This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate road/rail vehicles on track in accordance with safeworking and regulatory requirements, and workplace procedures.

It includes performing pre-operational and post-operational checks, on tracking and off tracking vehicles, operating equipment, and completing required documentation. It encompasses the operation of all road/rail on-track vehicles.

People achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable state/territory legislated rail safety and safeworking requirements and to comply with relevant codes of practice and/or guidelines.

Operators of road/rail vehicles may need to have applicable road and/or high risk licence or certification requirements for the type of vehicle being used.

It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures when operating road/rail vehicles as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts.

A road vehicle fitted with retractable rail guidance wheels (also known as a hi-rail vehicle) and may also involve:

• weed sprayer
• light–medium rigid vehicles
• excavators
• pettibone
• tractors
• four-wheel drives.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENT S 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 

Perform pre-operational equipment checks 

1.1

Pre-operational equipment checks are conducted in accordance with manufacturer specifications or local maintenance schedules and operational procedures

1.2

Logbooks are checked and accurately completed as required

1.3

Deficiencies with equipment are identified and rectified in accordance with workplace procedures

1.4

Relevant people are notified of problems and/or documentation is completed

2 

On track and operate road/rail vehicle 

2.1

On-tracking location is identified and appropriate on-track permission/authority is obtained

2.2

Vehicle is placed on track and set up to operate in accordance with manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements

2.3

Vehicle is operated in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with relevant codes of practice, safeworking systems, and manufacturer and local working instructions

2.4

Vehicle is operated in accordance with prevailing operating conditions to ensure safe working and to minimise/eliminate potential hazards or accidents

2.5

Warning systems are monitored and responded to appropriately during operation to maintain correct functionality of vehicle

3 

Off track road/rail vehicle 

3.1

Off-track location is identified and appropriate permissions to off track vehicle are obtained as required

3.2

Front/rear rail wheels are retracted in accordance with manufacturer specifications

3.3

Vehicle is driven not less than three metres from running rails, and safety locks are applied to rail wheels

3.4

Vehicle is confirmed with Network Control Officer as being clear of all running lines

4 

Perform post-operational equipment procedures 

4.1

Vehicle is left stored in appropriate manner and location to ensure security and protection of equipment

4.2

Post-operational vehicle checks are conducted in accordance with manufacturer specifications or local maintenance schedules to identify defects and maintenance requirements

4.3

Deficiencies with equipment are identified and rectified in an appropriate manner to maintain equipment in correct functionality

4.4

Relevant people are notified of problems and/or documentation is completed in accordance with instructions and relevant codes of practice

4.5

Required documentation is completed in a timely, accurate and complete manner in accordance with workplace procedures

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

• accessing and interpreting train movement information
• applying relevant safeworking and workplace procedures
• communicating effectively with relevant personnel
• completing relevant documentation
• identifying job hazards and taking required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards
• identifying, selecting and using tools and equipment
• implementing contingency plans
• interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work
• modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments
• monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule
• obtaining appropriate on-track permission/authorities
• on railing and off railing vehicles in accordance with workplace procedures
• operating and adapting to differences in equipment in accordance with operating procedures
• operating road/rail vehicles for which certificated, licensed or approved
• operating road/rail vehicles on rail in accordance with Rail Infrastructure Manager operational procedures
• performing pre- and post-operational checks in accordance with workplace procedures
• planning and organising work
• reading and interpreting relevant instructions, procedures, information and signs
• reporting and/or rectifying identified problems, faults or malfunctions promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures
• selecting and using required personal protective equipment
• working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

• defects that can occur on road/rail vehicles and related action that should be taken
• emergency management plan/procedures
• hazards that may exist when operating road/rail vehicles, and ways of controlling the risks involved
• manufacturer specifications and road/rail vehicle operational requirements
• problems that may occur when on tracking and off tracking road/rail vehicles, and action that can be taken to report or resolve these problems in accordance with workplace procedures
• problems that may occur when operating road/rail vehicles, and action that can be taken to report or resolve these problems in accordance with workplace procedures
• relevant rail danger zones
• relevant safety, work health safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental procedures and regulations
• relevant sections of applicable state/territory legislated rail safety requirements, relevant codes of practice and/or guidelines
• technical specifications and manuals
• track structure and geometry
• types of road/rail vehicles and their applications
• workplace procedures for operating road/rail vehicles.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations or, where this is not available, in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate rail corridor workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations
• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, rail industry standards, codes of practice and operation manuals.