The West Coast Wilderness Railway did not have documented radio communication procedures and their staff were not trained in the use of radios. As a result, radio protocols were not formalised and communications were ad hoc and casual in nature.
The ATSB is satisfied that the action taken by West Coast Wilderness Railway in the revised training package and the included availability of radios while on and off tracking road-rail vehicles has addressed this safety issue.
The West Coast Wilderness Railway has advised that they are currently developing a communications procedure on the correct use of radios and the requirement to have them on hand while on and off railing road-rail vehicles. All road-rail vehicle training will now include information about the importance of having a portable radio on any person engaged in operations before exiting a vehicle for whatever reason. All vehicles will be equipped with a portable radio in addition to the vehicle mounted radio.
The ATSB is satisfied that the action taken by West Coast Wilderness Railway in the revised training package and the included availability of radios while on and off tracking road-rail vehicles has addressed this safety issue.
