ABSTRACT
The immediate causes of the Waterfall train accident and contributing factors are presented in another chapter from the authors in this book. Here we focus on the lessons learnt and implications of the accident. The Special Commission of Inquiry and the previous inquiry into the Glenbrook accident, also in New South Wales, made numerous recommendations regarding all levels of rail operations (McInerney, 2001; 2005). The accident revealed that the combination of medical standards, training, design, train and driver safety systems, and safety management systems were inadequate to control the risks inherent in rail operation.
