Greek Transport Safety Body Issues Recommendations in Tempi Crash Report

The National Organization for the Investigation of Aviation and Railway Accidents and Transport Safety (EODASAAM) has issued a total of 17 urgent safety recommendations in its report on the 2023 train collision in Tempi.

The investigative committee emphasized that while it is making recommendations to all relevant entities—including OSE, Hellenic Train, RAS, and the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA)—it lacks the authority to enforce their implementation. However, as an independent body, it expects to receive progress updates every six months to monitor interventions.

One of the key recommendations highlights the need to address the risks associated with unstructured and methodologically weak safety-related messages, as well as the use of an open communication system where safety-critical transmissions do not take priority over other communications.

Many of these recommendations require the support of the Greek government to be effectively implemented.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has been urged to continue with the implementation of its existing Action Plan, creating a framework to ensure that railway operators have the necessary human, financial, and organizational resources to develop a sustainable and safe rail system.

The Greek Railways Organization (OSE) must gain a better understanding of the risks associated with operating Greece’s current railway system and improve its risk management approach. It should also optimize infrastructure performance and reliability while managing safety risks throughout their lifecycle.

Additionally, OSE must regularly assess the competence of personnel handling safety-critical tasks, not only upon hiring but throughout their careers.

A performance monitoring system should be developed to detect any decline in the safety-related work of stationmasters or other staff. Furthermore, OSE must learn from past incidents and accidents to implement structural improvements that support operational staff.

Maximizing the availability of recorded data for accident analysis and exploring the use of technology for continuous safety performance monitoring is also recommended.

For Hellenic Train, the report advises strengthening its competence management system to ensure that train drivers and other safety-critical personnel are adequately prepared, introducing a performance monitoring system.

The National Railway Safety Authority (RAS) has been urged to establish an incident reporting system to enhance learning from adverse events. Additionally, it should strengthen its supervisory capacity to assess the overall safety performance of the Greek railway system.

The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) has been recommended to expedite the implementation of action plans related to Single Safety Certificates and identified deficiencies that hinder RAS from effectively monitoring railway companies’ Safety Management Systems.

Meanwhile, the European Commission has been advised to establish a framework requiring EU member states to comply adequately and promptly with safety policy requirements. The effectiveness of these EU safety rules must be assessed at all levels within member states.

Finally, the Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has been urged to develop a detailed Emergency Response and Crisis Management Plan in collaboration with emergency services, following internationally recognized best practices.

Source: tovima.com