The risk assessments conducted by Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) for shunting and banking operations did not include consultation consisting of effective and meaningful engagement with all relevant stakeholders. This increased the potential that risks could be missed during the risk assessment process.
ATSB/OTSI is satisfied that SSR's updated consultation process requirements in relation to material changes impacting rail safety workers has adequately addressed the safety issue.
On 30 January 2024, SSR advised that it had raised a corrective action to review its risk assessment and management procedures, including determining suitable stakeholder engagement during these processes, for example, train crew in operational risk assessments.
On 27 June 2024, SSR conducted a review of its risk assessment and risk management procedures in relation to stakeholder engagement. While it found its procedures sufficiently covered stakeholder engagement, it reminded its managers of this requirement when conducting risk assessments. In addition, in relation to material changes, it added further detail within its consultation procedures in this regard, specifically:
Where SSR seeks to undertake new or substantially altered frontline operational practices in a material manner (or for those material new types that it has not done previously), and which the instigation and adoption of such practices are potentially innovative to the contemporary industry (i.e. not undertaken at any other rail freight operator), it will proactively seek out train crews and / or rollingstock maintainers (or any other frontline rail safety workers as situationally affected) for those that have to functionally implement specific real world practices arising out of changes in process / implementation of new procedures / tasks.
