A trauma guidebook written by train drivers for train drivers, a groundbreaking wellness advocate program, and an innovative GPS position marker tool, all took top honours at last night’s RISSB Rail Safety Awards.
The inaugural awards reward individuals and teams that have demonstrated excellence in safety and draw attention to the unsung heroes who are driving safety changes at a grassroots level.
All up, a total of eight winners across five categories were recognised with an award with a further four projects/people receiving a high commendation for their work in raising the safety bar.
The winners are:
Safety leadership/program initiative
Aurizon – Leading for Safety Program
ARTC – Inland Rail Safety and Wellbeing Program
Worker improvement outcome
Possession Improvement Team, Sydney Trains – GPS Possession Limits Markers
Wellbeing program incorporating mental health
Metro Trains Melbourne – Trauma Guidebook
Metro Trains Melbourne – Wellness Advocate Program
Safety initiative by a young rail employee
Deborah Loats, Metro Trains Melbourne – Fatigue Risk Management Program
Industry safety professional of the year
Toni McKiernan, Downer Rail
Bronwyn Trlin, PTA WA
RISSB CEO Deborah Spring said that the awards were the perfect platform to bring attention to what can be done to promote the safety message across the the rail network.
“Congratulations to all award winners for collectively driving continuous improvement in industry and maintaining the type of safety standards that the Australian and New Zealand rail industry are globally renowned for,” she said.
“Whether achieved as an individual or as part of a team, all winners should feel immensely proud of their work and their contributions to not only their organisation but to the rail industry as a whole.”
Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges who were looking for innovation, achievement, inclusivity, diversity and excellence displayed within a period of 12 months.
This was the inaugural Rail Safety Awards, with the event set to continue in 2023 and beyond as a permanent feature of the Rail Safety Conference, held this year from May 3-4.
In keeping with RISSB’s 2022 Rail Safety Conference theme Climate Safety and Safety Climate, the dinner was fittingly held at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium and was attended by close to 200 guests.
Thought provoking presentations were delivered and the roundtable panels discussed subjects such as Rail’s journey to decarbonisation, Ask the regulator and Protecting our people and our assets.
RISSB General Manager for Strategy and Stakeholder Relations, Graham Jackson, said the key themes challenged presenters and attendees to think about and delve into the challenges that are occurring and may occur in the future, not just the traditional ones.
Other messages included the need for more collaboration and sharing across stakeholders to ensure the rail industry works together for harmonisation and interoperability, to ensure relevance, cost-effectiveness, efficiencies and competitiveness are realised.