Zealand replaces Land Transport Safety Authority
• Railways Bill passed
• Movement of wagons by rubber-tyred tractors, forklifts and capstans
• Transfer of heritage rolling stock between different museums or operations
• Advice to operators of motor trolleys
• FRONZ conference
• Australian rail safety regulators visit
• Integrated safety management systems
• Rail Safety Consultative Forum

Land Transport New Zealand replaces LTSA

Many of you will be aware that the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) no longer exists as an entity. On 1 December 2004, following enabling legislation, the LTSA was merged with Transfund New Zealand to form a new crown entity called Land Transport New Zealand (Land Transport NZ). This is one of many outcomes being implemented as a result of the Government's transport sector review last year.

[Note: From 1 August 2008, Land Transport NZ and Transit merged with the formation of the NZ Transport Agency.]

While we have dropped the word 'safety' from our title, you may rest assured that we still have a strong interest in all land transport safety. The organisation now has a wider range of objectives, including the funding component formerly undertaken by Transfund.

The Rail Safety section (Glen Summers, Merv Harvey, Rob Gould, Graeme Hudson, Graham Smith and Gabrielle Robertson) will soon be known as 'Rail Regulation', and we will continue to be responsible for rail safety regulation. Helen Fielding has moved on to a new position as a Rail Safety Advisor with the Ministry of Transport. This will bolster the Ministry's understanding of the rail industry and issues that affect you.

As a result of the merger, Land Transport NZ now has a new Chief Executive. Wayne Donnelly, the former Chief Executive of Transfund, took up his new role in early January 2005. Wayne is also the Director of Land Transport. No doubt you will hear from him in the future. You may have had contact or correspondence with the departing Director, David Wright, and I am sure you join with us in wishing him all the best for his future endeavours.

Our contact details

Some of our contact details have also changed as a result of the organisational refocus. Phone numbers and addresses are unchanged, but we have new email addresses:
firstname.lastname@landtransport.govt.nz. [1 August 2008 - firstname.lastname@nzta.govt.nz]
We would appreciate it if you could update your contact lists to include this, and our new web address: www.landtransport.govt.nz. [1 August 2008 - www.nzta.govt.nz]

Our newsletter

You'll notice that our newsletter has a new look to match the new organisation. Because its name has changed to 'Land Transport New Zealand rail newsletter' we've started again at issue 1, but apart from that it remains the same.

Railways Bill passed

Finally we have some news to report on this front! The Railways Bill had been on hold since the Transport and Industrial Select Committee referred the Bill back to Parliament for its second reading on 9 August 2004. In a flurry of activity last week, the Bill had both its second and third readings in Parliament (on Wednesday 13 April), and passed all the hurdles required in that arena.

The next formal stage (expected very soon) is for the Governor-General to sign the legislation creating the Railways Act 2005. As described in the legislation, commencement is three months after the royal assent, so we are looking at implementing the Act from around the middle of this year. We'll keep you well informed of any developments and what they mean for you.

Land Transport NZ presentations on the Bill

Many of you will recall that during October 2004, Land Transport NZ gave a series of presentations around the country, to explain some of the key components of the proposed Bill and invite discussion. You'll recall seeing either Rob and Merv, or Glen and Helen, at various locations. We wish to thank the many heritage and industrial operators and auditors who took time out from their busy schedules to meet with us. The discussions we had and the feedback we received were very valuable to us.

Many issues were similar around the country and we are now working to address these prior to the implementation of the Act. One of the pleasing aspects of this tour was the level of safety focus amongst the smaller operators, showing they were prepared to address some of the specific requirements detailed in the Bill. We will take your comments on board, to make the transition to the new legislation as seamless as possible.

If you have any further questions about the Railways Bill, or were invited to attend a presentation but couldn't come, please email either Rob or Merv. By working together, the process will be easier for all. As we said at the presentations, 'Don't leave it until the last moment, or we won't have time to help everyone. Get in early and get any issues you have sorted'.

Land Transport NZ to talk with rail safety auditors

Unfortunately, a number of our rail safety auditors were unable to make it to the presentations, for various reasons. It's important that we talk with the rail safety auditors because the Railways Bill has significant implications for them. While the auditing task will not fundamentally change, the linkage between the safety assessor, operator and regulator will be modified, as will the reporting process and requirements. All rail safety auditors will have received a letter during February discussing this.

So we can gain a better understanding of how our auditors undertake the on-site audit, and have detailed discussions with them about the effect of the Railways Bill may have on them, Merv and Rob will be out and about observing audits and talking to auditors and operators about the new regime.

We encourage all auditors (and operators) to advise us, with as much advance notice as possible, of the exact dates their audits are scheduled for. We may not attend every audit, but aim to meet with every auditor in the field at least once in the coming months. Again, all this is aimed at making the rail industry safe and getting everyone involved—us as the regulator, operators, auditors, etc. We need to work together to build effective and efficient outcomes across the many varied landscapes in which the rail industry in this country operates.

Movement of wagons by rubber-tyred tractors, forklifts and capstans

The movement of wagons by rubber-tyred tractors, forklifts or capstans was identified as a safety issue during a recent audit. The auditor observed a potentially serious incident where a staff member was working beneath a wagon and other wagons were moved in error on the same track. Although no-one was hurt in this instance, it was a close call.

The circumstances were that the staff member had applied protection to the turnouts at the end of the rail siding where the wagons were parked. In this case it involved locking hi-viz orange socks over the appropriate turnout lever (or in some cases a red disk could be used). This protection was correctly placed and would have alerted an approaching locomotive crew. However, another authorised person approached the wagon rake on foot from the side of the track and, not observing the socks at the far end of the track, started to move some wagons using a capstan installed at the site. As noted above, it was fortunate that a serious injury did not happen to the person repairing the wagon. Please be aware that the same situation could easily occur during the use of rubber-tyred tractors or forklifts on site (ie, don't approach along the track).

Analysis of this incident highlights a potential weakness in railway operations where a worker believes he has provided appropriate protection to allow safe working under a wagon, but this protection may be ineffective. All operators and auditors are asked to take note of this incident and ensure suitable procedures are implemented if the use of capstans, rubber-tyred tractors or forklifts (etc) is permitted in your operation.

For auditors—if the above situation is applicable to the site you are auditing, please specifically check that this issue is correctly covered in safety system documentation and is being observed by the operational staff.

Transfer of heritage rolling stock between different museums or operations

We'd like to give everyone a gentle reminder about the transfer of rolling stock, as mentioned in our previous newsletter. Land Transport NZ is aware that heritage rolling stock that is capable of being operated is sometimes moved from site to site. You are reminded that if operational rolling stock is transferred to another heritage operation, you must advise us by seeking a suitable variation to your safety system. This ensures all heritage operators remain within their approved safety system.

Advice to operators of motor trolleys

After the derailment of a motor trolley in January 2004 where public passengers suffered injuries, we issued a letter advising of the incident and bringing the safety issues to operators' attention. We asked that operators consider the following issues related to use of trolleys—particularly in multiple—and update their safety system accordingly:

• Trolley coupling—secure coupling between trolleys is essential.
• Multiple trolley operation braking—braking must be adequate for the loading of the total consist.
• Passenger trolley speed—maximum speed for passenger operation of 15 km/h.
• Passenger safety briefing—a pre-departure safety briefing is an important part of the trolley journey.
• Secure hand-holds for all passengers—operators should consider providing hand-holds for all passengers.
• Staffing—there should be adequate trained staff to operate the trolleys and the brakes, and to monitor passengers.
• Provision of cell phones/radios and first-aid kits—there should be adequate means of communication to outside parties and a first aid kit on board for longer journeys.
• Safety system considerations—a risk assessment or reassessment and update of the safety system was requested.

Further recommendations

Recently one of the auditors provided us with further recommendations, which we are in agreement with and pass on for your attention, to be considered in your risk assessment and safety system update:

• Condition of the track—this will determine the risk to the passengers and also the level of enjoyment they get.
• Bridges—travel over bridges longer than 10 metres without a walkway on both sides should be prohibited.
• Coupling—no more than two trolleys should be coupled together—and then only using the approved coupling.
• Braking—each trolley should have its own brake system and should be under the control of a trained staff person.
• Passenger loading—should not exceed the design capacity of the trolley or its physical ability to operate with the load over the route concerned.
• Freewheeling—is prohibited.
• Children—the safe ratio of children to adults on each trolley, and adequate supervision levels, should be determined.
• Flat top material trolleys—the carriage of passengers (staff or public) on flat top material trolleys is prohibited.

Getting advice on risk assessment

For assistance on risk assessment, refer to section 5.5, 'Risk management', in our Rail safety licensing and audit guidelines (PDF, 974 KB) or National Rail System Standard 4, which can be found on the New Zealand Railways Corporation website.

Also refer to the article on integrated safety management systems later in this newsletter. If you have any queries, don't hesitate to contact us, because it is important for the safety of passengers that you properly consider the risks associated with your operation and ensure that you have the appropriate measures in place to control those risks.

FRONZ conference

For those heritage organisation representatives attending the FRONZ conference in Greymouth at Queens Birthday weekend, we will present a paper on Identifying and reducing operational risks at the conference, in conjunction with a rail safety auditor (refer to the conference programme).

Australian rail safety regulators visit

In an earlier issue of this newsletter we spoke about our increasing involvement with the Australian Rail Safety Regulators Panel (RSRP). This is continuing, with meetings being held quarterly. In February it was New Zealand 's turn to host the RSRP, and the decision was made to hold the meeting in Christchurch. In part this was to make travel convenient for the Australians, but equally importantly, it gave us an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our railway system to them. The meeting was held over two very full days. Again, much was learnt by everyone about industry changes and challenges around Australia and New Zealand, and we will incorporate this new knowledge in working with you over coming months.

A field trip was held after the formal part of the meeting. We travelled across the Southern Alps on the Tranz Alpine to Greymouth, and visited Shantytown for lunch and a ride on one of their steam trains. The return trip to Christchurch was made by road to allow stops, including at crossing loops, Otira township, and to view the Otira viaduct as a comparison with the rail experience of the viaduct earlier in the day.

We are indebted, and very grateful, to the operators who helped make the field trip a success and showed the RSRP the many facets of the industry in our country. I can report that the Australians went home very impressed with rail operations in New Zealand and the genuineness displayed towards them throughout their time in New Zealand .

Integrated safety management systems

Rob Gould recently attended a two week course in Melbourne on integrated safety management systems (ISMS). It was highly successful, and we now have a far greater understanding of ISMS. The course was hosted by the Singapore Aviation Academy (off-campus, for the first time) in conjunction with the Victorian Department of Infrastructure. The course covered all aspects of ISMS in detail, and we have a wealth of information available to share with you.

Very briefly, the topics covered in the two weeks included:

• regulatory requirements for ISMS
• safety culture
• leadership and commitment
• hazard identification, risk assessment, risk analysis
• human factors/error/capability/limitations—what it is and how to manage it, and the James Reason Model of systems safety
• accident/incident investigation and analysis, including case studies of various modal accidents and investigations
• auditing for safety compliance
• safety policy/reporting/indicators
• emergency response
• safety education and training
• documentation
• contractor management
• procurement.

Given it was a two week course, we could not do justice to all those topics here. What we will say, though, is that we encourage you to contact us to discuss any and all aspects of ISMS that you have queries on or an interest in. Land Transport NZ can provide you with information or advise of other sources that could help. Remember, this is a big issue and we will be feeding our knowledge to you through various processes, to help the development of your systems as we (eventually) transition to the new railways legislation (see article earlier in this newsletter).

Rail Safety Consultative Forum

Land Transport NZ has scheduled a Rail Safety Consultative Forum for late May. These are held approximately every six months, for us to update you on the big picture issues facing different areas of the industry. Invitations and the agenda will be sent out to industry group representatives shortly and we look forward to seeing those people at the forum. A report on the forum will appear in the next issue of this newsletter.

We encourage you to email the link to this newsletter around the members in your rail operation or organisation, or print it off and circulate it, so as many people as possible have the opportunity to be involved in helping make our already exciting industry even safer and more interesting.

Until next time, stay safe and enjoy life.

Page created: 19 April 2005