Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

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 the equipment, and completing required documentation. It encompasses the operation of all road/rail on-track vehicles. Licensing or certification requirements may be applicable to this unit. Operators of road/rail vehicles may need to have fulfilled licence or certification requirements for the type of vehicle being used.

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 applicable state and/or territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines.

Work is performed under limited supervision, generally within a team environment. It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures to the operation of road/rail vehicles as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts.

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 Perform pre-operational equipment checks 

1.1 Basic pre-operational equipment checks are conducted as per manufacturers specifications or local maintenance schedules

1.2 Log books are checked and completed accurately as required

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

1.4 Relevant persons are notified of problems and/or documentation 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 manufacturers specifications and organisational requirements

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

2.4 Vehicle is operated with due regard for prevailing operating conditions to ensure safe working and 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, if required, appropriate permissions to off track vehicle is obtained

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

3.3 Vehicle is driven not less than 3 metres from running rails, and safety locks to rail wheels are applied

3.4 That vehicle is clear of all running lines is confirmed with train control/network

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 as per manufacturers 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 of equipment

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

5 Complete documentation 

5.1 Log books are checked and completed accurately

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

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

• Relevant safety, OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

• Workplace procedures for the operation of road/rail vehicles

• Problems that may occur during the on tracking and off tracking of road/rail vehicles, and action that can be taken to report or resolve the problems

• Problems that may occur during the operation of road/rail vehicles, and action that can be taken to report or resolve the problems

• Hazards that may exist when operating road/rail vehicles, and ways of controlling the risks involved

• Types of road/rail vehicles and their applications

• Road rules for road/rail vehicle management and use

• Technical specifications and manuals

• Track structure and geometry

• Defects that can occur on road/rail vehicles and related action that should be taken

• Emergency procedures

• Local authority procedures

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when operating road/rail vehicles

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the operation of road/rail vehicles

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to work activities

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when operating road/rail vehicles

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions when operating road/rail vehicles in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Plan and organise work

• Implement contingency plans for unexpected events when operating road/rail vehicles

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

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

• Apply fatigue management strategies

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

• Operate and adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

• Select and use required personal protective equipment

• Identify, select and use tools and equipment

• Access and interpret train movement information

• Operate road/rail vehicles (for which certificated, licensed or approved)

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

• Assessment must include exercises which demonstrate competent performance of the following in a range of situations:

• performing pre- and post-operational checks
• on railing and off railing vehicles correctly
• operating road/rail vehicles on-rail
• communicating effectively with relevant personnel whilst operating road/rail vehicle

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 appropriate activities in a 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.

Operations may be conducted:

• by day or night
• in all weather conditions

Road/rail vehicles may include but are not limited to:

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

Suitable on-track and off-track locations include:

• public level crossings
• stations and yards
• private and occupational crossings

Liaison may include:

• internal or external personnel from other work areas

Communication equipment may include:

• two-way radios, and/or
• telephones/mobile phones/satellite phones
• flags
• signals
• air horn

Information may be provided:

• electronically
• in writing, via forms/documents
• orally, via face-to-face communications

Safety and protective equipment may include:

• high visibility clothing
• hearing protection
• gloves
• sunscreen
• sunglasses
• safety glasses
• insect repellent
• safety headwear
• safety footwear
• portable radios
• hand lamps
• flags
• safety devices
• detonators (audible warning devices)
• personal locator beacon (PLB)

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

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

Information/documents may include:

• operational instructions, policies and workplace procedures
• relevant log or record book
• maintenance notices, records and requests
• local authority regulations and procedures
• technical instructions
• manufacturers or workplace equipment operation manuals
• emergency procedure manuals
• two-way radio operation procedures
• emergency procedures manual
• QA plans, data and document control
• conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards

Applicable regulations, legislation and codes may include:

• legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each applicable state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines
• relevant Australian Standards and related requirements
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

Competency Field 

C - Vehicle Operation