Australians can now take part in in the dialogue relating to the proposed options for the regulation of the management of fatigue risk in the rail industry. The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a draft regulatory impact statement for the Rail Safety National Law which will be commencing in 2013. The draft statement is open for public scrutiny and offers four options for managing work and rest hours for rail workers. NTC Chief Executive, Nick Dimopoulos stressed the differences in how states and territories regulate fatigue across Australia.

However, Dimopoulous said the NTC is working to eliminate the need for multiple fatigue management regulations which can be costly and bewildering for workers within the rail industry. NTC has allegedly been working in conjunction with the project office, government officials, and industry and union fatigue experts, to determine the most effective way to harmonise the fatigue regulations across Australia. Dimopoulous believes that an agree national fatigue requirement will boost safety , productivity, and efficiency. The NTC and the National Rail Safety Regulator Project Office are expected to hold a series of discussions throughout the country in order to gather feedback. This consultation period will close on March 21.

Source: http://www.ntc.gov.au/filemedia/Reports/NRSRFatigueRIS.pdf

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