Until recently rail safety management had been regulated by each of the State
and Federal rail systems, each carrying out their own internal investigation and
reporting of incidents. For private railways such as those operated by the sugar
industry, control of safety has only been by way of the Occupational Health and
Safety Act. However, the safe operation of a railway depends on much more than
workplace safety. Operational practices together with track and rolling stock design
and maintenance also affect safe train operations. By June 1996, a six part Australian
Standard for Rail Safety Management for track gauges exceeding 600 mm
should be published. The standard, which is being developed by working parties of
engineers representing all major Australian Government and private railway systems
except those in the Pilbarra region of Western Australia, is addressing all railway
safety management issues including track and civil works, rolling stock, signalling
and operations. This paper sets out the broad areas addressed by each part and the
contents of some of the more important sections of each part of the new Australian
Standard.
If the sugar industry is required to comply with this standard, significantly
improved procedures and documentation are required. The paper discusses several
specific areas of cane railway operations and maintenance which need to be
addressed. The general lack of written procedures and documentation is highlighted,
and the need to prepare written material is presented. The formation of expert
committees to direct the preparation of written procedures and· documentation is
suggested as a suitable way to prepare mills for the impact of these standards.