On this page: What is an SMS? | Why establish an SMS? | Who should establish an SMS? | What if I am not an accredited operator? | Further guidance
Rail safety legislation requires rail operators to establish and maintain a safety management system (SMS).
What is an SMS?
An SMS is a system for controlling safety risks in rail operations. It documents standards, practices and procedures that when implemented successfully, promotes and maintains safety in an organisation.
Why establish an SMS?
There will always be hazards and risks associated with the rail industry (and many other industries). Implementing an SMS is a proactive way to identify these risks to safety and the ways in which they can be controlled – before incidents occur.
As well as meeting legal obligations, establishing an SMS brings other potential benefits to your organisation:
- It makes good sense financially (when accidents occur, they can be costly)
- Improved staff morale and productivity and contribution to a safety culture
- Increased awareness of responsibilities for safety, at every level in your organisation
- Increased confidence in reporting safety incidents, hazards and risks before an accident occurs.
Who should establish an SMS?
If you are an accredited rail operator in Victoria or you are seeking rail operator accreditation, you are required by law to establish and maintain an SMS.
An SMS needs to reflect the context and structure of your organisation. Generally the larger the organisation, the more detail required in the SMS.
To satisfy legal obligations, your SMS must include all elements detailed in Schedule 2 of the Rail Safety Regulations 2006. In addition, you must:
- Consult with employees and other relevant stakeholders before establishing the SMS
- Comply with your established SMS
- Ensure that you review and revise the SMS:
- At least once every five years
- When/if you apply to the Safety Director to vary your accreditation
- If a major incident occurs involving your accredited operation
- If it is a recommendation of a safety audit
- Provide a copy of, or parts of, the SMS to the Safety Director if requested
- Keep an up to date copy of the SMS
What if I am not an accredited operator?
In Victoria, operators of private sidings are eligible to apply for exemption from accreditation. If granted exemption by the Safety Director, these operators must still establish and maintain an SMS, however, the level of detail is significantly less and contains information under the following headings:
- Interface co-ordination
- Risk management
- Infrastructure maintenance
The legislative requirements are set out in Schedule 3 of the Rail Safety Regulations 2006
Further guidance
You should contact us for further information about establishing and maintaining an SMS.