Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

There is no requirement for health professionals who provide primary health care to transport industry personnel employed in safety-critical roles to inform appropriate authorities when there are concerns regarding the fitness of duty of such personnel under their care. In this instance the driver had been prescribed a collection of medications that singularly or collectively had the potential to adversely affect his performance, yet he continued to drive freight and passenger trains. The Commission recommends that the Secretary for Transport address this safety issue.

Enlist the assistance of the New Zealand Railways to develop suitable instruction outlines and supporting pictorial and other aids for alerting pupils to such hazards.

Identify all other private level crossings that are neither statutory nor granted, and either execute a deed of grant for each crossing that meets technical standards and there is a need to retain the crossing, or close the crossing.

The requirement for duplicate inspections after maintenance is performed on critical aircraft systems reduces the risk of a maintenance error remaining undetected and causing an accident. However, there are only a few specified control systems that are deemed critical and that require duplicate inspections. There are other important systems – for example, the landing gear and brakes – that are not subjected to the same level of scrutiny. This is a safety issue, particularly for aircraft used in air transport operations where the consequences of an accident could be greater.

Participate with the Land Transport Safety Authority, Toll NZ, Papakura District Council and Auckland City Council in a review of all existing railway level crossings within the Auckland metropolitan area, to ensure that their design, layout, signage and warning devices are adequate for current road and rail traffic volumes and will be adequate to meet projected increases in rail traffic on the Auckland rail corridors.

Examine the practicality to erecting "crib" type barriers at the lower end of long sloping ramps between overhead bridges and platforms to reduce the hazard to platform users from cyclists and skaters who take advantage of these slopes

Ensure that staff allocated driving duties of on-track maintenance vehicles are appropriately trained and certificated.

The interpretation of SIGMETs could be improved by the use of clearer reference to geographical regions, although the requirement to conform to ICAO Standards and Recommended Procedures is appreciated.

develop and introduce a more intensive audit and assessment procedure for new train controllers for their first 12 months in the position, culminating in a re-certification after that period before moving into the bi-annual re-certification process.

draft an amendment to Rule Part 40C.60(b) [Design, Construction and Equipment - Non-Passenger Solas] for the consideration of the Minister to clarify the intent of the rule with regard to the requirements for positive means of quick release mechanisms for ships towing from bollards

Draw attention of owners/operators to Textron Lycoming Commercial Service Letter 102 (dated 23 June 1992) to inform or remind them of the series of modifications and improvements that may be made to existing fuel pumps with particular reference to Chandler Evans Service Bulletin SB 73-98 "Improved internal spline lubrication resulting in reduced spline wear and extended pump service life".

Put in place procedures to ensure that the watchkeeping alarms fitted to all vessels operated by his company are used whenever a navigational watch is undertaken.