Assoc Prof Bert Biggs, Dr Tamara Banks & Mr Nathan Dovan Acknowledgment: CRC for Rail Innovation

CRICOS No. 00213J

Incident investigation training needs for the Australasian rail industry

Assoc Prof Bert Biggs, Dr Tamara Banks & Mr Nathan DovanAcknowledgment: CRC for Rail Innovation

Background

• Project: Develop a national training program & capability framework for rail incident investigators

• Presentation:– Rail incident investigation in Australia– Current Australasian approach to training– Training needs– Development of a training framework

Method

Training Framework

SME’s Interviews

& Surveys

Current Training

Literature Review

Rail incident investigation

• Investigations are a core component for preventing the reoccurrence of incidents

• Typically 5 levels of incident investigation– L1-2 Specialist org, L3-5 internal investigation

• Past = Silo approach• 2012 = Appointment of a national rail safety

regulator & harmonisation of WHS• Strong support for a more collaborative

approach

Current approach to training• Inconsistent T&D of rail incident investigators• Formal courses and informal on-the-job learning• Training varies within and between organisations• 2 day derailment course - CQ Australia

University’s Masters in Accident Investigation

• Current courses do not offer the breadth of development required for a comprehensive career pathway in incident investigation

Current approach to trainingI obtained sufficient interest in the position with 14 applications being

received. However, only one of the applicants had completed a satisfactory level of training.

Having a standardised training program would increase the pool of applicants we can recruit from. It would also allow us to outsource our

investigations to an external investigator.

I would like to see accident investigators have more career opportunities and be more homogenous in their approach to

investigations. The problem lies in getting a curriculum up and running that can help facilitate this.

Training needs

• TNA - modified-Delphi method; task level• 71 employee capability requirements• Rate the list

– 1 = not required at a minimal level – 7 = full understanding/competence required; 8 = unsure

– Low level investigations of minor incidents (N=52)– High level investigations of serious incidents (N=47)

Training needs• Ratings

– Low level investigations of minor incidents (M=5.3)– High level investigations of serious incidents (M=5.9)

• Generic requirements rated higher than the industry specific requirements– Consistent with previous research conducted in the

Health industry e.g. Biesma (2008)• Similar perceived needs Spiral approach

“The training topics covered should be the same, just more in-depth for senior investigators”

Top 10 requirementsHigh Level Investigation Mean (SD) Low level Investigation Mean (SD)

Thorough 6.60 (.53) Site Safety 6.30 (.91)

Objective 6.58 (.61) Personal Safety 6.28 (.90)

Critical/Analytical Thinking 6.56 (.70) Understanding Personal Limitations (use SME)

6.22 (.89)

Managing Investigations 6.52 (.64) Confidentiality 6.21 (.95)

Attention to Detail 6.52 (.70) Attention to detail 6.11 (1.07)

Confidentiality 6.52 (.75) Objective 6.02 (1.00)

Site Safety 6.48 (.70) Thorough 6.00 (1.06)

Problem Solving 6.48 (.70) Recommendations 5.94 (1.44)

Compliance 6.42 (.96) Problem Solving 5.94 (1.15)

Personal Safety 6.42 (.67) Critical/Analytical Thinking 5.89 (1.11)

Lowest 10 requirementsHigh Level Investigation Mean (SD) Low level Investigation Mean (SD)Rolling Stock Fundamentals 5.27 (1.27) Signaling system and

electrical fundamentals4.62 (1.65)

Signaling system and electrical fundamentals

5.24 (1.38) Statistical Analysis 4.59 (1.77)

Rail vehicle occupant safety 5.12 (1.52) Rail ergonomics 4.53 (1.67)Rail vehicle crash dynamics 5.12 (1.53) Rail resource management 4.45 (1.61)Rail resource management 5.06 (1.52) Rail vehicle occupant safety 4.38 (1.91)Wheel rail interface 5.06 (1.52) Infrastructure construction and

maintenance4.36 (1.65)

Rail ergonomics 5.04 (1.36) Level Crossings 4.34 (1.70)Infrastructure construction and maintenance

5.02 (1.42) Wheel rail interface 4.25 (1.69)

Level Crossings 4.94 (1.36) Rail vehicle crash dynamics 4.00 (1.96)Heritage Operations 4.29 (1.82) Heritage Operations 3.66 (1.94)

Developing a training framework• Findings guide development of competency areas• Cert IV and Diploma accredited under AQF• Strong industry support for rail-specific competency

framework with multi-level program– Allow industry to share training resources – Increase recruitment pool of qualified professional

investigators– Provide a nationally recognised career pathway for rail

investigators

[email protected]

Multi-disciplinary event

– Road & transport safety– Aviation safety– Watercraft safety– Construction safety

http://ositconference.com