Commemorating Over 4500 Rail Workers and Reinforcing the Commitment to Rail Safety
The 19th annual National Rail Safety Week in Australia began with a solemn remembrance event at the Australian Railway Monument in Werris Creek, where more than 4500 rail workers who have lost their lives since the 1850s were honored. The event brought together representatives from Australia’s 165,000-strong rail workforce, including government officials, industry leaders, and the families of those who have passed.
This year marks the first time such a broad group of national rail representatives has gathered to reflect on past losses and renew their commitment to improving safety for rail workers and the public. A minute of silence and the laying of wreaths were held in memory of the workers, including Kevin Baker and Mick Warren, Pacific National freight train drivers who tragically died in a level-crossing accident near the South Australia-NSW border on December 31, 2023.
The names of Baker and Warren were among the over 800 recently added to the national Wall of Remembrance, a solemn tribute managed by the Werris Creek Rail Journeys Museum. This year’s updates to the monument underscore the ongoing risks faced by those working in the rail industry.
National Rail Safety Week, which runs from August 5-11, is supported by around 100 organizations across Australia and New Zealand, including Sydney Trains, Pacific National, Qube, Aurizon, and the Australian Rail Track Corporation. The week is dedicated to promoting awareness of rail safety and reducing the risks associated with railway operations.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison emphasized the shared responsibility in ensuring the safety of everyone involved in or around railways, from employees to the general public. “Rail Safety Week highlights our collective duty to ensure that everyone returns home safely every day,” she said.
The TrackSAFE Foundation, which co-hosted the event, also highlighted the devastating impact of rail incidents on families, workers, and first responders. Executive Director Heather Neil stressed that most rail incidents are preventable and urged the public to be vigilant around rail crossings and tracks.
The significance of rail safety is especially poignant as rail volumes are set to increase with the upcoming grain season. Operators like Qube, which manages significant grain logistics, are reinforcing safety protocols among their teams and urging the public to avoid taking unnecessary risks near railways.
Aurizon, Australia’s largest rail-freight business, also marked the week with its “Respect the Sign. Lives are on the Line” campaign, aimed at increasing awareness about the dangers of level crossings. The campaign highlights the harsh realities faced by train crews and first responders who witness the trauma caused by level-crossing incidents.
As part of the broader National Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2023-2032, the rail and road industries, along with regulators and government agencies, are working together to implement measures that will enhance safety at level crossings across the country. These efforts reflect a unified commitment to reducing the number of tragic incidents and ensuring safer rail operations nationwide.
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