The results of an investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) into a 2022 rail collision has seen the regulator recommend a review of rail safety worker competency assessments.
On January 6, 2022, freight train 5446 operated by Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) departed from Narrabri for Bullock Island. Three additional banking locomotives are attached to the rear of 5446 at Warris Creek due to a steep uphill gradient en route.
The banking locomotives then became separated and, although brakes were applied, they collided with the rear of 5446 which resulted in significant damage.
The Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) undertook the investigation on behalf of the ATSB.
“The cause of the train separation was highly likely due to the knuckle on the bottom operated coupler of the lead banking locomotive remaining unlocked after coupling,” OTSI Acting Chief Investigator Jim Modrouvanos says.
“A stretch test, which would have identified the unlocked state of the knuckle, was not performed.
“It was found the crew member who performed the shunt did not have a full understanding of automatic coupler operation. In addition, it could not be determined the banking locomotive crew had previously demonstrated sufficient levels of competence in a stretch test procedure, either with SSR or previous operators.”
The ATSB statement continued to say SSR and rail training bodies both used the incident to update safety action and training by:
- Providing train crew with reference materials related to coupler functionality
- Defining the process for a ‘stretch test’ after coupling and other shunting terms
- Contextualising emergency procedures for banking operations
- Further defining the need for adequate consultation during material change.
While not related to a safety issue, both Southern Cross Civil and Rail Training and Pacific National took the opportunity to review and update their training materials in shunting operations, in response to safety factors identified within the report.
A safety advisory notice has been issued to rail transport operators and registered training organisations acting on their behalf to review and validate their safety and competency assessments.
“The competence of rail safety workers is critical to safe railway operations,” Modrouvanos continues.
“Relevant industry members should validate their competency assessments to ensure their assessment tools, processes and judgements are reliably meeting the principles and requirements of competency-based training and assessment.”
The full investigation report is available here.
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