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 Undertake track assessment 

1.1 Track work activity to be performed and its complexity is identified

1.2 Impact of the work activity on the network is determined

1.3 Track protection requirements are analysed and identified

1.4 Visual assessment is conducted to assess the characteristics of the track worksite

2 Determine the type of track protection required to perform work activity safely 

2.1 Outcomes of the visual assessment and the complexity of the track work activity are analysed to determine the type of track protection required

2.2 Worksite protection plan is prepared in accordance with the outcomes of the safety assessment and Access Provider rules, procedures and protocols for rail safety

2.3 Plan is communicated to relevant personnel

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

Required knowledge: 

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

• Access Provider rules and procedures

• Access Provider rules and procedures for working around electrical infrastructure

• Characteristics of track worksites

• Operational communication protocols and systems

• Positioning requirements for handsignallers

• Rail terminology as defined by the applicable Access Provider

• Railway track signals and their use, if applicable

• Types of track protection

• Types of worksite protection equipment and their use

• Work activity complexity

• Worksite protection plans

Required skills: 

• Analyse track work activities for complexity

• Communicate effectively with individuals and work groups

• Follow rules and procedures

• Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

• Prepare site protection arrangements plans

• Use required personal protective equipment conforming to Access Provider requirements

• Visually assess a track worksite

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:

• identifying complexity of track work activity
• conducting a visual assessment of the characteristics of track worksite
• determining type of track protection required
• preparing worksite protection plan

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 will be:

• as defined by Access Provider

Work may occur:

• by day or night, under varied weather conditions and situations

Safety assessment will be:

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

• view - line of sight
• direction of approaching trains
• speed of approaching trains
• 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 signals and audible commands
• audible warning signal
• two way radio
• telephone/mobile phone
• signage

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
• signs
• railway track signals
• demarcation barriers
• lights and flags
• electronic devices

Information and documents may include:

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

Complexity of work activity may include:

• type of work to be undertaken
• hand tools to be used
• track vehicles/track machines
• machinery
• number of work groups
• rail traffic within or between worksite/s

Characteristics of track worksite may include:

• location
• cuttings and embankments
• speed and density of adjacent traffic
• parallel networks
• electrified network
• track circuits
• level and pedestrian crossings
• limits of worksite
• visibility
• how the work may affect track under the control of other access providers
• multiple work activities

Types of track protection may include:

• lookout
• track occupancy authority (TOA)
• track work authority (TWA)
• local possession authority (LPA)
• absolute signal blocking (ASB)
• electronic authority system blocking (EASB)

Worksite protection plan may include:

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

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

• minimum sighting distances