OTSI's core business is to conduct transport safety investigations into rail, bus and ferry safety occurrences. In addition to this investigation function, OTSI also administers a Confidential Safety Information Reporting Scheme (CSIRS) for transport employees and conducts safety trend analysis of the rail, bus and ferry transport industries.
The scope of OTSI's interest within these transport industries is prescribed by the Transport Administration Act 1988, the Rail Safety Act 2008 and the Passenger Transport Act 1990. These Acts allow OTSI to investigate any matter affecting the safe operation of passenger or freight rail services, the management of rail infrastructure and the operation of a bus or ferry that is providing a public passenger service.
The purpose of OTSI's investigations is to identify the contributory factors to a safety occurrence and make recommendations to prevent their recurrence. To maximise the number of safety lessons available from each safety occurrence, OTSI's investigations are conducted within the context of a 'just culture'. OTSI does not seek to apportion blame. However, in the event that a safety occurrence was caused by a deliberate and malicious act the matter will be handed over to the appropriate regulator or enforcement agency.
To allow OTSI timely access to an accident site and other evidence, reporting requirements exist for rail, bus and ferry operators to notify specified safety occurrences to the OTSI Duty Officer. OTSI will determine whether the safety occurrence will be investigated by OTSI or the operator. OTSI's decision is influenced by:
For matters that OTSI investigates, the final investigation report is tabled by the Minister for Transport in both houses of the NSW Parliament and then subsequently published on this website.
OTSI also provides the Minister for Transport with a monthly summary of all investigation reports completed by transport operators.
© OTSI 2005-09
