Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to escort rail traffic to worksites within occupancy/possession limits and to maintain protection for the infrastructure and work groups on a rail network during rail work activities, in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements. It includes following policies, procedures and protocols of the access provider. Licensing or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

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

It involves the application of access provider's policies, procedures and protocols related to applying rail safety requirements to work activities.

Work is performed under instruction using established procedures, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes within the limits of responsibility of the worker concerned.

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 occupancy /possession limits 

1.1 Work group supervisors are informed that rail traffic has arrived at limits of possession, and confirmation that it is safe to enter is sought and obtained

1.2 Permission to enter occupancy/possession limits is documented in accordance with access provider's and/or organisational requirements

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

1.4 Rail traffic is escorted into occupancy/possession limit

1.5 Procedures for the passing of fixed signals within the occupancy/possession limit are followed

2 Exit occupancy /possession limits 

2.1 Rail traffic is escorted to limit of occupancy/possession

2.2 Permission is obtained from network control officer for rail traffic to exit occupancy/possession limit

2.3 Authority to exit occupancy/possession limit is provided to rail traffic driver

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

• Access provider's and organisational policies, procedures and protocols

• Rail terminology as defined by the applicable access provider

• Access provider's policies, procedures and protocols in the event of identified unsafe situations or emergencies within workplace role

• Types of fixed signals and procedures for passing them

• Audible warning equipment and their use, if applicable

• Site safety plans

• Operational communication protocols and systems

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with individuals and work groups

• Follow workplace policies, procedures and protocols

• Conduct a situational awareness assessment

• Use required personal protective equipment conforming to organisational standards

• Apply procedures for the use of audible track warners, if applicable

• Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

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
• the time frames typically expected for the work function and industrial environment

• Compliance with site safety plans, OH&S regulations and other regulatory requirements
• 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 occupancy/possession limit
• identifying all fixed signal types and correct procedures to pass them
• escorting rail traffic within occupancy/possession limit
• explaining procedures for authorising rail traffic to exit occupancy/possession 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 this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• 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

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.

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 applicable track safeworking system and operating procedures

Work may occur:

• under varied visibility conditions

Situational awareness will be:

• as defined within the workplace procedures
• as defined in the risk assessment for situational awareness including:

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

Communications may include:

• receive and pass on verbal messages/information
• report unsafe situations and respond 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
• audible track warning devices
• demarcation barriers
• lights and flags
• electronic devices
• signage

Information and documents may include:

• workplace procedures, policies and work instructions
• worksite safety plan
• 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

Audible track warning devices may be known as:

• railway track signals
• detonators

Audible warning equipment may include:

• horn
• whistle

Site safety plans may include:

• defining the boundaries
• identifying positions of safety
• 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
• parallel lines

Escorting may include:

• verbal instructions to rail traffic driver
• verbal communication with work group supervisors

Competency Field 

C - Vehicle Operation