TrackSAFE

In collaboration with TrackSAFE Foundation and member rail organisations, Phoenix Australia established a Trauma Management Framework for the rail industry. The framework guides best practice approaches to trauma management from pre-incident through to the event itself and post-incident. 

We identified some priority actions for implementing the framework, which was funded by TrackSAFE Foundation and received universal support from member rail organisations.

The initiatives include a ‘Back on Track after Trauma’ video, designed to promote awareness of trauma and its impact throughout rail organisations. The video features real stories of rail industry employees describing their experiences of trauma, recovery and support within their organisations. It emphasises the critical role of supervisor and organisational support and provides information for staff on how they can look after themselves and seek support following a traumatic incident.

This program involves training drivers and others who are directly impacted by traumatic events, as well as training managers and supervisors in Psychological First Aid in order to provide support to drivers following these events.

“The staff training programs and trauma awareness DVD that TrackSAFE had developed with Phoenix Australia are invaluable resources for the rail industry. The resources are being actively taken up by the industry, and are a vital part of our Trauma Management Framework. We have had extremely positive feedback on the resources.” – Naomi Frauenfelder, General Manager TrackSAFE and Industry Development, Australasian Railway Association.

TrackSAFE and Phoenix Australia are proud of their ongoing collaboration, which works to create the right support systems within rail organisations while also building positive internal cultures and attitudes towards those affected by the very real events and challenges they are faced with. TrackSAFE and Phoenix Australia continue to work together – ongoing improvements are needed to continue to protect and support rail industry workers affected by trauma.