Question NW347 to the Minister of Transport
08 March 2022 - NW347
Mabhena, Mr TB to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether the Railway Safety Regulator has completed an investigation into (a) the incident where an empty Transnet Freight Rail Blue train derailed at the Union Station Loop in Germiston on Sunday, 7 November 2021 and (b) two Blue train coaches derailing within the Salvokop Blue Train train-yard in January 2022; if not, what are the reasons that no investigation has taken place; if so, will he furnish Mr T B Mabhena with a copy of the report?
Reply:
Operators are required to investigate all occurrences and report the to the Railway Safety Regulator. The type of investigations the Railway Safety Regulator conducts is where occurrences result in any of the following:
(i) Multiple (more than one) injury or fatality in any occurrence category.
(ii) Significant damage to property including assets.
(iii) Significant environmental damage.
(iv) Any occurrences on the network which may attract significant public interest or may give rise to a possible evacuation of a community or part thereof, occurrences which may affect the normal public road usage or an injury/death to a public figure.
a) On 7 November 2021, at approximately 00h35, it was reported that Transnet Freight Rail Blue Train that was staged at Union station had run away and derailed at SCAW SA siding. The Railway Safety Regulator responded to the occurrence site to determine facts which contributed to derailment.
Transnet Freight Rail has indicated that they are conducting a Board of Inquiry (BOI) into the cause of the derailment to establish facts surrounding the occurrence and develop recommendations aimed at reducing the recurrence of the occurrence. The BOI is expected to be concluded by end of February 2022.
b) On 16 January 2022, at 11h18, it was reported that a Blue Train derailed during shunting at the Transnet Freight Rail yard in Pretoria at 11h00. No injuries were sustained, with no impact on assets and operations.
This occurrence does not meet the requirements for the Railway Safety Regulator to respond to site in accordance with the Railway Safety Regulator procedures, since it did not result in fatalities and/or injuries to operators’ employees, members of the public and passengers. There were no injuries sustained and no impact to assets and operations as a result of this occurrence.