Re: Risky Freight Trains

["Russell Norton" <russelln@iprimus.com.au>]

"Tezza" <tezza2000@dingoblue.net.au> wrote in message
39a91930$0$771$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au">news:39a91930$0$771$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au...
>
> "robson" <robson@cia.com.au> wrote in message >
> > I have heard rumours that some private operator crews work exceedingly
> > long shifts. Is that true?
>
> Yes.
>
> > Is there rules governing the maximum hours
> > that can be worked, as there is with truck drivers?
>
> There is, but I'm not sure if it's actually law or just award conditions.
> Either way, it's constantly broken by FC, NR and AT. The others,...
> probably, but I don't have first hand knowledge of it.

Maximum hours worked for truck drivers' is legislated (i.e Law), whereas
train drivers' are only governed by an operators award conditions. Australia
should follow the USA's example, where it is illegal to drive a train over
12 hours on duty, and you are required by law to pull up (even in the middle
of a section) once you hit the 12 hour mark.