There were no forms or checklists to provide practical guidance for completing the steps required to implement Absolute Signal Blocking (ASB) or to provide an auditable record of the process.
Sydney Trains' coded ASB trial has continued while Sydney Trains prepares for full implementation. In order to fully implement coded ASB rule changes and consultation are required. The development of the rules is underway and consultation will follow. At this time it is anticipated that coded ASB will be fully implemented by the end of March 2016. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recognises Sydney Trains' continued action on this issue by way of assessing and implementing a ‘coded Absolute Signal Blocking process’ and is satisfied that this process, if completed and implemented, will provide a consistent, repeatable and structured way for parties to detect and recover from errors and result in the lowering of risk associated with worksite protection by ASB.On the basis therefore, that Sydney Trains remain committed to implementing a new (Coded) ASB rule/procedure, the ATSB has re-assessed the status of this issue and has formally closed it as ‘Adequately Addressed’.
An ASB job aid has been developed through an iterative design process involving protection officer and signaller end-user representatives. The primary intent of this tool is to provide a guiding structure that fits well with the task and helps to address the error mechanisms identified through the Sydney Trains human error assessmentprocess.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is satisfied that the ‘coded Absolute Signal Blocking (ASB) process’, if completed and implemented, provides the necessary forms/checklists and improves the practical guidance of the steps required when granting ASB. The addition of the forms/checklists also provides an auditable record of the ASB process.
The ATSB is proceeding to monitor all the proposed safety actions and Safety Recommendation RO-2013-018-SR-085 and would appreciate periodical updates as to the progress with their implementation. We would appreciate an update on the progress in implementation of all the planned actions as at the end of August 2015 by 10 September 2015. Includes a response by Sydney Trains, followed by an explanation by A/GM Surface Safety as to intent of ATSB monitoring.
ST response to Safety REC RO-2013-018-SR-085 re. Coded ASB trial & auditing of worksites. ST advises: "...the Coded ASB trial for the protection of maintenance activities has been successfully concluded and it is intended to roll out those changes to the ASB process across our network. This will be achieved by developing and issuing amendments to the current ASB rule and procedure......It is anticipated that full implementation of the coded ASB should be complete in mid-2016". ST adds that they are developing an audit programme of random audits: "...that will assess the effectiveness and compliance to Sydney Trains' Network Rules and Procedures work on track rules and procedures with a focus on NWT 308 ASB Working. These audits will commence during April 2015". No end date is provided.
Sydney Trains stated: "Sydney Trains is happy to supply the ATSB with access to the amended Network Rules & Procedures regarding ASB when they are introduced." The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recognises Sydney Trains' continued action on these issues by way of assessing and implementing a Coded ASB worksite protection process. On the basis therefore, that Sydney Trains remain committed to implementing a new (Coded) ASB rule/procedure, and working on the assurances that this process will result in the lowering of risk associated with worksite protection by ASB, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has re-assessed the status of these issues and has formally closed them as ‘Adequately Addressed’.
Sydney Trains stated: "in relation to the implementation of coded ASB; the trial has continued while Sydney Trains prepares for full implementation. In order to fully implement coded ASB rule changes and consultation are required. The development of the rules is underway and consultation will follow. At this time it is anticipated that coded ASB will be fully implemented by the end of March 2016". The ATSB responded: "The ATSB recognises Sydney Trains' continued action on these issues by way of assessing and implementing a Coded ASB worksite protection process. In order for the ATSB to close out safety issues, it must assess the residual level of risk, based on the actions undertaken by the risk owners. On the basis therefore, that Sydney Trains remain committed to implementing a new (Coded) ASB rule/procedure, and working on the assurances that this process will result in the lowering of risk associated with worksite protection by ASB, we have re-assessed the status of these issues and will formally close them as ‘Adequately Addressed’. The ATSB would, however, appreciate being provided with appropriate access to the new rulesets once they are implemented."
