It’s Rail Safety Week in Australasia – an annual community awareness week designed to engage the community in safe rail practices.
In Sydney, our light rail team is using the occasion to encourage conversations about looking after yourself and being fit for work. Through a series of competitions, announcements and employee events, the team is reminding and encouraging each other to always turn up for work prepared to deliver safe and comfortable journeys for our customers:
- Staying hydrated and avoiding fatigue, by getting enough sleep
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- Finding healthy ways to deal with stress (such as exercise and getting support from our Employee Assistance Program)
- Following our drug and alcohol policy
In Auckland and Wellington, a number of our team members attended the launch of TrackSAFE’s new campaign, which focussed on near misses to implore people to cross with care at all level crossings.
According to TrackSAFE, there were “close to 400 near misses between people, vehicles and trains at level railway crossings” last year.
The campaign focuses on the important message of crossing with care and provides an insight into the trauma and stress some train drivers feel when driving past a level crossing.
An important message for everyone is to look both ways before you cross, avoid distractions by taking your headphones out and keep your eyes on the road ahead, not on your phone.
Be sure to check out the campaign website, nearmisses.co.nz, for more information as well as tips to practise safer behaviours around level crossings and the train network.
For more information on Rail Safety Week, go to https://tracksafefoundation.com.au/rail-safety-week/ or tracksafe.co.nz.