Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1 Enter Work on Track Authority limits  

1.1 Protection Officers (PO)/Possession Protection Officers (PPO) are informed that rail traffic has arrived at the Work on Track Authority limits and confirmation that it is safe to enter is sought and obtained

1.2 Permission to enter Work on Track Authority limits is documented in accordance with access provider and/or organisational requirements

1.3 Authority to enter track protection is provided to rail traffic driver

1.4 Rail traffic is piloted into the Work on Track Authority limit

1.5 Advice regarding any operating restrictions and conditions is given to rail traffic crew

2 Exit Work on Track Authority limits  

2.1 Rail traffic is piloted to limit of the Work on Track Authority limits

2.2 Permission is obtained from network control officer for rail traffic to exit the Work on Track Authority limits

This section describes the knowledge and skills required for this unit.

Required knowledge: 

• Access Provider and organisational policies, procedures and protocols

• Access Provider policies, procedures and protocols for identified unsafe situations or emergencies within workplace role

• Access Provider rules and procedures for working around electrical infrastructure

• Audible warning equipment, use and when applicable

• Rail terminology as defined by the applicable access provider

• Operational communication protocols and systems

• Worksite protection plan

Required skills: 

• Apply procedures for the use of railway track signals, when applicable

• Communicate effectively with individuals and work groups

• Follow workplace policies, procedures and protocols

• Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

• Use required personal protective equipment conforming to Access Provider requirements

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

• The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

• the required knowledge and skills
• relevant workplace rules and procedures

• Assessment must include exercises which demonstrate competent performance of the following in a range of situations:

• explaining procedures for granting permission for rail traffic to enter Work on Track Authority limit
• piloting rail traffic within the Work on Track Authority limit

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• Assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Worksites may include:

• rail corridor
• danger zone:

• running line
• parallel networks (adjacent access providers, shared corridor)
• adjacent lines
• sidings/yards

• platforms/buildings
• structures

Terminology used will be:

• as defined by the Access Provider

Work may occur:

• under varied visibility conditions

Safety assessment will be:

• as defined within workplace procedures
• as defined in the safety assessment work including:

• view - line of sight
• direction of approaching rail traffic
• speed of approaching rail traffic
• position of safety
• changed local conditions

Communications may include:

• receiving and passing on verbal messages/information
• reporting unsafe situations and responding to emergencies
• general safety and emergency messages

Communications equipment and systems may include:

• hand and audible signals
• two-way radio
• telephone/mobile phone
• signage

Communication protocols may include:

• general safety
• transmitting and receiving messages:

• identification
• standard radio terms
• phonetic alphabet
• testing communications equipment

• emergency messages

Network control officer may be:

• network controller
• train controller
• area controller
• signaller

Safety clothing and equipment may include:

• high visibility clothing
• protective footwear
• hearing protection

Where applicable, worksite protection equipment may include:

• warning devices, whistles and sirens
• railway track signals
• demarcation barriers
• lights and flags
• electronic devices
• signage

Information and documents may include:

• workplace procedures, policies and work instructions
• emergency plan
• pre-work briefing
• worksite protection plan

Unsafe situations may include:

• risks to the individual
• risks to the public
• risks to rail traffic
• risks to the physical assets of the network

Worksite protection plan may include:

• defining the limits of the worksite
• identifying safe places
• identifying positions for inner/outer handsignaller identifying positions for lookouts
• identifying level and pedestrian crossings
• identifying fixed rail infrastructure including:

• signals
• overhead structures
• bridges/tunnels
• turn outs

• minimum sighting distances
• parallel lines

Piloting may include:

• verbal instructions to rail traffic crew
• verbal communication with PO/PPO