An independent review of the ARA’s Rail Industry Worker (RIW) program has found that it is a powerful tool to ensure compliance with Rail Safety National Laws (RSNL) and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) laws.

The review by Herbert Smith Freehills, a world leading international law firm, found: “The program appears to us to be user friendly, accessible and capable of providing information which we consider would be of significant benefit to an RIW Program Participant to achieve compliance with a number of rail safety and OHS obligations.”

The review focused on how the RIW system assists Rail Transport Operators, including Rolling Stock Operators and Rail Infrastructure Managers, and Contractors to manage their obligations.

“We consider the RIW Program to be a powerful tool for ensuring compliance with those key elements of an RIW Program Participant’s obligations under the RSNL, and the principles required for compliance with the general duties under OHS laws,” it concluded.

The review considered:

• The obligations owed by Rail Transport Operators against Rail Safety National Law (RSNL) and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) laws
• The RIW Program’s ability to assist RIW Program Participants to manage obligations under the Rail Safety National Law (RSNL), and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Laws
• Any limitations and opportunities for improvement of the RIW Program

These findings were subsequently delivered by Steve Bell from Herbert Smith Freehills at the AusRAIL PLUS Conference, held in Sydney earlier this month.

For a copy of the Aus Rail Presentation delivered by Steve Bell, Click here.

For a copy of the Full report delivered by Herbert Smith Freehills, Click here.