DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 277
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 08 June 2012
277. Mr H B Groenewald (DA-NW) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
(1) What are the reasons for safety deterioration in 2011 regarding
Transnetâs rolling disability injury frequency rate (DIFR);
(2) Whether any plans are in place to improve the safety ratio in 2012; if
not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? CW375E
REPLY
(1) According to Transnet, disabling injuries during 2010/11 were caused
by non-adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and motor vehicle
accidents on public roads.
(2) Safety risk management became a bigger focus area during 2011/12 and
going forward it will be aimed at improving the safety culture.
The following initiatives and deliverables were identified:
⢠A comprehensive data analysis of the root-cause of rail safety
incidents was undertaken and additional controls and risk mitigation
measures were rolled-out to the operations;
⢠Continuation of the Safety Culture Programme to promote a safety mind-
set and reduce unsafe acts in the workplace;
⢠Enhanced the quality of the incident investigations by the direct
involvement of risk management practitioners in the preliminary
investigations;
⢠Enhanced quality of the Boards of Inquiry outcomes through
involvement of independent subject matter experts external to Transnet;
⢠Enhancement of the credibility of incident investigation processes by
training, capacity building and utilisation of the proven risk
management techniques to ensure the correct identification and
understanding of root causes;
⢠Deployment of a safety performance management model for line managers
and supervisors;
⢠Empowerment of line personnel with risk assessment skills through
training;
⢠Improved health and safety management systems based on the audit
findings;
⢠Increased public awareness to reduce level-crossing accidents through
safety alerts, TV advertisements, newsflashes, articles, booklets and
community involvement;
⢠The review, training and monitoring of adherence to SOPs that are
critical to safety in line with the combined assurance plan;
⢠Increased Trolley trips and Ultrasonic Measurement Car inspections to
detect rail breaks;
⢠Increased Security inspections and patrols in identified hot spots;
⢠Accelerated Rail Replacement programme; and
⢠Improved Crew and Train Control Communication through the
introduction of technology such as On-Board Computers in non-signalled
areas to enforce train speed and extent of authority compliance.
During 2011/12 the Groupâs rolling Disabling Injury Frequency Rate (DIFR)
improved by 20.7% from 0.82 the previous year to 0.65 at 31 March 2012.
Disabling injuries dropped by 11% in 2011/12. The overall safety
performance in Transnet has improved and concerted efforts are made to
inculcate sustainable continuous improvement.