The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is an independent
Commonwealth Government statutory Agency. The Bureau is
managed by a Commission and is entirely separate from transport
regulators, policy makers and service providers.
The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence
in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport through
excellence in:
- independent investigation of transport accidents and other
safety occurrences;
- safety data recording, analysis and research; and
- fostering safety awareness, knowledge and action.
The ATSB is established by the Transport Safety
Investigation Act 2003 (TSI Act) and conducts its
investigations in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Under
the TSI Act, it is not a function of the ATSB to apportion blame or
provide a means for determining liability. The ATSB does not
investigate for the purpose of taking administrative, regulatory or
criminal action.
The organisation
The Bureau's Commission is constituted by a full-time
Commissioner and two part-time Commissioners. Additional
part-time Commissioners may be appointed where their expertise is
required for a significant investigation.
The ATSB's staff (approximately 110) includes about 60 aviation,
marine and rail safety investigators. Most are based in Canberra.
Field offices are located in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
ATSB staff are also employed in areas covering notification and
confidential reporting, as well as research and analysis
(particularly in aviation safety).
The ATSB is a member of key safety bodies which include: the
International Transportation Safety Association (ITSA);
International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI); Flight
Safety Foundation (FSF); and the Marine Accident Investigators'
International Forum (MAIIF).
The Australian context
Australians travel vast distances by air, sea, rail and
road.
Transport activity grows as the economy grows. All sectors rely
on transport to move products and provide services.
Although Australia has an impressive safety record, as transport
activity increases, so does the risk of accidents and
incidents.
The Australian government, State and Territory governments,
local governments, industry and other stakeholders work
collaboratively on transport safety.
The ATSB and transport safety
The ATSB's accident investigation role is a fundamental part of
Australia's transport safety framework. Lessons arising from the
investigations conducted by the ATSB are used to reduce the risk of
future accidents and incidents through the implementation of safety
action by industry and the Government.
The independence of the ATSB is integral to the Bureau's safety
role. Investigations that are independent of the parties involved
in an accident, as well as transport regulators and government
policy makers, are better positioned to avoid conflicts of interest
and external interference. Being able to investigate without
external direction provides an assurance that the findings will be
determined and fully reported on without bias.
Bureau publications include reports on the facts and findings of
investigations, safety research material, and statistics. Reports
often contain safety action and recommendations for authorities and
other parties to address in the interests of safety
improvements.
Aviation
Australia's development as a nation through the twentieth
century was closely linked to the development of the aviation
industry. This industry has helped us overcome vast internal
distances and geographical isolation from the rest of the
world.
The ATSB is responsible for the independent investigation of
accidents and incidents involving civil aircraft in Australia. The
ATSB's primary focus for its investigations is fare-paying
passenger operations. However, all accidents and incidents related
to flight safety in Australia or involving Australian registered
aircraft overseas must be reported to the ATSB. While the ATSB does
not investigate all of these, it still needs to be notified so that
the data can be recorded for possible future safety research and
analysis. Please call the toll-free number 1800 011 034 to notify
the ATSB of such accidents or incidents.
Australia is a member of the Council of the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is made up of 190 countries.
The ATSB has frequently assisted with international investigations,
including through the analysis of flight-recorder ('black box')
data.
Marine
Marine transport accounts for the vast majority of imports and
exports of cargo in and out of Australia, and also plays a
significant role through coastal trade. Cruise shipping is also a
growth industry.
The ATSB conducts marine investigations into accidents and
serious incidents involving Australian registered ships anywhere in
the world, foreign flag ships within Australian waters, or where
evidence relating to an accident involving ships is found in
Australia. Accidents and serious incidents must be reported as soon
as practicable to the ATSB. Often such a report will be made
through the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). If you
wish to report a marine accident or incident, you may contact the
Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR) on 1800 641 792 or the ATSB
on 1800 011 034.
Australia is also a council member of the International Maritime
Organization (IMO), and actively participates in its forums on
accident investigations in the interests of making global
improvements to shipping safety.
Rail
The Defined Interstate Rail Network (DIRN) is a vital part of
the nation's transport infrastructure, providing an important
alternative to road transport for Australia's increasing freight
distribution. Because of this national significance, the ATSB
investigates rail accidents and serious incidents that occur on the
DIRN.
The ATSB helps make significant improvements in interstate rail
safety through its investigations. It widely disseminates its
findings through the public release of its reports, making its
safety findings accessible in all jurisdictions.
Noting, though, that the regulatory responsibility for rail
safety is with the states and the Northern Territory (NT),
accidents and serious incidents that occur on the DIRN must be
reported as soon as practicable to the relevant state or NT rail
safety authority. The ATSB is then informed for the purpose of the
ATSB determining whether or not to investigate. If reporting
directly to the ATSB, call the toll-free number 1800 011 034.
Legislative framework
The TSI Act allows the ATSB to investigate transport safety
matters in the aviation, marine and rail transport modes within the
Australian Government's constitutional jurisdiction. The Act
contains powers for the release of transport safety information,
including investigation reports that detail the findings and
significant factors that led to a particular transport safety
occurrence.
A comprehensive regime of provisions within the TSI Act is in
place to maintain the confidentiality of, and legal protection for,
a range of sensitive safety information obtained by ATSB
investigators. ATSB investigation reports and most evidence
collected during an investigation cannot be used in civil or
criminal proceedings. ATSB investigation reports may be used
in coronial inquiries for the purpose of improving safety.
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