Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to safely enter and navigate around the rail corridor and danger zone with the permission of the access provider, in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements. It includes following policies, procedures and protocols of the access provider for situational awareness and rail safety. Licensing or certification requirements are not 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 the applicable state or territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines.

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

All activities are performed under established procedures, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes within the limits of responsibility of the person concerned.

This unit applies to all persons accessing the rail corridor and who may need to enter the danger zone.

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 Take appropriate safety precautions to access the rail corridor 

1.1 Authority to enter the rail corridor is confirmed

1.2 Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn consistent with role in accessing the rail system

1.3 A visual assessment is conducted to determine if the rail corridor can be accessed clear of the danger zone

1.4 The rail corridor is entered and a visual assessment is maintained to identify potential risks

2 Take appropriate safety precautions to access the danger zone 

2.1 A line of sight is established

2.2 Direction of approaching trains and maximum speed is recognised

2.3 A safe place is identified

2.4 Types of warning provided are recognised and understood

2.5 A situational awareness is maintained to identify changed local conditions

2.6 Communications with other personnel are maintained in accordance with workplace procedures

2.7 Unsafe situations and/or emergencies are identified, and appropriate action is taken 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 :

• Extent of rail corridor

• Access provider's defined entry requirements and limitations

• Access provider's policies, procedures and protocols

• Basic rail terminology as defined by the applicable network

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

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with individuals and/or groups

• Follow workplace policies, procedures and protocols

• Recognise hazards that may arise and take appropriate action

• Conduct a situational awareness assessment

• Use personal protective equipment conforming to required 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
• the timeframes 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:

• safely accessing the rail corridor
• recognising the danger zone
• identifying position of safety/safe place
• maintaining a situational awareness to identify potential risks
• identifying unsafe situations within the rail system

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 rail corridor

• 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 a rail corridor

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.

Rail corridor may include:

• danger zone
• main line
• adjacent networks
• adjacent lines
• sidings/yards
• platforms/buildings
• structures
• safe place

Access provider may also be known as:

• network owner

Terminology may be as defined by:

• national rail body
• access provider

Access may occur:

• by day or night
• under varied weather conditions and situations

Situational awareness will be:

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

• view - line of sight
• direction of approaching trains
• maximum speed of trains
• safe place
• changed local conditions

Communications may include:

• give or receive verbal messages/information
• report unsafe situations
• respond to emergencies
• emergency messages
• general safety messages

Communications equipment and systems may include:

• hand signals
• audible signals

Safety clothing and equipment may include:

• high visibility clothing
• protective footwear
• hearing protection
• eye protection
• gloves
• head protection

Information and documents may include:

• workplace procedures, policies and work instructions
• site safety plan
• emergency plan
• safety briefing
• emergency contact details
• access contact details

Unsafe situations may include:

• risks to the individual
• risks to the public
• risks to the rail traffic
• risks to the physical assets of the network

Competency Field 

F - Safety Management