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 Access defined worksite 

1.1 Authority to enter the defined worksite is confirmed with protection officer

1.2 Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is used conforming to Access Provider requirements

1.3 Limits of the defined worksite and type of track protection provided are identified and confirmed

1.4 Communication with protection officer is maintained in accordance with the workplace procedures

2 Run track vehicle within defined worksite 

2.1 Permission for all rail movements within the worksite is obtained from the protection officer

2.2 Speed limit is observed for type or classification of track vehicle and type of track

2.3 Speed limit is varied to meet local conditions

2.4 Track vehicle is managed so as to be able to stop short of any workers or obstruction on track

2.5 Unsafe situations and/or emergencies are identified, and appropriate action is taken in accordance with workplace procedures

3 Exit defined worksite 

3.1 Protection officer is notified when clear of the defined worksite

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

• Operational communication protocols and systems

• Points and signals recognition

• Rail terminology as defined by the applicable Access Provider

• Types of track protection

Required skills: 

• Communicate effectively with individuals and work groups

• Follow workplace policies, procedures and protocols

• Identify changed conditions

• Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

• Use required PPE 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 how to safely access defined worksite
• explaining how to safely egress defined worksite
• identifying changed conditions
• observing speed limit appropriate for type of vehicle, type of track and local conditions
• explaining appropriate response to identified unsafe situations and/or emergencies

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
• 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

Situational safety assessment will be:

• as defined within the 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

Safety clothing and equipment may include:

• high visibility clothing
• protective footwear
• hearing protection

Where applicable, worksite protection equipment may include:

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

Information and documents may include:

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

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)

Defined worksite may be an area protected by:

• track occupancy authority (TOA) and local possession track occupancy authority (TOA)
• track work authority (TWA)
• local possession authority (LPA)

Type of vehicle may include:

• road/rail
• track vehicles

Varied local conditions may include:

• gradients
• line of sight
• weather
• condition of rail
• multiple rail crews
• multiple vehicles