From 1 July, legislation will be in effect that will see the ATSB officially become the single national transport safety investigator for rail, as it takes on responsibility for investigating rail accidents and incidents in Queensland.
To support this expanded responsibility, the ATSB recently signed an agreement with the Queensland State Government to facilitate its investigation of accidents and incidents on the state’s metropolitan and regional passenger, and freight rail networks.
The ATSB’s investigation role will occur concurrently with the Office of National Rail Safety Regulator, which oversees rail safety regulation in every Australian state and territory.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood welcomed the new role for the national transport safety investigator.
“This is an important new stage in transport safety in Australia,” said Mr Hood. “It represents the culmination of a project that began on 19 August 2011, when the Council of Australian Governments committed to national rail safety reforms.
“We’re eager to work more closely with the rail industry in Queensland, and we’ll continue to work with rail operators to ensure they understand the new arrangements and how those arrangements are going to improve transport safety.
“The ATSB has extensive investigation experience in the rail, aviation and marine sectors—a move to a fully national investigation role for rail will further enhance transport safety in Australia.”
The rail industry makes a significant contribution to the Australian economy and greater consistency of national safety requirements will help increase productivity and efficiency across the sector.
More information on rail accident or incident notifications.