Operating a safe rail service

Railway, tramway and cable car operators in New Zealand are required to implement rail safety management systems and practises to obtain and maintain a Rail Service Licence. Independent audits are part of the process and Telarc has assessors approved by the NZTA to undertake the regular, supplementary and safety audits as required

Rail Safety Management Systems

An effective system ensures operational consistency, which can be measured in improvements identified. Only those issues affecting railway operations are required, but operators may incorporate rail safety issues into a quality management system, e.g. ISO 9001

The system is required to define and document the responsibilities, procedures and realistic standards for each particular operation. A control mechanism to ensure all staff and contractors have access to current information they need to carry out their duties effectively and safely is required.

An organised formal system of staff training and mastery testing is essential in ensuring safe application of instructions and procedures. Record keeping in order that evidence of compliance can be provided is another important element.

Assessing Rail Safety Systems

To retain their licence, rail service operators are required to have their rail safety systems regularly assessed (normally annually) by independent, external assessors approved by NZTA. The task of the assessor is to judge that a sound and appropriate safety system is established; and to monitor on a continuing basis the standards within that system and compliance with the system. An assessment must be a constructive process which helps the operator improve the system and the inherent safety of the rail operation.

An assessment is not an inspection, but rather to ensure that required inspections have been undertaken and that the inspector is satisfied the specific safety standards are being met. The overall objective of the assessor is to verify that there is compliance with the operator’s documented safety case and safety system and that it covers all safety-related issues in an acceptable way.

Supplementary assessments may be necessary at times to ensure that remedial actions, generally recommended from a regular audit, have been completed satisfactorily. Where NZTA considers that a person could have been placed at risk of death or serious injury by an unsafe situation or act, a special safety audit may be required.

Full details of the rail safety systems requirements can be obtained from the NZTA website (hyperlink to website)

To arrange for a Rail Safety Assessment or to have a Telarc Rail Safety Assessment Specialist contact you please phone 0800 004 004 or email.