28/09/2026
Compliance is more than a certificate. Thoughts by Mel :)
Within the road rail industry compliance is often viewed as a requirement. A certificate to obtain, due date to meet and just another item to tick off every year. But when we look beyond the paperwork, compliance represents something much more significant.
Every piece of road rail equipment operating on Australia rail network has the potential to impact the safety of – operators, rail workers, passengers and the public. The rail standards have been developed and exist through prior learned experiences. And that by maintaining equipment to a high standard, we help prevent incidents before they occur.
Trac East is a family business working within this industry and we have always believed that compliance isn’t about doing the minimum amount required for continuing use of plant and equipment. We believe in taking pride in the condition of the equipment, respecting our clients and operators and as such we recognise the responsibility that comes with working in an industry with no room for error.
As most people in the rail industry would know there is a continuous commitment to improvement. Equipment evolves; technology advances and the industry standards adapt as this new knowledge becomes available. We have adapted over the years as more networks become available our inspections have increased to cover them. In 2012 essentially there were two main networks that our clients would work for. Now there are up to 9. We have adapted our recertification process to cover all networks, meaning less down time for our clients as one inspection is all that is needed. Rather than seeing recertification as an interruption to client operations, we think it should be viewed as an opportunity to assess equipment to those required standards and identify wear before it becomes a failure and ensure that every machine remains fit for purpose.
We believe that a well-maintained machine does more than meet a standard. It provides confidence to the operator and reliability to the project. Preventative maintenance and regular inspections often reveal small issues that, if left unnoticed, could develop into major safety concerns and costly repairs.
The conversations are also changing around compliance. Increasingly, organisations are recognising that a strong safety culture begins long before an inspection takes place. It starts with the daily prestart, toolbox talks, maintenance programs and accountability of all staff. This needs to be an ongoing dialogue however, as the industry continues to build and change so too must an individual’s thoughts and concepts around compliance.
Ultimately, we all have a responsibility for upholding these road rail machines to the Australian standards, allowing the networks to operate safely and efficiently. Compliance is not simply the responsibility of the regulators, but it belongs to every person who owns, maintains, certifies and operates it.
A way to keep this at the forefront on any shift or depot is to ask yourself this question
“Would I feel confident putting someone I care about on this machine today?”
When viewed through that lens, compliance becomes more than just a certificate. It becomes a commitment. A commitment to safety, professionalism and the future of our industry. This is something that at Trac east we are always striving for in our road/rail certifications.
How do you feel about rail compliance - over the top or necessary for safety?
