TrackSAFE is taking a deep look at mental health in the rail industry.
Disclaimer: Some people may find the content of this report confronting or distressing. The information included here places an emphasis on data, and as such, can appear to depersonalise the pain and loss behind the statistics. If this material raises concerns for you contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
TrackSAFE is a registered harm prevention charity, comprising of a small team, with a big mission. Through its extensive network of partnerships and by collaborating with other organisations and subject matter experts, TrackSAFE is making its mark by working together to save lives and improve the wellbeing of the rail workforce.
Rail Express recently spoke with TrackSAFE’s executive director, Heather Neil about the organisation’s journey, approach to harm prevention and key projects.
Josh: What brought you to TrackSAFE in 2020?
Heather: Prior to taking this role, I’d worked in the not-for-profit sector for decades, in leadership, advocacy and behaviour change roles – across several different social issues. These organisations had large profiles, were mostly funded by donations from members of the public, with their purpose and mission very much part of public discourse.
What I found attractive about TrackSAFE was the commitment of the rail industry to prevention, and that so much of its work happens quietly behind the scenes. TrackSAFE isn’t widely known in the public domain, but the rail industry’s
collective support of our role is humbling.
I recall my first site visit in Melbourne. As a commuter I had never thought about the people, equipment and technology required to make trains and trams move, and I had no appreciation of the risks, challenges and impact that trespassers can have on rail workers and the operation of the network. And I saw first-hand the kindness of many rail workers in their approach with passengers and other members of the public.
Josh: What are some of the key issues TrackSAFE is focused on?
Heather: Trespass is a key issue – and can take many forms. There is trespass where self-harm is involved, or a person that frequently presents to the rail network creating a safety risk, resulting in network disruptions. It may be opportunistic such as pedestrians taking a shortcut across the tracks because it’s quicker than walking to a bridge, underpass or designated crossing. Then there’s vandalism and other risky behaviours such as train surfing. Add into this mix pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle drivers not following the rules at railway crossings.
It has been insightful to learn more about how some of these groups perceive risk, and this helps to inform our rail safety community and school education activities.
Tragically, most deaths that occur on the Australian rail network are from people taking their own life. Every life lost and injury on the rail network is a tragedy and the impacts on family, friends, communities, rail and recovery staff and witnesses can be profound.
These incidents, together with thousands of near hits each year, can cause trauma and work-related stress and illness to rail and recovery staff.
There’s an average of 101 fatalities per year (73 suicides and suspected suicides and 28 other fatalities), or almost two each week. Most occur in Victoria (44 per cent) followed by New South Wales (30 per cent), Queensland (12 per cent), Western Australia (9 per cent) and South Australia (5 per cent) and seven in the Northern Territory and Tasmania and two in the Australian Capital Territory.
Josh: What’s TrackSAFE’s approach to these issues?
Heather: Since its inception in 2012, TrackSAFE has been active in supporting research and staying up to date with national and international learnings so we have a strong evidence base to our advocacy.
We know there’s not just one solution. Instead, we need multiple actions delivered holistically. Evidence shows that restricting access to the rail corridor through fencing, other barriers, and the removal of railway crossings can prevent suicides by more than 90 per cent and is the most effective measure to prevent suicide in public places. Research also shows no evidence of these suicides are displaced to another public location.
Melbourne is the most open rail network in Australia, with the greatest number of fatalities and injuries from trespass – as such it’s an area of high priority for our advocacy work. We recently commissioned an economic impact study on the Victorian passenger network that shows that fencing the rest of the Melbourne heavy rail network and higher risk locations on the regional network would cost less than just one year of network disruptions caused by trespass and near hit incidents.
To promote rail safety amongst the community, we deliver rail safety campaigns, including taking the lead on Rail Safety Week each August. We also have education resources for early childhood education, primary schools and next year resources for rail safety for teenagers.
Josh: are there things that organisations and individuals working in rail can do to help?
Heather: We’re very fortunate to have 54 corporate supporters from across the rail supply chain who share our vision. Our arms are open for any other organisations to join.
In addition to fencing and barriers, we know that encouraging people to seek help is another key suicide prevention measure. Our decade-long partnership with Lifeline Australia includes our joint public awareness campaigns that encourage individuals to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, whether they are in crisis or just needing someone to talk to. The Pause.Call.Be Heard signage is used widely in the rail corridor as well as being delivered digitally in bursts to those in and near the corridor. Ongoing promotion of this and other help-seeking services is needed.
We also know intervention by a third party can also reduce suicide. TrackSAFE’s free 30-minute Suicide Awareness Training increases knowledge, skills and confidence to safely intervene if someone is at risk. The training is designed specifically for rail workers in Australia and New Zealand. By completing this training, you could save a life. Materials to help you promote the training in your workplace are available.
Josh: The impact of these incidents must be widespread?
Heather: The impact of fatalities, injuries and near hits is far reaching – there’s a ripple effect.
In addition to what rail organisations offer their workplace, TrackSAFE also offers useful resources and activities.
Rail as an industry has been early adopters in creating mentally healthy workplaces but there is still more to do. We were the first industry to have our own dedicated R U OK?, and this has become a movement of genuine connection. As an industry we’re fortunate to have a growing list of champions making sure ‘R U OK?’ is a question we’re prepared to ask any day. Next year’s Rail R U OK? is 3rd April 2025.
It is a tragic reality that, in the course of their work, many train drivers and other rail workers will be impacted by incidents that may involve death, injury, a near hit or anti-social behaviour.
In 2023 TrackSAFE published our updated Rail Industry Trauma Management Framework. The purpose of this framework is to provide information and guidance to the rail industry on the best practice approach to trauma management for all rail employees. It is intended to provide a uniform approach that can help employers prepare for and minimise the risk of adverse psycho-social outcomes following a potentially traumatic event.
TrackSAFE also has developed training that enables trainers from within rail organisations to deliver updated courses that align with the framework.
Trainers who have completed the workshop and related activities will be approved to deliver three courses: Psychological First Aid for first responders, Psychological First Aid for managers and Coping with trauma.
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