❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses a potentially unsafe bus tyre used by Redlion Bus and Coach in Esperance, questioning contract breaches and accountability. The Minister's response acknowledges potential breaches but cites limitations in determining specifics and actions taken.
AnsweredQoN 2601Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Redlion Bus and Coach Company in Esperance and
the photographs "Tyre off 1042 (1)" and
"Tyre off 1042 (2)", which may be found at robinchapple.com/qdata taken on 19
August 2014, which depicts a tyre taken off a bus at the company, so bald that it had worn through the wires around a significant portion of the tyre, and ask: (a) is
it correct that this tyre was removed, on or around 8 August 2014,
from the rear of a bus known as 1042, which was used on a route known
as 003 to transport children to and from
schools in the district of Esperance; (b) is
it correct that it was stated by the Occupational Health and Safety Manager (OHS
Manager) of this company, on a meeting commencing at 9.00am on 12
August 2014, that a total of six different drivers had driven this bus with the tyre
in that condition, having completed and signed a prestart checklist indicating
that the tread on the tyres had been checked and therefore it was safe for them
to operate the bus; (c) is
it correct that one of those drivers referred to in (b), was in fact the OHS
Manager of the company, who operated the bus on a school bus route known as 003, on 4 July 2014; (d) does
operating a bus with a tyre on it in the condition depicted in the photographs, constitute a breach of any contract that the company holds with the department,
or any other legislation; (e) if
yes to (d), please specify the breaches and penalty for each breach; (f) is
the OHS Manager of this company responsible and accountable for any of the breaches
depicted in the photograph and referred to in (e); (g) if yes to (f), please specify which breaches and the penalty for each breach; (h) does
the Minister approve of a tyre being in this condition on a bus that is
transporting children under contract to the State Government, and being operated
by the OHS Manager as being competent and of setting a good example to the
employees of the company; (i) does
the Minister approve of the OHS Manager of this company allowing six different
drivers to operate a bus, with a tyre in this condition, that is
transporting children under contract to the State Government; and (j) will
the Minister require his department to take action on this matter and, if so,
what action?
the photographs "Tyre off 1042 (1)" and
"Tyre off 1042 (2)", which may be found at robinchapple.com/qdata taken on 19
August 2014, which depicts a tyre taken off a bus at the company, so bald that it had worn through the wires around a significant portion of the tyre, and ask: (a) is
it correct that this tyre was removed, on or around 8 August 2014,
from the rear of a bus known as 1042, which was used on a route known
as 003 to transport children to and from
schools in the district of Esperance; (b) is
it correct that it was stated by the Occupational Health and Safety Manager (OHS
Manager) of this company, on a meeting commencing at 9.00am on 12
August 2014, that a total of six different drivers had driven this bus with the tyre
in that condition, having completed and signed a prestart checklist indicating
that the tread on the tyres had been checked and therefore it was safe for them
to operate the bus; (c) is
it correct that one of those drivers referred to in (b), was in fact the OHS
Manager of the company, who operated the bus on a school bus route known as 003, on 4 July 2014; (d) does
operating a bus with a tyre on it in the condition depicted in the photographs, constitute a breach of any contract that the company holds with the department,
or any other legislation; (e) if
yes to (d), please specify the breaches and penalty for each breach; (f) is
the OHS Manager of this company responsible and accountable for any of the breaches
depicted in the photograph and referred to in (e); (g) if yes to (f), please specify which breaches and the penalty for each breach; (h) does
the Minister approve of a tyre being in this condition on a bus that is
transporting children under contract to the State Government, and being operated
by the OHS Manager as being competent and of setting a good example to the
employees of the company; (i) does
the Minister approve of the OHS Manager of this company allowing six different
drivers to operate a bus, with a tyre in this condition, that is
transporting children under contract to the State Government; and (j) will
the Minister require his department to take action on this matter and, if so,
what action?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 March 2015
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Transport
Response time
28 days
Insofar as the Public Transport Authority (PTA) is concerned, the PTA has a contract with Redlion Bus and Coach to operate intra-town school bus services. This question has been answered in that context.
(a) Unknown. It is acknowledged that the photograph depicts a tyre in an unserviceable condition, however in addition to fitting tyres to the Redlion Bus and Coach fleet, Redlion Bus and Coach also undertakes maintenance and tyre fitting for other companies as permitted under their mechanical workshop licence. Therefore the Public Transport Authority (PTA) cannot determine where the tyre was previously fitted.
(b) Unknown, the PTA does not attend or instigate internal contractor meetings.
(c) Not applicable
(d) Yes, if this tyre was in fact from a bus operating a service contracted by the PTA.
(e) Regional Town Bus Services Contract No 10/04 Clause 7.4(a) which requires compliance with the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002 Reg 48 (2). There is no penalty provision attached to this clause.
(f) Redlion Bus and Coach do not have an employment position identified as OSH Manager.
(g) Not applicable
(h) Redlion Bus and Coach do not have an employment position identified as OSH Manager.
(i) Redlion Bus and Coach do not have an employment position identified as OSH Manager. The Operations Manager has reinforced the use of driver pre-start checklists and has conducted training related to checking tyres for wear.
(j) Yes. The PTA will require evidence that bus pre-start checks are being carried out and that issues identified are being rectified in a timely manner.
(a) Unknown. It is acknowledged that the photograph depicts a tyre in an unserviceable condition, however in addition to fitting tyres to the Redlion Bus and Coach fleet, Redlion Bus and Coach also undertakes maintenance and tyre fitting for other companies as permitted under their mechanical workshop licence. Therefore the Public Transport Authority (PTA) cannot determine where the tyre was previously fitted.
(b) Unknown, the PTA does not attend or instigate internal contractor meetings.
(c) Not applicable
(d) Yes, if this tyre was in fact from a bus operating a service contracted by the PTA.
(e) Regional Town Bus Services Contract No 10/04 Clause 7.4(a) which requires compliance with the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002 Reg 48 (2). There is no penalty provision attached to this clause.
(f) Redlion Bus and Coach do not have an employment position identified as OSH Manager.
(g) Not applicable
(h) Redlion Bus and Coach do not have an employment position identified as OSH Manager.
(i) Redlion Bus and Coach do not have an employment position identified as OSH Manager. The Operations Manager has reinforced the use of driver pre-start checklists and has conducted training related to checking tyres for wear.
(j) Yes. The PTA will require evidence that bus pre-start checks are being carried out and that issues identified are being rectified in a timely manner.
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