Safety information for passengers of XPT
Safety Issue Description

NSW Trains’ methods of providing safety information to passengers (including verbal safety briefings, onboard guides and signage) did not provide reasonable opportunity for all passengers to have knowledge of what to do in an emergency.

Issue number
RO-2020-002-SI-12
Issue Status
Open – Safety action pending
Transport Function
Rail: Passenger - regional
Issue Owner
NSW Trains
Mode of Transport
Rail
Issue Status Justification

To be advised

Proactive action
Action number
RO-2020-002-PSA-122
Organisation
NSW Trains
Action Status
Monitor
Action description

NSW Trains advised that (in addition to existing methods of providing safety information) it had installed onboard safety signage (decals) on all its regional fleet. The signage provides guidance to passengers on actions for them to take in the case of an emergency. NSW Trains also advised that it was undertaking a review of its guidance material for on-board staff and trialling the introduction of a crew safety pre-departure briefing.

ATSB Response

The ATSB acknowledges that NSW Trains has introduced additional onboard safety signage, however the ATSB considers that further improvements can be made to the way safety information is conveyed to passengers including in the format of onboard safety guides and the procedures for verbal briefings. Accordingly, the ATSB considers that it is appropriate to issue the following recommendation.

Safety information for passengers of XPT
Date issue released
Safety Issue Description

NSW Trains’ methods of providing safety information to passengers (including verbal safety briefings, onboard guides and signage) did not provide reasonable opportunity for all passengers to have knowledge of what to do in an emergency.

Issue number
RO-2020-002-SI-12
Issue Status
Open – Safety action pending
Transport Function
Rail: Passenger - regional
Issue Owner
NSW Trains
Mode of Transport
Rail
Issue Status Justification

To be advised

Proactive action
Action number
RO-2020-002-PSA-122
Organisation
NSW Trains
Action Status
Monitor
Action description

NSW Trains advised that (in addition to existing methods of providing safety information) it had installed onboard safety signage (decals) on all its regional fleet. The signage provides guidance to passengers on actions for them to take in the case of an emergency. NSW Trains also advised that it was undertaking a review of its guidance material for on-board staff and trialling the introduction of a crew safety pre-departure briefing.

ATSB Response

The ATSB acknowledges that NSW Trains has introduced additional onboard safety signage, however the ATSB considers that further improvements can be made to the way safety information is conveyed to passengers including in the format of onboard safety guides and the procedures for verbal briefings. Accordingly, the ATSB considers that it is appropriate to issue the following recommendation.

Recommendation
Action number
RO-2020-002-SR-22
Organisation
NSW Trains
Action Status
Released
Action description

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that NSW Trains undertake further work to improve the methods used to provide safety information to ensure that passengers are given a reasonable opportunity to gain knowledge of what they may be required to do in the event of an emergency.

Organisation Response
Date Received
Organisation
NSW Trains
Response Text

NSW Trains advised that they are undertaking the following actions: 

Development of effective onboard passenger safety information assets:

  • Current state audit of existing onboard safety information assets completed [underway]
  • Industry assets reviewed, and recommendations provided for prototypes [underway]
  • Prototype assets to be developed
  • Prototypes to be tested with key stakeholder groups (e.g. Transport’s multicultural network, customer council)
  • Final asset design specification to be approved
  • Revised passenger safety information assets to be rolled out to specification 

Development of formalised active engagements with passengers regarding what to do in case of an emergency:

  • Current state review of passenger safety engagements, and documented procedures completed [underway]
  • Industry practice reviewed, and recommendations provided for procedural updates, including employee tools such as scripting, quick reference cards [underway]
  • Employee tools to be developed
  • Employee tools to be tested in a range of scenarios and with key stakeholder groups
  • Final documentation for publication to be drafted
  • Initial training pathways to be provided to employees, and establish regular competency assurance checks 

Development of monitoring and evaluation measures to track efficacy:

  • Feedback mechanism to be established to test efficacy of safety information
  • Visual inspections of safety information assets (currency, availability, accuracy, location) [underway]
ATSB Response

The ATSB acknowledges NSW Trains' action plan which details the introduction of updated and additional means of providing safety information to passengers, before travel and in the event of an emergency and assurance processes to ensure standards are maintained. The ATSB will continue to monitor, with the view that, once implemented the recommendation will be addressed.

ATSB Response date