Article: Rail safety regulations out for consultation

[ozbob]

From Rail Express click here!

Rail safety regulations out for consultation

Rail safety regulations out for consultation
by Rail Express — last modified Jul 27, 2011 03:25 PM

With the release of the draft legislation and Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) which will underpin the new National Rail Safety Regulator when it commences in January 2013, the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has said it is pleased to see that rail is one step closer to reducing its seven Rail Safety Regulators to one.
 
Rail safety regulations out for consultation

But says it is important for the rail industry to involve itself in the consultation process.

The RIS has been released for public comment with consultation open until Friday  August 12, 2011 inclusive.

The consultation period allows industry to analyse the detail and provide a single voice to government reflecting the whole of Industry view.

ARA CEO Bryan Nye is encouraging rail industry rail operators, contractors and others affected by rail safety legislation to participate in this key milestone for the rail safety regulatory reform.

"The ARA will be putting forward an industry submission by the ARA executive board as advised by the industry working group.

"As always, the more support we receive, the more persuasive our case is and so we encourage Industry to also put forward submissions using the ARA submission as the basis.

"And as ever, it is vital there is a consistent industry voice if we are to persuade government to adopt key industry policy positions.

The industry position will be available on the ARA web site from the close of business on August 4 to allow members to consider that position in making their own submissions by the deadline of August 12.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) will also be conducting public briefings on the draft legislation and RIS between Friday  July 22 and Friday
August 5, 2011.

"It is important to note that this consultation period will not address outstanding policy material regarding fatigue, and drug and alcohol which are still very much works in progress for completion before the end of this year," continued Mr Nye.

"The National Rail Safety Regulator and Investigator Projects still have a great deal of work outstanding noting that the legislation is but one element.
Apart from the very significant areas of policy on fatigue, drugs and alcohol, a number of other policy areas will also need to be resolved before the end of year.
Then the national legislation will be settled before proceeding to the jurisdictions for legislative enactment."

The ARA says it will remain fully engaged in consultation with the National Rail Safety Regulator and Investigator Project offices as these projects take shape up to January 2013.
The focus will shift away from legislation to the many elements involved in establishing the new Regulator and Investigator offices, institutions, systems and policies and procedures.
Those interested can register to attend the NTC consultation sessions online at www.emgevents.com.au/event/ntc/ or by phoning 1800 404 400.

The ARA Industry Working Group includes QR National, Queensland Rail, RailCorp, Asciano/Pacific National, the Australian Rail Track Corporation, Laing O'Rourke, SCT Logistics and the Association of Tourist and Heritage Australia.

[ozbob]

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[Golliwog]

Most certainly a positive step.