Concern regarding [Operator's] emergency procedures
The reporter has raised a safety concern regarding Network Control’s lack of adherence to emergency procedures.
The reporter referenced an incident where a controller advised there was an unconfirmed report of trespasser on the track in the vicinity of the train’s location. The reporter advises that the train was travelling at track speed and the first car of the train was on the platform at the reported location by the time this message was passed from the signaller. When the train crew queried the location the trespasser was reported to be in, the signaller replied that they were 'near [Location] somewhere and to proceed with caution'.
The reporter is concerned that despite the signaller being aware that there was a person potentially standing within 4 feet of the running line, emergency procedures were not adhered to. The reporter states there were no 'all channels emergency broadcast' or emergency call to the train as it approached the platform, nor were signals protecting the area immediately set to stop.
The reporter states that as the train continued with caution, the trespasser was sighted. The train was brought to an emergency stop, stopping approximately two and a half car lengths past the trespasser, who was on the parallel track. The train crew notified network control and requested the next service on the parallel line be held until police arrived and the trespasser was off the track. The reporter advises that network control advised that operations had overridden the request to hold the incoming train. The trespasser continued to walk on the line, and as the incoming train approached, the headlights from both opposing trains resulted in neither crews having sight of the trespasser. Once the train lights were turned off, neither train crews could sight the trespasser and subsequently both trains remained stationary while crews exited the trains and searched for the trespasser. Police later advised that they had located the trespasser and it was safe for the trains to continue.
The reporter is concerned that emergency procedures were not followed when network control received the report of a trespasser in the 4 foot zone, and that operations proceeded to send the up train through the section despite knowing that there was an individual walking in the four foot of the track that the up train would have to pass. The reporter further advises that on several occasions they have had passenger medical emergencies on the train and have been advised by network control to continue to a convenient location determined by operations, rather than an immediate stop as per medical advice from paramedics or passenger doctor/nurses. The reporter believes that the lack of adherence to emergency procedures and medical emergencies is a result of pressure (either intended or unintended) from management to ensure network operations are minimally disrupted.
In the absence of specific details that would allow us to identify the particular incidents concerned I will respond in general terms of what our systems provide for in these type of situations.
Trespass Event
[Operator] experiences many thousands of reports of trespass events in a year. In many of these cases no trespasser is found when subsequent searches are undertaken. In the event of a trespass event Network Control has a range of options including warning or stopping trains. Requesting trains to proceed at caution is an appropriate response as it allows trains to stop short of a trespasser. Requesting assistance from emergency services, particularly police, also forms part of the responses available for Network Control. In the case of the trespass event concerned it would seem that Network Control both warned trains and requested assistance from [State] Police, these actions being in accordance with our established processes for trespass events.
Medical Events
With regard to the issues concerning medical events, again the absence of specific information makes it difficult to provide more than a general response. If a medical event is reported requiring assistance from emergency services, [Operator] will stop the train at the station emergency services advise is the most appropriate. It may indeed not be the next station as another station may allow a more prompt response by the emergency service concerned.
ONRSR has reviewed the reporter’s concerns and the rail transport operator’s response and will consider this report as regulatory intelligence in the planning and scoping of a future regulatory activity to be undertaken on the operator involved as part of the 2020/21 ONRSR National Work Program.