Queensland Rail (QR) has defended its safety system against a leaked document, but the State Government said the company had “a long way to go” to improve its record.
The company released its safety report following a leak of internal documents highlighting staff concerns about safety.
QR chief executive Lance Hockridge said its record spoke for itself and users should have “the utmost confidence” in rail travel in Queensland .
“The fact there has not been a fatality from a collision of QR trains for more than 20 years demonstrates that our safety system is working,” Mr Hockridge said.
“Our record speaks for itself and we ask passengers and the community to make their own judgments based on an informed understanding of QR’s safety systems and processes.”
However, Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel told parliament despite the company’s renewed focus on safety, it had a big task ahead to reduce workplace accidents.
“Let us be clear. In 2007-08 it paid out more than $17 million in workers compensation claims. That is unacceptable, not just in financial terms but much more importantly because of the impact it has on workers and their families,” Mr Mickle said.
He said QR awarded safety advisor DuPont a $24 million contract over four years to assess and improve workplace safety aiming zero harm.
“I understand this increased focus on safety and the engagement of DuPont has ruffled some feathers within QR, but safety must be improved further.
“There have been some safety improvements in the last decade, but Queensland Rail has a long way to go,” he said.
He said its derailment rate declined over the past decade from 2.2 to 0.8 for every million train kilometres travelled, the company was still prone to workplace injuries.
"There has been some success with a reduction in QR's lost time injury frequency rate in the last six months, but one workplace accident is one too many.
“We expect Queensland Rail to lift its game,” Mr Mickel said.
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