LOSING TRACK
Leaked QR document reveals disgraced former Far North driver-in-charge was told to improve performance on reporting processes
A FAILURE by Queensland Rail to keep track of nearmisses at dangerous level crossings comes as the Cairns Post can reveal the Far North’s disgraced former driver-in-charge Graham Parsons (left) was cautioned for encouraging unsafe work practices.
Yesterday another car crashed into the Kuranda train (above), the second in a month at the same crossing.
QUEENSLAND Rail has failed to keep proper data on the region’s most dangerous level crossings and cautioned its former drug-dealing Far North boss for bullying, misusing resources and encouraging unsafe work practices.
Graham Parsons was QR’s regional driver-in-charge for about two decades until last year, when he was stood down and handed a four-year prison sentence for drug trafficking.
A leaked QR document has now revealed the governmentowned railway operator QR knew about Parsons’ unsafe practices as far back as 2011.
THE DENIAL
The Cairns Post has twice questioned QR about reports staff were ordered not to log near-misses on level crossings during Mr Parsons’ tenure.
In response to written questions on January 25, QR chief executive officer Nick Easy said: “Queensland Rail is not aware of any issues regarding near-miss reporting in Far North Queensland.”
A response a day earlier ignored the question, saying “the employee referred to no longer works for Queensland Rail”.
THE DOCUMENT
A leaked “performance improvement plan” for Mr Parsons from June 2012 flies in the face of those claims.
It shows QR was aware of Parsons’ unacceptable performance regarding safety, bullying and misusing resources including vehicles, salaries, uniform budget and refreshments.
It states Mr Parsons created a hostile work environment, failed to comply with QR’s procedure relating to the disposal of three Kawasaki Mule utility vehicles, and forwarded confidential information to external parties.
“From about 2011 to present, you have engaged in, required or encouraged employees to engage in unsafe work practices,” it continues.
“Your substantiated conduct is unacceptable in your leadership role as driver-incharge. In particular, your conduct demonstrates a lack of respect towards your colleagues, disregard for following policies, standards and procedures, (and) failure in your responsibilities to maintain a safe workplace.”
According to the document, Parsons denied the claims but was given a nine-point action plan to improve his behaviour.
He was ordered to follow correct reporting processes and ensure employees did the same, and to attend fortnightly reviews.
THE DRUGS
A staff member who worked closely with Parsons said his bullyboy tactics and cornercutting were well known within the organisation.
“He told drivers, don’t put the report in, let those c***s in Brisbane do it. You’re just making more work for me,” he said.
The rail worker, who feared dismissal if identified, said Parsons was known to keep large amounts of illicit drugs with him at work.
“No one wants to say anything because they want their jobs,” he said.
“He had a desk there, it had two big long drawers in it.
“He used to keep the drugs right down the end of those drawers.
“It’s an old wooden desk, I’ve seen it, and the drawers are probably four-foot long.”
Parsons was fined $2500 in 2010 after being busted with 2.3kg of marijuana, but QR allowed him to keep his job and salary of more than $100,000.
He was given a four-year jail sentence in July last year after police raided his Bungalow “safe house” and found 16.7kg of cannabis, quantities of
methylamphetamine, MDMA and other illicit substances, and $50,000 cash.
He will be eligible for parole in July after a year behind bars.
THE DEFENCE
Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy said the organisation would not comment on indi- vidual performance matters of past or present employees.
“Queensland Rail takes a comprehensive approach to safety management and uses near-miss data from various sources, including the Queensland Police Service, members of the public, station staff and reports directly between train crew and the relevant network control centre,” he said.
THE DENUNCIATION
Division 5 Cairns Regional Councillor Richie Bates, a former Rail, Tram and Bus Union representative, said QR could not be confident its safety measures were adequate if near-misses went unrecorded.
“QR need to ensure their house is in order with regard to safety and compliance,” he said.
“They need to carefully examine their culture of supervision, employee welfare and reporting so any intrinsic system flaws can be eradicated.”