Rail Safety National Law (Queensland) Regulation 2017

Rail Safety National Law (Queensland) Regulation 2017

What is this?

This is a detailed set of rules that supports Queensland's rail safety law. It covers two main areas: drug and alcohol testing of rail workers, and fees charged to large train operators to fund rail safety investigations.

Who does it affect?

Rail safety workers (think train drivers, signallers, and others whose jobs directly affect train safety) — they can be tested for alcohol and drugs while on the job.

Large rolling stock operators (companies that run trains) — specifically those whose trains travel more than 1.5 million kilometres within Queensland per year. These operators must pay an annual fee to fund rail safety investigations.

Drug & Alcohol Testing — What You Need to Know

• Rail workers can be directed by an authorised officer to provide breath or saliva samples for drug and alcohol testing.
• Breath tests must use devices that meet the Australian Standard AS 3547.
• If a blood sample is taken, a health professional must follow strict procedures — using the right vein, not using alcohol-based cleaning products, labelling the sample correctly, and signing a certificate documenting everything.
• Workers are entitled to a duplicate (copy) blood sample they can keep.