Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to apply a basic awareness of applicable safeworking rules and regulations to work functions in the rail industry. It includes interpreting and applying the applicable safeworking rules and protocols; recognising and reporting unsafe situations; following safeworking instructions and procedures; and taking appropriate safety precautions. 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 established procedures, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes within the limits of responsibility of the worker concerned.

It involves the application of a basic awareness of applicable legislated rail safety requirements to the work activities of the rail occupation 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 Interpret applicable safeworking rules and regulations 

1.1 Relevant procedures for the applicable safeworking rules and regulations are identified, accessed and interpreted when carrying out basic work activities as part of rail operation

2 Apply a basic awareness of applicable safeworking rules and regulations 

2.1 A basic awareness of relevant safeworking regulations is applied to all work activities applicable to the rail functions concerned

2.2 Communications are conducted in accordance with the applicable safeworking system requirements

2.3 Appropriate records of communications are maintained as required within the applicable safeworking system rules and regulations

3 Recognise and report unsafe situations 

3.1 Unsafe situations are identified consistent with a basic awareness of the applicable safeworking rules and regulations

3.2 Situations in the work environment identified as unsafe are reported to appropriate personnel as per the applicable safeworking rules and regulations

4 Follow safeworking instructions and procedures 

4.1 Where applicable, relevant protocols are followed as specified in the applicable safeworking system rules and regulations

4.2 Appropriate records and documentation pertinent to safeworking protocols are completed in accordance with the requirements of the applicable safeworking system rules and regulations

5 Take appropriate safety precautions 

5.1 Appropriate safety precautions are interpreted and followed during work activities as per the applicable safeworking rules and regulations

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

• A basic awareness of 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 protection legislation and policies

• A basic understanding of systems and occupancy authorities

• An overview of system requirements

• A basic understanding of safeworking system types

• A basic awareness of system limitations

• A basic understanding of the applicable safeworking system

• An understanding of route integrity requirements including: general requirements, position of points and route occupancy requirements

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

• Safeworking rules and protocols as they relate to the functions of the occupation concerned

• Rail terminology as defined in the applicable safeworking system

• Action to be taken in the event of identified unsafe situations and emergencies within the limits of responsibility the occupation concerned

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others applicable to the rail operations concerned

• Read and interpret relevant rules, regulations and instructions applicable to the rail operations concerned

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to safeworking requirements applicable to the rail functions concerned

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others to fulfil safeworking requirements applicable to the rail operations concerned

• Implement contingency plans for unplanned events

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

• Recognise problems and hazards that may arise during rail operations and take appropriate action

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

• Adapt to differences in equipment and procedures

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

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:

• basic rail operations carried out on the rail network concerned and covered by 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

Terminology and related meanings will be:

• as defined within the applicable safeworking system

Work may occur:

• by day or night, in both normal and emergency situations and under any conditions of weather

Where applicable, work site safety plans will be:

• as defined within the applicable safeworking system

Occupancy authorities will be:

• as defined within the applicable safeworking system

Rules related to the use and operation of track vehicles and equipment will be:

• as defined within applicable safeworking system

Communication protocols will be as specified within applicable safeworking system and may include:

• general safety
• emergency messages
• testing communications equipment
• transmitting and receiving messages
• identification
• standard radio terms
• phonetic alphabet
• spoken figures

Communications equipment may include:

• hand-held or portable equipment
• fixed equipment
• specialised testing facilities

Track work protocols will be:

• as defined within the applicable safeworking system

Safety clothing and equipment may include:

• 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

Where applicable, worksite protection equipment may include:

• joint occupancy rules
• blocking facilities (manual and electronic)
• trackside signs
• audible warning signs
• warning devices, whistles and sirens
• partitioning materials and structures
• barriers, lights and flags
• fixed and mobile communications equipment

Information and documents 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
• instructions of relevant rail authorities concerning rail safety and operations
• workplace procedures, policies and work instructions
• relevant occupancy authorities (where applicable)
• train authorities (where applicable)
• worksite safety plan (where applicable)
• Emergency Response Plan (ER Plan) and emergency procedure manuals
• train running information (TRI)
• train notices
• train register books
• failure reports
• local instructions
• operating and maintenance instructions of relevant equipment manufacturers
• voice communications log
• safeworking forms

Applicable legislation, regulations and codes 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 AS 4292
• 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 

F - Safety Management