This week is the annual Rail Safety Week, a community awareness week run by TrackSAFE Foundation in Australia & New Zealand promoting the awareness and engagement of safe rail practices. The awareness campaign promotes a message that most of these incidents can be avoided if people are sensible, pay attention and put away mobile devices.
One person is killed or injured on the Australian rail network every 2.5 days
The latest statistics show that one person is killed or injured on the Australian rail network every 2.5 days. Additionally, close to 2,000 near hits happen at level crossings or because of trespass each year. These fatalities and events have a knock-on effect on rail workers, often causing lasting trauma.
The team at Journey Management System (JMS) has thrown support behind the TackSAFE campaign, joining rail operators, police, government, and community organisations to promote safe rail practices, with a focus on urging companies to take more responsibility for their workers in this space.
“When this is coupled with the rail network statistics, the fact that road accidents account for 43% of all work-related fatalities in Australia, it’s clear that driving is one of the riskiest tasks any worker can undertake. Our software was developed to reduce the risk drive-in/drive-out (DIDO) workforces face daily.
JMS supports the rail safety messaging by allowing workers to plan journeys while flagging risks; a check-in system that combats driver fatigue; and a handsfree user experience that automates and manages the entire process, allowing workers to stay alert and focus on the road and any obstacles.”
– James Kelly, Director of Journey Management System
JMS supports the rail safety messaging by allowing workers to plan journeys while flagging risks; a check-in system that combats driver fatigue; and a handsfree user experience that automates and manages the entire process, allowing workers to stay alert and focus on the road and any obstacles.
By reducing the risk of cognitive fatigue, JMS is contributing to higher levels of safety on the roads and particularly in this instance around the rail networks.
Stand Back. Look Up. Stay Rail Safe.
As part of Rail Safety Week, we’re urging companies to do their bit to promote the safety of their travelling workforces. We know that a moment of distraction can change a life forever, and we must all do everything we can to ensure we all stay safe.
Rail Safety Week’s message is to stand back, look up and stay rail safe. We’re expanding on that to say to road workers: Stay alert, take fatigue stops and arrive safe.
Where driving over a rail crossing is unavoidable, the advice from TrackSAFE is clear: always ensure there is enough space for your vehicle on the other side of a level crossing, always check blind spots before crossing light rail tracks, and always speak up if you are concerned about your own or a workmate’s safety.
