VPRS 12767 Accident Reports, Joint Branch Investigation

Full description

This series consists of joint branch investigation reports on accidents involving trains from 1972 to 1985.

In order to ensure that adequate investigation of lesser incidents (i.e. other than matters for which a Board of Inquiry was ordered by the Group Manager, Operations Co-ordination) a joint investigation was held when authorised by the Manager, Operations Scheduling and Control or on the request of the Head of another Division or the Region Manager.

The Investigation comprised three members representing the Departments and Sections whose activities were to be examined.

The Joint Investigation was convened in such cases as safeworking irregularities, collisions in yards, derailments, when doubt existed as to responsibility and it was considered that a proper investigation by representatives of the relevant Departments and Sections should be made and statements obtained from all concerned, and the relevant Managers agree that a Joint Investigation was warranted.

The purpose of investigation was, after obtaining all available evidence and its careful consideration, to fix responsibility and make any recommendations for prevention and recurrence.

Findings and recommendations summarised and signed by the Joint Investigation together with statements and any other relevant material, were forwarded to the Manager, Operations Scheduling and control via the Region Manager.

The files contain Investigation Forms, copies of correspondence and internal memos. The information recorded on Forms includes,

- Time
- Date
- Witnesses
- Findings
- Recommendations to prevent recurrence
- Details of injuries/damages, etc. signed by Traffic, Way and Works and Rolling Stock Branches