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Improving the Competence of Protection OfficersVishal Singh, GM Rail Corridor Safety April 2017

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The Protection Officer

• Is the person responsible for managing the safety of workers within the Sydney Trains Rail Corridor

• Primary responsibility: – to remove the risk of a worker being struck by a train through

implementing the appropriate level of Worksite Protection

Why is this role safety critical and what are the implications for poor PO performance?

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Outline

1. Previously identified issues with PO performance

2. Methods and initiatives employed to overcome these issues

3. Results and effectiveness of these initiatives

4. Future initiatives and approaches

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Who we are…

14 Rail Safety Coaches and 4 Safeworking Mentors:

– Subject matter experts in Worksite Protection

– PO4 & Workplace Trainer Assessor qualified

– Demonstrated excellence in non-technical skills

– Respected by their peers

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What we do…Coaches and Mentors:

– Initially provided assistance to POs à extended to Signal Box

and station staff

– Provide advice on Network Rules & Procedures

– Promote collaboration

– Conduct routine and targeted Competency Assurance reviews

for POs

– Provide upskilling for POs

– Assist in audits & investigations

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2010 –The Story Begins

– 160 – Worksite protection incidents– 49 – of these were high potential– 1 fatality

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Worksite Protection Program Established

• Implemented projects to– Improve Safety Culture– Introduce engineering safety

solutions– Tighten Network rules and

procedures

• Major focus now on developing Protection Officers -

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The IssueWorksite Protection (WSP) Incident Report (2013-14) identified:

Opportunities for

improvement

An increase in the number of high potential Worksite Protection

Incidents

A decrease in reporting compliance breaches

A high number POs requiring further development

Common WSP root causes and contributing factors

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Root Causes & Contributing Factors

• Poor Communication

• Poor Planning

• Lack of Situational Awareness

• Complacency

• Lack of Knowledge / Competence

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Authority Gradient Poor Supervision Workplace Norms

Distraction Lack of Teamwork Lack of Resources

Fatigue Work Pressure

Root Causes & Contributing Factors

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Project 41: Improving PO Performance

• Project Aim:To deliver initiatives that reduce and/or eliminate the risk of a

track worker being struck by a train.

• Project Initiatives:1. Reduce number of POs

2. Selection and Training

3. Competence Management and Assurance

4. Tools and Technology

5. Data collection and analysis

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1. Reduce number of POs• Aims:

– Establish no. POs required for the business

– Smaller pool of POs to allow for more targeted training and

development opportunities

• Initiatives:– Revised requirements for Protection Officer Evidence Portfolio

– Introduced Assess Corridor Safety qualification

– Revised approval process for new PO’s

• Result: Reduction in number of Protection Officers2013-14 2015-16 Current≈1900 ≈1100 <1000

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2. PO Selection & Training• Aim:

– Identify the key skills required in the role of a Protection Officer and

improve selection & Training processes to target these skills

• (e.g. non-technical skills, communication, safety behaviours, planning)

• Initiatives:– Introduced Protection Officer Pre-assessment

• Scenario-based and psychometric assessments

• Pre-requisite for PO1 Training

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2. Selection & TrainingResult:

– April 2016 à Feb 2017: 52% met the benchmark

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Selection & Training• Reviewed PO1 Initial Training Curriculum and amended sign-off

process for PO1 on-job workbook

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3. Competence Management & Assurance

• Aim:

– To identify active POs

– To improve the technical and

non-technical skills of POs

• Initiatives

– Evidence of Practice

– PO Recertification

– Coaching and Reviews

– Other Interventions

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Evidence of PracticeMinimum requirement: implement Work on Track Protection at

least once every quarter

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Coaching & Reviews

• 12 monthly assurance cycle reviews

– 1 x Worksite Protection Plan

– 1 x Audio Review

– 1 x Coaching Session

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Coaching Template

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PO Recertification• Introduced:

– PO Evidence Portfolio

• Submit 1 x WPP every quarter

– Revised interactive curriculum

• Reality Centre

• Multimedia curriculum delivery

• Results:– Identified PO’s that required further coaching and development

– Removal of qualification for those not regularly practicing

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4. Tools & Technology

• Use of SKS, ATWS, TCOD

• Access to information on the go

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5. Data Collection & Analysis

• RCS Incident data

• WPP & Audio Review data

• Coaching/Mentoring Data analysis

• Corridor Safety Centre Data

– Corrections data

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Average PO Review Scores: July 2016 – March 2017

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The Results

• $3.5M savings p/annum

• Safety culture change

• Improved competence of POs

• Better communications between POs and Signallers

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The Results• 85% reduction in high severity incidents over 6 years

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What’s Next?

Safety Interactions during Configuration Possession

Electronic Workbooks

Better Planning of work on track

Safety Critical Communications training for all

Increased coverage at nights and on weekends

Use of Automatic Track Warning System

Corridor Safety System extended 24/7

Non-Technical Skills training for Rail Safety Workers

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