Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to apply track occupancy protection for the infrastructure and/or work groups on a rail network during rail work activities using an electronic or manual documentation system, in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements. It includes following policies, procedures and protocols of the access provider. 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 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 access provider's policies, procedures and protocols related to applying rail safety requirements to work activities.

Work is performed following established procedures, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes within the limits of responsibility of the worker 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 Prepare for track occupancy 

1.1 The site safety plan is sourced and read for the terms of occupancy

1.2 Network control officer is notified of intention to occupy and to provide initial approval

1.3 The work group supervisor is advised of network control officer's decision

2 Issue track occupancy 

2.1 Permission to occupy is requested from network control officer

2.2 Permission to occupy track is documented in accordance with access provider's and/or organisational requirements

2.3 The work group supervisor is advised that occupancy has been issued

2.4 Track occupancy is monitored for effectiveness

2.5 Train running information is obtained and adjustments to track occupancy are negotiated with network control officer, if applicable

3 Cancel track occupancy 

3.1 Communication is maintained with work group supervisor to confirm completion of work activity and track is safe for rail traffic

3.2 Permission to cancel track occupancy is documented in accordance with access provider's and/or organisational requirements

3.3 Network control officer is informed that track occupancy has been cancelled

4 Manage unsafe situations or emergencies 

4.1 Unsafe situations and/or emergencies are identified

4.2 Work group is instructed to move to a safe place

4.3 Appropriate action is taken to minimise risk and/or injury in accordance with workplace procedures

4.4 Emergencies and/or incidents are recorded and reported to relevant personnel 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 :

• Access provider's and organisational policies, procedures and protocols

• Rail terminology as defined by the applicable access provider

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

• Site safety plans

• Operational communication protocols and systems

• Types of track protection

• Track occupancy documentation

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with individuals and work groups

• Follow workplace policies, procedures and protocols

• Use required personal protective equipment conforming to organisational standards

• Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

• Implement site safety plans

• Complete track occupancy documentation

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:

• implementing site safety plan
• notifying network control officer of intention to occupy
• clearly and accurately completing permission to occupy track documentation
• monitoring track occupancy for effectiveness
• negotiating adjustments to track occupancy

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 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
• 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.

Worksites may include:

• rail corridor
• danger zone:

• running line
• parallel networks (adjacent access providers, shared corridor)
• adjacent lines
• sidings/yards

• platforms/buildings
• structures

Terminology will be:

• as defined by the applicable track safeworking system and operating procedures

Work may occur:

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

Network control officer may be:

• network controller
• train controller
• area controller
• signaller

Communications may include:

• receive and pass on verbal messages/information
• report unsafe situations and respond to emergencies
• general safety and emergency messages

Communications equipment and systems may include:

• hand and audible signals
• radios
• telephones/mobile phones
• signage

Safety clothing and equipment may include:

• high visibility clothing
• protective footwear
• hearing protection

Where applicable, worksite protection equipment may include:

• audible track warning devices
• demarcation barriers
• lights and flags
• electronic devices

Information and documents may include:

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

Complexity of work activity may include:

• type of work to be undertaken
• hand tools to be used
• track vehicles/track machines
• machinery
• multiple work groups
• rail traffic within or between worksite/s

Characteristics of track worksite may include:

• location
• cuttings and embankments
• speed and density of adjacent traffic
• parallel networks
• electrified network
• track circuits
• level and pedestrian crossings
• limits of worksite
• visibility
• the work will affect track under the control of other access providers
• multiple work activities

Site safety plans may include:

• defining the boundaries
• identifying positions of safety
• identifying level and pedestrian crossings
• identifying fixed rail infrastructure including:

• signals
• overhead structures
• bridges/tunnels
• turn outs

Track occupancy documentation may include:

• electronic or manual types
• standard form
• track occupancy number
• date
• times
• location
• description of work
• limits of authority
• network control officer's details
• protection officer's details

Competency Field 

L - Resource Management