Risk and Safety Management: Analysis of Richmond Train Crash Incident

This paper discusses safety and risk management principles in the context of the Richmond Train Crash incident of Sydney. It identifies the safety breach that led to the incident and the measures taken to prevent such accidents in the future.

Running head: RISK AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT
Risk and Safety Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Discussion........................................................................................................................................2
Overview of the Accident............................................................................................................2
Contribution of Safety breaches in train Incident of Richmond..................................................3
Effects of the Richmond train Incident........................................................................................3
Changes due to the Train Crash of Richmond.............................................................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................6
References........................................................................................................................................7

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Introduction
This paper intends to discuss safety and risk management principle in order to analyze a
safety incident. The aim of the paper is to discuss and identify the safety breach that led to the
safety breach incident. The principles of safety management includes the components such as
policy, risk management, promotion and assurance. In order to develop the practical application
of safety management principle, the paper would discuss the Richmond Train Crash incident of
Sydney. The incident took place on 22nd January, 2018 at the north east section of the Sydney
("Passengers injured in 'horrifying' train crash in Sydney's north-west", 2018). This paper would
provide the implications of incident of this train crash in context to risk and safety management.
It would discuss the contributions of the safety breaches on this incident. It would also discuss
the measures taken such as specific change in policies or regulation as a result of this incident. It
can be concluded that this paper would be efficient in discussing all the required aspects of this
incident ("Investigation: RO-2018-004 - Collision of Waratah passenger train A42 with buffer
stop at Richmond Station, NSW, on 22 January 2018", 2018).
Discussion
Overview of the Accident
This section of paper would discuss in details about the incident of train crash that took
place in the outskirts of Sydney. The incident is reportedly took place in morning of 22nd
January. The hydraulic buffer of the platform was crushed and resulted in the partial de railing of
the train. The incident caused serious injuries to the 16 passengers and the driver and train guard
also received injuries ("Richmond train crash: passengers injured at Sydney station", 2018). The
investigations revealed that the speed of train at the time of incident was 35 km/h. the medical

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fitness of the driver was found to be normal and the driver was found to be experienced in his
field ("Cause of Richmond train crash undetermined", 2018). The investigation for this incident
was conducted by Australian Transport safety Bureau. The recent reports from the department of
Sydney railways states that all the injured people of this incident have recovered.
Contribution of Safety breaches in train Incident of Richmond
The possible safety breaches for the incident of train crash in Sydney can be many and in
depth investigation is being done on the issue. The most common cause of railway accidents are
found to be as the collision between the train and the vehicle. In spite of development of the
facilities of the railways over the year, the rate of the train accidents occurring has increased
significantly. The train accidents are mostly caused by the derailment and there are various
factors contributing to the derailment (Yang et al., 2016). The consequences of the rail accidents
depends on the type of the track such as siding, yard, main and trading, capacity and length of
the train and the traffic in the area of the track (Nayak & Tripathy, 2018, July). The speed of the
train at the time of the derailment can be the factor that can determine the intensity of the
accident.
The investigation revealed the speed of the train at the time of accident was 35 km/h. The
accident could have been more serious if the buffer stop would have not worked effectively. The
train did not derailed due to presence of the buffer stop. As a result of this accident the Sydney
railway station implemented a speed limit of about 20 km/h for all trains approaching the station.
Effects of the Richmond train Incident
The effect of this train crash incident was devastating and a total of about 16 people were
injured badly. The injuries included spinal injury and the broken collarbone. The injured people

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were taken to Westmead Hospital and Nepean hospital for the treatment. It was reported that 15
ambulance responded to the accident for the rescue of the victims (Rachel Clun, 2018). The
driver was also injured and was admitted to the nearest hospital. The front portion of the train
was damaged badly and due to speed of the train while crashing to the buffer the passengers in
the front areas were severely injured. This train crash incident resulted in delay of the negotiation
of the pay dispute between the government and the rail union. Andrew Constance, the transport
minister assured proper investigation of the matter and safety of the Sydney train passenger. This
horrible crash resulted in the delay of other trains passing through the Richmond station. It
caused inconvenience in the rail transport of the Sydney for a day. The train employees were also
found to be injured and they were provided treatment on the scene. The train which was
reporting the western line had to be stopped due to the crash. The bus facility replaced the trains
between the Clarendon and Richmond until the situation was tackled.
Changes due to the Train Crash of Richmond
The government and the department of railway are likely to take precautionary measures
after major accident like this. The railways have ensured a new authority for reporting any
serious incident and accident. The authorities include crews operating the train, track operators
and head of the railway station. The incidents should be reported as soon as possible in order to
provide immediate help. The railways of Sydney have provided a toll free number in order to
contact ATSB in the case of emergency (2018). The new rules have been made for the
immediately reportable matters which are related to rail vehicle matters. The rail accidents in
Australia have increased over the years and the department of railway is concerned about taking
measures to avoid the accidents and take precautionary measures. The new jurisdiction has been
formed for investigating the rail accidents.

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The railways have decided the speed limit for the trains as 20 km/h for specific period of
time as the train that crashed the Richmond station was at a speed of 35 km/h. The jurisdiction
formed by ATSB would ensure to properly investigate and provide the report based on the
investigation. The ATSB is Australian Transport Safety Bureau and it is responsible for taking
actions on accidents. The emergency response team are asked to be proactive for any such
situation of train and rail accidents. The rescue team are assigned for specific stations and they
are strictly asked to response to the accident site as soon as possible. The management of the
accident coordination and security have been increased over the time in Australia (Leitner,
2017). The railways and relevant authorities have also taken steps on the medical treatment to be
provided to the victims of the rail accidents. In the case of Richmond train accident, 16 peoples
were injured and they were provided medical treatment on the priority basis. The victims were
provided treatment in the nearest hospital were all the medical facilities were present. The
authorities are likely to avail nearest medical facilities for the specific stations ("Five Seriously
Injured In Richmond Train Incident", 2018).
The railways are concerned about providing proper training to the drivers and the
staff who are responsible for the working in track and station. The training would include signal
indication, checking the rails and tracks properly, weather condition and their effect on the
running of train. The railways would ensure a proper check for the air brake, wheel, bearing,
track and the indications for crossing level. An efficient team would be trained for providing the
report on the passing of two trains on the same track (Salmon et al., 2016). This would be helpful
in tacking the situation of where two trains crashes. This measures and policies is expected to
have influence on decreasing the rate of train accidents and crashes in Sydney and other parts of
Australia.

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Conclusion
It can be concluded that this paper is efficient in providing the project of the risk and
safety management. The paper considers the recent incident of Richmond train crash of Sydney
in order to provide a report. The train crash took place at 22nd January 2018 at Richmond station
of Sydney. The report examines this incident in context of the train accidents of Australia and
overseas. The rate of increase in train accidents raises serious questions on the safety of the
passengers. The incident took place due to crash of the train to the buffer of the station. The
paper provides the information of the accident and the people affected by the crash. It also
provides the effects of the train accident on the transport of the Sydney. The paper discusses the
changes considered by the railways and relevant authorities due to this train crash. It discusses
the factors which are considered for taking measures of preventing such accidents in the future.
Therefore it can be concluded that this paper is appropriate in addressing all the requirements
relevant to the incident of the train accident.

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References
(2018).Retrieved from
https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/3541559/rail_accident_guidelines_ed3.pdf
Cause of Richmond train crash undetermined. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/cause-of-richmond-train-crash-undetermined
Five Seriously Injured In Richmond Train Incident. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.triplem.com.au/news/sydney/five-seriously-injured-in-richmond-train-
incident
Investigation: RO-2018-004 - Collision of Waratah passenger train A42 with buffer stop at
Richmond Station, NSW, on 22 January 2018. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2018/rair/ro-2018-004/
Leitner, B. (2017). A general model for railway systems risk assessment with the use of railway
accident scenarios analysis. Procedia engineering, 187, 150-159.
Nayak, S., & Tripathy, S. (2018, July). A Critical Evaluation of Impact of Human Error: In Rail
System Failure with a View to Enhance Safety. In IOP Conference Series: Materials
Science and Engineering (Vol. 390, No. 1, p. 012024). IOP Publishing.
Passengers injured in 'horrifying' train crash in Sydney's north-west. (2018). Retrieved from
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-22/sydney-train-crashes-at-richmond-station-
injuring-passengers/9348398

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Rachel Clun, M. (2018). 'Almighty bang': Passengers injured after train crashes into barricade at
Richmond station. Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/people-injured-
after-train-crash-at-richmond-station-20180122-h0lzg6.html
Richmond train crash: passengers injured at Sydney station. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jan/22/sydney-train-accident-
passengers-trapped-and-injured-at-richmond-station
Salmon, P. M., Lenné, M. G., Read, G. J., Mulvihill, C. M., Cornelissen, M., Walker, G. H., ... &
Stanton, N. A. (2016). More than meets the eye: using cognitive work analysis to identify
design requirements for future rail level crossing systems. Applied ergonomics, 53, 312-
322.
Yang, C., Li, D., Zhu, T., & Xiao, S. (2016). Special dynamic behavior of an aluminum alloy
and effects on energy absorption in train collisions. Advances in Mechanical
Engineering, 8(5), 168.