Rail safety legislation

The Rail Safety Act 2006 establishes a regulatory scheme 'to provide for safe rail operations in Victoria'.

The objects of the Act focus on the safety of rail operations, management of safety risks, continuous improvement in rail safety management, public confidence in the safety of rail transport and appropriate stakeholder involvement.

Key elements of the regulatory scheme are:

• Performance-based safety duties, applying to a broad range of parties that can affect rail safety outcomes
• An accreditation scheme for key rail industry operational parties
• A requirement that rail operators have a safety management system in place
• A broad range of sanctions and penalties
• Cost benefit protections against excessive action by the regulator
• Alcohol and drug controls on rail safety workers
• Provision to make codes of practice to guide regulated parties.