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Rail Safety National Law: Fatigue Risk Management; Hours of Work and Rest – COAG Consultation Regulation Impact Statement – National Transport Commission

On 27 February 2012, the National Transport Commission announced [External Link] the release of a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on the Rail Safety National Law fatigue risk management requirements relating to hours of work and rest for rail safety workers. The Consultation RIS outlines four options for the nationally consistent regulation of hours of work and rest for rail safety workers. It aims to support the objectives of the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) transport reform agenda, to develop a body of uniform rail safety national law that utilises a co-regulatory approach and:

  • supports a seamless national rail transport system;
  • does not reduce existing levels of rail safety;
  • streamlines regulatory arrangements and reduces the compliance burden for business; and
  • improves national productivity and reduces transport costs generally.

The release of the RIS follows Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure (SCOTI) approval in November 2011 of legislation to introduce National Rail Safety Laws and to establish a single National Rail Safety Regulator for Australia. The Office of Best Practice Regulation has assessed the Consultation RIS as adequate. The National Transport Commission is seeking feedback [External Link] from stakeholders on the proposed changes. The consultation period closes on 21 March 2012.