TasRail did not have a reliable process to systematically identify, track and analyse reported faults on its remotely-controlled train or to identify their potential safety implications.
The ATSB is satisfied that TasRail’s processes for fault tracking and analysis, including the assignment of responsibility to a specific manager, will adequately address the safety issue across TasRail’s operations.
On 25 March 2021 TasRail advised it was implementing a new asset management system.
On 15 July 2022 TasRail detailed some of the capabilities of this system:
TasRail has addressed this issue through a requirement that all reports related to remote operations from drive to control be reported through its risk management software Risk Wizard. This software will provide a repository for all reports relating to remote operations from drivers to Network Control. This is because Risk Wizard sends a text message to a large number of people in the organisation, providing visibility over the incidents.
These incidents will be routinely discussed at morning meetings, and then transferred to the asset management system Maximo (which is a new system, which TasRail is in the process of implementing). This will ensure that system faults are systematically tracked to resolution. This approach provides for transparency and technical review and will be managed by a dedicated resource—the Engineering and Reliability Manager.
These systems will be utilised when TasRail re-instates remotely controlled equipment.
