ATSB investigations resulted in major improvements to transport safety, according to a new research report.
The report examines safety issues-and resulting actions-identified by the ATSB across the aviation, marine and rail sectors during 2009-10.
From the ATSB's investigations, 124 safety issues (factors that could adversely affect the safety of future operations) were identified. The transport industry undertook 141 separate safety actions to deal with these issues.
Overall, inadequate procedures or the lack of procedures posed the greatest safety risk across all three modes of transport.
ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said the report shows that industry is actively managing these risks.
'I'm pleased to see that the aviation, marine and rail industries are actively responding to identified safety issues by improving procedures, documentation and education,' Mr Dolan said.
'By directly dealing with safety concerns, transport operators are helping ensure that accidents and incidents are not repeated.'
Of the 37 more complex aviation safety investigations completed by the ATSB, poor or insufficient procedures were the most common type of safety risk identified. Most of these issues were associated with flight operations.
The ATSB's 10 marine safety investigations found that procedures were the most common safety issues, mostly from the deck operations and navigation/pilotage areas.
The 11 rail safety investigations conducted by the ATSB identified safety practices and procedures as the most common safety issues, with vehicle maintenance and network operations being the areas most associated with significant risks.
A full copy of Safety issues and safety actions identified through ATSB transport safety investigations: 2009-2010 financial year is available on the ATSB website.