The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a draft regulatory impact statement for public comment, which outlines four options for regulating the hours of work and rest for rail safety workers.

 

NTC Chief Executive, Nick Dimopoulos said variations currently exist in how states and territories regulate fatigue across the country but this is set to change.

 

“Complying with multiple fatigue management regulations can be costly and confusing for the rail industry, particularly interstate operators,” said Mr Dimopoulos.

 

“We’ve been working closely with the project office, governments, industry, unions and fatigue experts to look at ways to harmonise the requirements across the country, while boosting safety and productivity.”

 

Mr Dimopoulos said Australia is set to reap significant benefits if agreement can be reached on the requirements.

 

“Introduction of agreed national fatigue requirements will lead to a safer, more efficient and more competitive rail industry,” said Mr Dimopoulos.

 

The release of the regulatory impact statement follows Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure (SCOTI) approval of the laws to establish a National Rail Safety Regulator for Australia last November. The laws include requirements for managing the safety of rail operations, such as managing risks like fatigue. 

 

Director of the Project Office overseeing the establishment of the Regulator, Julie Bullas, said the release of the regulatory impact statement is an important step in the journey to a truly national system of rail safety regulation.

 

“We’re well on the way to the establishment of the national regulator and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with stakeholders in the lead up to 2013,” said Ms Bullas.

 

The NTC and National Rail Safety Regulator Project Office will conduct a series of consultation forums in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth during March to seek feedback on the draft regulatory impact statement.

 

Registrations for the consultation forums are at: http://emgevents.com/event/ntc/

The Rail Safety National Law Fatigue Risk Management - Hours of Work and Rest Draft Regulatory Impact Statement is available to download on the NTC website at www.ntc.gov.au


Submissions on the draft regulatory impact statement close on 21 March 2012.

 

The final regulatory impact statement will be submitted to SCOTI for approval in May 2012.

 

For more information about the National Rail Safety Regulator visit: www.nrsrproject.sa.gov.au