201003 – Nikandros – Signalling So Far As Is Reasonably Practicable

In Australia, both the model rail safety legislation and the model workplace health and safety legislation require the reduction of safety hazards and risks so far as is reasonably practicable. Railway signalling evolved both as a profession and as a technology because of accidents and the realisation that safety with respect to the movement of trains over a network needed improvement. But will the signalling systems in use or planned satisfy the “so-far-as-is-reasonably-practicable” test; a test that is determined by a Court with the benefit of hindsight and the influence of public opinion? Demonstrating compliance with rail industry signalling standards may not be a sufficient to demonstrate that the railway operation is safe so far as is reasonably practicable. This paper discusses the SIL concept and what is needed to strengthen the argument for so far as is reasonably practicable.