Date Issue Released
Issue number
Issue Owner
VicTrack
Safety issue title
ALCAM crossing assessment processes
Safety Issue Description

When the crossing was last surveyed under the ALCAM program, the measurement of the road angle resulted in an overestimation of the acute road-to-rail interface angle.  The implication of overestimating the acute interface angle is that sighting deficiencies may be underestimated or not identified.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Rail
Transport Function
Rail: Infrastructure
Issue number
Issue Owner
Cumco Gypsum Pty Ltd
Safety issue title
Road incline on approach to level crossing
Safety Issue Description

The road incline on the west-side approach to the crossing increased the time required for loaded trucks to transit the crossing.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Rail
Transport Function
Rail: Other
Issue number
Issue Owner
VicTrack
Safety issue title
Inconsistency between permitted and published line speed
Safety Issue Description

There existed an inconsistency between the track speed used for crossing assessment and permitted train speeds. The ALCAM process used a train speed equal to the track line speed, whereas V/Line systems for evaluating driver behaviour permitted an exceedence of line speed by up to 10 km/h for short distances. 

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Rail
Transport Function
Rail: Other
Issue number
Issue Owner
V/Line Pty Ltd
Safety issue title
Crossing protection inconsistent with available sighting
Safety Issue Description

The give-way protection installed at the crossing was inconsistent with the available sighting distances on both approaches to the crossing.  Sighting was affected by vegetation, embankments formed by a rail cutting and the curved road approaches. 

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Rail
Transport Function
Rail: Infrastructure
Issue number
Issue Owner
Cumco Gypsum Pty Ltd
Safety issue title
Sighting restrictions due to road-to-rail angle
Safety Issue Description

For eastbound road users approaching the B. McCann Road level crossing along the left-side of the road, the view to the track was restricted due to the acute road-to-rail interface.  This was particularly problematic for trucks with the viewing opportunity to the left limited to the cab’s passenger-side window. 

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Rail
Transport Function
Rail: Infrastructure
Issue number
Issue Owner
V/Line Pty Ltd
Safety issue title
Level crossing stakeholder consultation
Safety Issue Description

The level crossing safety coordination processes did not involve a key stakeholder, the gypsum mine owner, who had knowledge of the changing traffic profile.  The mine owner was aware of the increasing numbers of heavy vehicles using B. McCann Road since 2010 and the associated changing risk profile of the level crossing. 

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Rail
Transport Function
Rail: Infrastructure
Issue number
Issue Owner
Gannawarra Shire
Safety issue title
Shire inaction to address identified sighting issues
Safety Issue Description

Gannawarra Shire did not adequately address level crossing sighting issues at B. McCann Road acknowledged by the Shire in 2009. 

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Rail
Transport Function
Rail: Other
Issue number
Issue Owner
Department of Defence
Safety issue title
Long-range display effectiveness
Safety Issue Description

The Darwin Approach long-range display was a low resolution screen that presented air traffic control system information with reduced clarity and resulted in it having diminished effectiveness as a situation awareness tool.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Transport Function
Aviation: Other
Issue number
Issue Owner
Department of Defence
Safety issue title
Compromised separation recovery refresher training
Safety Issue Description

The Department of Defence had not provided Darwin-based controllers with regular practical refresher training in identifying and responding to compromised separation scenarios.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Transport Function
Aviation: Other
Issue number
Issue Owner
Department of Defence
Safety issue title
CADAS risk assessment and review process
Safety Issue Description

The Department of Defence’s risk assessment and review processes for the implementation of the Comsoft Aeronautical Data Access System and removal of the flight data position did not effectively identify or manage the risks associated with the resulting increased workload in the Darwin Approach environment, in particular with regard to the Planner position.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Transport Function
Aviation: Other
Issue number
Issue Owner
Department of Defence
Safety issue title
Controller scan of green radar returns
Safety Issue Description

Darwin Approach controllers were routinely exposed to green (limited data block) radar returns that were generally inconsequential in that Approach control environment, leading to a high level of expectancy that such tracks were not relevant for aircraft separation purposes. Refresher training did not emphasise the importance of scanning the green radar returns. 

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Transport Function
Aviation: Other
Issue number
Issue Owner
Department of Defence
Safety issue title
Risk controls for manual processing of transponder code changes
Safety Issue Description

The Australian Defence Air Traffic System (ADATS) did not automatically process all system messages generated by The Australian Advanced Air Traffic System. In cases where transponder code changes were not automatically processed, the risk controls in place were not able to effectively ensure that the changes were identified and manually processed.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Transport Function
Aviation: Other
Issue number
Issue Owner
Elbit Systems of America
Safety issue title
Routing of landing gear selector valve electrical harness
Safety Issue Description

The proximity of the landing gear selector valve electrical wiring loom to the external hydraulic power connectors within the left engine nacelle on Fairchild SA227-AT Metro aircraft resulted in the ‘down selection’ wire being damaged during routine maintenance activities.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Transport Function
Aviation: Other
Issue number
Issue Owner
Universal Shipping
Safety issue title
Roles and Responsibilities
Safety Issue Description

Bosphorus’ safety management system provided no guidance in relation to the allocation of function based roles and responsibilities to members of the bridge team during pilotage.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Marine
Transport Function
Shore operations
Issue number
Issue Owner
Universal Shipping
Safety issue title
High risk areas of pilotage
Safety Issue Description

Bosphorus’ safety management system did not detail any guidance or instructions relating to watch handover or changing the helmsman during high risk areas of a pilotage.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Marine
Transport Function
Shore operations
Issue number
Issue Owner
Brisbane Marine Pilots
Safety issue title
High risk areas of pilotage
Safety Issue Description

Brisbane Marine Pilots’ ‘Port of Brisbane Passage Plan’ did not detail any guidance or instructions relating to watch handover or changing the helmsman during high risk areas of a pilotage.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Marine
Transport Function
Shore operations
Issue number
Issue Owner
Sydney Trains
Safety issue title
Non-compliance with repeat back provisions
Safety Issue Description

There were non-compliances to the repeat back provision because it was viewed as onerous under certain Local Possession Authorities (LPAs). An opportunity exists to review rule non-conformance with the implementation of LPAs.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Rail
Transport Function
Rail: Passenger - metropolitan
Issue number
Issue Owner
Sydney Trains
Safety issue title
Production, validation, customer review and distribution of STNs
Safety Issue Description

Sydney Trains validation processes were not effective in detecting errors in Special Train Notice (STN) 1004 prior to the Local Possession Authority (LPA) implementation.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Rail
Transport Function
Rail: Passenger - metropolitan
Issue number
Issue Owner
Transfield Services Australia
Safety issue title
Drug & alcohol management
Safety Issue Description

Transfield did not have adequate systems in place to ensure workers were not adversely affected by drugs or alcohol while conducting safety related work in a remote work environment.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Rail
Transport Function
Rail: Other
Issue number
Issue Owner
Transfield Services Australia
Safety issue title
Road-rail vehicle maintenance regime
Safety Issue Description

The maintenance regime for Hino TS63 was inadequate and did not account for the accelerated wear and tear on the vehicle when used as a road-rail vehicle.

Date issue released
Mode of Transport
Rail
Transport Function
Rail: Other