Safety and Risk Management in the Railway Industry: A Case Study

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of safety and risk management within the railway industry, using the 2018 Richmond train accident in Sydney as a central case study. It begins with an executive summary highlighting the increasing rates of railway accidents and the need for proactive safety management. The report then delves into the incident at Richmond station, detailing the scenario, including the train's failure to brake and the resulting injuries. It identifies the safety breaches that led to the accident, encompassing both human and mechanical errors, such as excessive speed and brake failure. The report further explores the policy changes implemented in response to the crash, including the reduction of speed limits and temporary shutdown of operations. Finally, it assesses the implementation of these policies and their effectiveness in preventing similar incidents, concluding with a call for proactive risk management strategies to mitigate future railway accidents.

Running head: SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE RAILWAY INDUSTRY 1
Safety and Risk Management in the Railway Industry
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Author’s Note

SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE RAILWAY INDUSTRY 2
Executive Summary
The gradually increasing rates of railway industry accidents have spurred a mega public debate
concerning the safety on the mode of transport. The lessons learned from the previous accidents
normally lead to the structuring of policies that are helpful in safety management. This paper
reviews the case of the Sydney Train accident at the Richmond station systematically and
examines relevant insights emanating from the incident. Additionally, the paper explores the
change of policies following the occurrence and assesses whether they have been implemented
effectively.

SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE RAILWAY INDUSTRY 3
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................4
Discussion................................................................................................................................................... 4
Scenario...................................................................................................................................................5
Safety Breaches Leading to the Accident................................................................................................6
Changes in Policy Resulting from the Richmond Train Crash.................................................................7
Implementation of the Policy...................................................................................................................8
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................8
References...................................................................................................................................................9

SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE RAILWAY INDUSTRY 4
Introduction
Since their invention, railways are regarded as the most efficient means of transport.
Railway transport has always been the most economic environmentally sensitive and safest mode
of transport. However, in the past few years, it has been noted that the accident rates have been
increasing in the railway industry resulting in the need to institute the necessary changes. Safety
in the industry has evolved to be more questionable. Initially, most of the accidents used to occur
at the railway-road crossing (Rail Services Inc., 2018). Currently, one can hardly conclude that
these points are the only risky zones as the accidents now occur even at the safest locations; at or
near the railway stations. The increasing rates of accidents could be majorly blamed on the safety
breaches either by the railway staff or external parties. While the railways could at times be
below the set or required standards, the drivers too got an obligation to drive carefully to avoid
accidents (RSA Rail, 2017). The blame does not always have to be on the contractors or the
administration. In most cases, the two parties deliver their best, and the accidents still occur. As
thus, risk management in the railway industry should adopt the nature of shared interest among
all the parties involved.
Discussion
The modern world is characterized by numerous hazards which are much likely to cause
undesired effects. It is, therefore, necessary to come up with a comprehensive plan that could
help manage the future risks. Risk management in the railway industry seeks to minimize the
accidents which are likely to occur whether due to human error or technical issues (Beale, 2018).
Risk management follows a well-defined procedure that has proved viable in previous cases.
Firstly, the task force should identify the hazards or vulnerabilities that expose the railway
industry to any threat or accident (An, Lin, & Huang, 2013). Secondly, the potential risk should
be closely assessed. This help to determine the possible harm that the risk is likely to pose. The

SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE RAILWAY INDUSTRY 5
severity likely to occur from the vulnerability is assessed at this stage (Berrado, Cherkaoui, &
Khaddour, 2011). Thirdly, the probability of the accident or threat occurring is evaluated. This
helps to determine whether the risk lies within the acceptable range of risk limit (Leitner, 2017).
If the threat surpasses the limit, the appropriate measures are implemented.
Trains are normally capable of accommodating large crowds of people. Hence, any
accident that occurs threatens many lives contributing to heightened severity. The rising concern
due to the accidents is also much likely to lead to the loss of market share to the other modes of
transport (Walker & Strathie, 2015). The increased rates of accidents will automatically make
people lose their trust in the industry. Travelers will end up preferring their safety over the low
prices charged by the trains. Critically, no one would love to lead a miserable life just to save
some little coins.
Scenario
Australian citizens woke up to sad news on the 22nd of January 2018. At least 15 people
were injured from the midmorning train accident. The train which was scheduled to stop at
Richmond Station failed to break on arrival (Guardian staff and agencies, 2018). The accident
was so fatal such that a witness said that the travelers went flying like a Superman. The train
crashed into a buffer when the diver was slowing down to halt at the station. Some people had
initially reported that the train was derailed a claim which was later dismissed. Howard, the
Sydney Trains CEO reported that the train was stable on its rails. All the casualties from the
incident were transported to the hospital while still in a considerably stable condition (Campbell,
2018). However, some of the patients had sustained major injuries including bone fractures. A
woman aged 77 was injured o her collar bone and was also treated for spinal injuries. A man

SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE RAILWAY INDUSTRY 6
aged 22 years was also suspected to have broken his femur. Although no one was trapped inside
the wreck of the train, the passengers suffered injuries.
Immediately after the accident, conflicting reports arose concerning the speed of the train.
Eyewitnesses presented different claims with some saying that the train was over speeding.
However, a section of the witnesses disqualified this claim arguing that the speed of the train was
nothing more than 10 kilometers per hour. Those claiming that the speed was horrifying laid the
blame on the driver while their counterparts remained unsure of what had caused the accident.
Later investigations on the accident revealed that the driver was driving at a speed of
approximately 35 kilometers per hour. This was much acceptable as the set limit by then was 50
kilometers per hour. Additionally, the preliminary reports exposed that the driver was not new to
the route and was experienced as a train driver (Australian Transport and Safety Bureau, 2018).
He had the necessary qualifications and was under no drug influence. The hospital report also
revealed that he was medically fit when the accident occurred. The report did not identify any
problem with relation to the railway line or even the train itself.
Safety Breaches Leading to the Accident
Although there are continuing inquiries on the matter, it is quite justifiable that the
accident occurred due to both human and mechanical error (Clun & O'Sullivan, 2018). Although
the set speed while approaching stations was 50 kilometers per hour, it was a bit high. A speed
limit lower than 30 kilometers per hour would be effective. If the driver had been a bit more
careful with the buffers, the accident would have been prevented. Alternatively, if it had
occurred, it would have caused much less harm. The driver should have lowered the speed even
below 10 kilometers considering the fact that the train was heading to a stop.

SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE RAILWAY INDUSTRY 7
The accident occurred after the failure of its brakes making it to crash into a buffer. The
failed brakes are a sign of mechanical error within the train’s system (Hinze, Thurman, & Wehle,
2013). As much as the brakes are subjects to malfunction, it should not reach this extreme. Safer
alternatives should be sought to resolve the occurrence of a similar issue in the future. The
railways' authorities should have assessed the possible harm of the buffers before installing them.
They should have assessed any possible harm likely to result from any possible malfunctions or
failures.
The witnesses reported that the passengers had already risen to alight. This is also risky.
Preferably, they should have stayed seated until the train halted. The excessive injuries caused
could partially be blamed on this. It is a common trend for passengers to leave their sitting
positions in a moving train in preparation to alight. However, this not recommended by the
related safety measures. When the train crashed into the buffer, they were obviously nor stable
enough increasing the harm.
Changes in Policy Resulting from the Richmond Train Crash
Several policies were adjusted following the train crash in Richmond. Firstly, the speed
limit while approaching stations was reduced. This was perhaps the most notable and
commendable implementation from the incident. Initially, trains were supposed to stick to the
limit of 50 kilometers per hour which was changed to 20 kilometers per hour. The train line
operations (Sydney Trains) were temporarily closed. The Richmond Station was also shut down
following the train crash. Travelers in the area were to use alternative modes of transport with
most of them opting for buses. Thorough investigations were launched to establish the cause of
the fatal incident. The occupants of the train we adequately interviewed. The event recorders
installed in the train were also seized for examination.

SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE RAILWAY INDUSTRY 8
Implementation of the Policy
The speed limit policy is still applicable months after the train crash. This implies that
Australia has been true to this implementation and it was not a short-lived policy. Although the
Sydney Trains were later allowed back to their operations, the operators have always been keen
not to violate any of the set policies. The Richmond station was also reopened but with all the
appropriate changes installed. Since his incident, none of a similar nature has been witnessed
again. This implies that the policies implemented are appropriate in the prevention of similar
cases.
Conclusion
The case of the Sydney train accident is just one of the many railway accidents that have
been happening in the past few years both in Australia and n the entire world. Accidents in the
railway industry are incredibly costly not only in terms of resources but also the suffering of the
victims and their relatives. Railroad equipment costs millions of dollars and thus the replacement
costs the insurance companies a fortune. The suffering faced by the involved whether directly or
indirectly is the most heartbreaking experience. The bodily injuries pain the victims, and at times
they never recover fully. The people who lose their loved ones in the accidents either suffer
denial or depression which lowers the quality of their lives. All these costs can be controlled by
engaging Railroad risk management. This implies that a greater percentage of the railway
accidents are generally preventable. All that the stakeholders have to do is to identify all the
possible problems, address them and train the staff adequately.

SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE RAILWAY INDUSTRY 9
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Australian Transport and Safety Bureau. (2018, July 2). A collision of Waratah passenger train
A42 with buffer stop at Richmond Station, NSW, on 22 January 2018. Retrieved from
Australian Transport and Safety Bureau:
https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2018/rair/ro-2018-004/
Beale, C. J. (2018). Recent Railway Industry Accidents: Learning Points for the Process
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Berrado, A., Cherkaoui, A., & Khaddour, M. (2011). A Framework for Risk Management in the
Railway Sector: Application to Road-Rail Level Crossings. The Open Transportation
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Campbell, G. (2018, January 23). Richmond train crash: 'Horrifying' accident at the station in
Sydney injures 16. Retrieved from ABC News: http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-
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Clun, R., & O'Sullivan, M. (2018, January 22). Almighty bang': Passengers injured after train
crashes into a barricade at Richmond station. Retrieved from Fairfax Media:
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/people-injured-after-train-crash-at-richmond-
station-20180122-h0lzg6.html
Guardian staff and agencies. (2018, January 22). Richmond train crash: passengers injured at
Sydney station. Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-
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