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 Establish rail regulatory requirements  

1.1 Legislation applicable to organisational railway operations is established

1.2 Issues relating to rail safety regulation are determined in accordance with legislation and their impact on railway operations and management, rail safety and systems interfaces are identified

2 Maintain currency in regulatory requirements 

2.1 Changes in safety regulation are monitored and their implications for rail industry operations and technology are identified

2.2 Changes in rail safety regulatory requirements are monitored and available information, training and awareness sessions are accessed to maintain knowledge and skill base

2.3 Regular contact and information exchange with appropriate personnel within the railway organisation are undertaken to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements

3 Apply knowledge of rail regulatory requirements 

3.1 Rail safety operating principles are identified and confirmed

3.2 Applicable current national and international standards, codes and local rules are identified and their relevance to rail safety regulation is confirmed

3.3 Accreditation requirements and/or conditions applicable to organisational railway operations are identified

3.4 Requirements of rail industry standards applicable to organisational railway operations are identified in the context of safety management systems and risk management

3.5 Implications of using particular rail industry standards for rail safety compliance are explained as required, in accordance with organisational needs

4 Identify principles underpinning rail safety regulation 

4.1 Role, function and purpose of co-regulation in the rail industry are identified and explained

4.2 Role, function and purpose of an organisational safety management system and accreditation in the context of legislation and guidelines are identified

4.3 Functions and obligations of duty holders and their general duties in the context of rail safety legislation are identified

5 Establish and maintain rail regulatory relationships 

5.1 Appropriate regulatory channels are identified and lines of communications are established and maintained

5.2 Interests and requirements of the organisation are represented and promoted

5.3 Feedback is exchanged and used to improve regulatory outcomes

This section describes the knowledge and skills required for this unit.

Required knowledge: 

• Changes in rail industry operations and technology with implications for rail safety regulation

• Duty holders and their duties under rail safety legislation

• Key concepts and definitions relating to rail safety regulation

• Key principles and practices associated with railway operations

• Key regulatory and standards participants in the rail industry

• Rail industry and rail industry terminology, including terminology used in technical standards

• Rail regulatory framework

• Rail safety management systems

• Relevance of national and international standards to the rail industry

Required skills: 

• Access and use rail safety industry standards

• Communicate with others, involving the interpretation of complex information relating to rail safety regulation

• Develop and maintain currency of rail industry knowledge and regulatory requirements

• Network and build relationships with a diverse range of rail industry organisations

• Research information related to the rail industry and rail safety regulation

• Review changing regulatory information

• Work ethically and in accordance with legislation

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 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:

• identifying regulatory requirements
• identifying key stakeholders
• establishing relationships with key stakeholders

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 

• 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

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Systems interfaces may include:

• design
• construction and/or manufacturing
• testing and commissioning
• operation
• maintenance
• decommissioning

Information may include:

• rail regulatory requirements
• changes to regulations
• safety notices
• audit program information
• compliance and enforcement regime

Appropriate personnel may include:

• board of directors
• senior management
• line managers/supervisors

Rail safety operating principles include:

• identification and management of risk
• protection of persons from injury
• protection of property from damage
• ensuring that emergencies and incidents are properly managed
• ensuring that interfaces between different organisations are properly defined and managed
• track access
• train separation

Applicable current national and international standards may include:

• Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) (formerly Code Management Company [CMC]) codes and standards e.g. National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers Volumes 1 and 2
• AS4292 series: Railway Safety Management
• ISO 31000 Risk Management

Implications may include:

• a requirement that rail transport operators demonstrate that use of the appropriate standard or code will mitigate the risk

Duty holders include:

• rail transport operators - rail infrastructure managers and/or rolling stock operators
• contractors
• designers, manufacturers, suppliers, commissioners, erectors and installers
• de-commissioners
• managers of private sidings
• rail safety workers

Purpose of general duties is:

• to provide a concise statement of a duty holder’s overall safety responsibilities

General duties are:

• broad legal requirements that define the extent and nature of the responsibilities of a duty holder
• described as general duties to distinguish them from other more specific and detailed legal requirements
• sometimes referred to as ‘general duties of care’ or more simply as the ‘duty of care’