Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate under local track protection rules in accordance with safeworking and regulatory requirements and workplace procedures, including accessing and interpreting information about track protection requirements, carrying out assigned protection and/or work activities, and responding appropriately to safety incidents and abnormal situations within the limits of personal responsibility. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Persons achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines.

Work is performed under some supervision, generally within a team environment.

It involves the application of the relevant track protection rules and requirements to assigned track work activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Access and interpret information about track protection requirements 

1.1 Information about track protection requirements relevant to work activities is sought and obtained/received in accordance with workplace procedures and the requirements of the relevant safeworking system

1.2 Information about relevant track protection requirements is interpreted and applied to work activities in accordance with workplace instructions

2 Carry out assigned protection and /or work activities 

2.1 Assigned protection and/or work activities are carried out together with others in accordance with workplace instructions and safeworking procedures

2.2 Protection system and equipment is constantly reviewed in accordance with workplace procedures to ensure ongoing protection

2.3 Liaison is maintained with relevant authority/personnel to ensure maximum protection is maintained

2.4 Documentation and records required under safeworking rules are completed in accordance with workplace procedures

3 Respond appropriately to abnormal situations 

3.1 Abnormal situations, safety incidents and emergencies are identified in accordance with workplace procedures and safeworking regulations

3.2 Identified abnormal situations, safety incidents and emergencies are promptly reported to relevant personnel and action is taken within limits of responsibility in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3 Reports and records of identified abnormal situations, safety incidents and emergencies together with related action taken are completed in accordance with workplace procedures and safeworking rules

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge :

• Applicable legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines

• Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

• A general understanding of systems and track protection rules and requirements

• An overview of railway safeworking system requirements

• An understanding of railway safeworking system types

• An awareness of railway safeworking system limitations

• Communication protocols as they relate to the functions of the occupation concerned

• Safeworking rules and protocols as they relate to the work activities concerned

• Rail terminology as defined in the applicable state/territory safeworking system

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when operating under track protection rules

• Read and interpret relevant rules, regulations and instructions when operating under track protection rules

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work when operating under track protection rules

• Complete documentation applicable when operating under track protection rules

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when operating under track protection rules

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may occur when operating under track protection rules in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to equipment

• Select and use required personal protective equipment

• Select and use relevant equipment and tools

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 underpinning knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement

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, case studies 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 this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

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

RANGE STATEMENT 

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

Work may include:

• track work carried out in the state/territory concerned and covered by the safeworking system applicable in that state or territory. Work carried out on the Defined Interstate Rail Network is covered by separate competency units and relates to the Code of Practice for the Defined Interstate Rail Network

Operations may be conducted:

• by day or night
• in both normal and emergency situations
• under all possible weather conditions

Work may be conducted in:

• restricted spaces
• exposed conditions
• controlled or open environments

Work may involve:

• exposure to chemicals, and dangerous or hazardous substances
• movements of equipment, goods and vehicles

Terminology and related meanings will be:

• as defined within the relevant state/territory safeworking system

Track protection rules will be:

• as defined within relevant the state/territory safeworking system

Where applicable, work site safety plans will be:

• as defined within the relevant state/territory safeworking system

Equipment may include:

• flags
• detonators
• stands
• stop signs
• speed boards
• whistles
• lamps

Communications equipment may include but is not limited to:

• hand-held or portable equipment
• fixed equipment
• portable equipment belt and harness
• specialised testing facilities

Radio, hand, light and flag commands will be:

• as defined within the relevant state/territory safeworking system

Safety clothing and equipment may include but is not limited to:

• high visibility clothing
• sunscreen and sunglasses
• insect repellent
• safety glasses, headwear, mask, footwear and gloves
• hearing protection
• safety devices
• lighting including strobe lighting
• hand tools

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established procedures

Depending on the workplace context concerned, documentation/records may include but are not limited to:

• the relevant rules and regulations of the applicable state/territory safeworking system
• instructions of relevant rail authorities concerning rail safety and operations
• workplace procedures, policies and work instructions
• work orders
• technical instructions
• worksite safety plan (where applicable)
• Emergency Response Plan (ER Plan) and emergency procedure manuals
• train running information (TRI)
• local instructions
• safeworking forms
• manufacturers or workplace equipment instructions and operation manuals
• two-way radio operation procedures
• QA plans, data and document control
• conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• applicable legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines
• relevant Australian Standards and related requirements including AS4292
• relevant state/territory OH&S regulations
• state, federal or territory environmental protection legislation
• conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements, including workplace agreements and awards
• relevant national and state/territory dangerous goods legislation

Competency Field 

W - Equipment and Systems Operations