Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to physically operate stand alone signalling/point control equipment on a rail network as a part of rail work activities, 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 the 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 Use stand alone signalling control equipment 

1.1 Signalling/point control equipment is identified and confirmed with network control officer

1.2 Authority to operate signalling/point control equipment is obtained from network control officer

1.3 Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn in accordance with access provider's and organisational requirements

1.4 Track environment is accessed safely in accordance with workplace procedures

1.5 A situational awareness is maintained to identify any changed circumstances

1.6 Stand alone signalling control equipment is operated safely and in accordance with any local instructions

1.7 Route is set and confirmed as correct to facilitate safe rail vehicle movement

1.8 Communications with network control officer is maintained using appropriate communication protocols and systems in accordance with workplace procedures

1.9 Unsafe situations and/or emergencies are identified and appropriate action is taken in accordance with workplace procedures

2 Restore stand alone signalling control equipment 

2.1 Network control officer is informed when rail vehicle/s are clear of fouling points

2.2 Stand alone signalling/point control equipment is restored to correct position

2.3 Restoration is confirmed with network control officer

2.4 Where required, signalling/point control equipment is locked and secured in accordance with workplace procedures

2.5 Any identified faults in the equipment are reported 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

• Operational communication protocols and systems

• Recognition of points, signals and location features

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with individuals and work groups

• Follow workplace policies, procedures and protocols

• Conduct a situational awareness assessment

• Use required personal protective equipment conforming to organisational standards

• Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

• Operate points and signal controls

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:

• explaining procedures to maintain communication with network control officer
• selecting and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment
• correctly operating stand alone signalling and point control equipment
• conducting a situational awareness
• correctly restoring stand alone signalling and point control equipment
• demonstrating locking and, where required, securing stand alone signalling control equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

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/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 locations may include:

• rail corridor
• danger zone:

• running line
• sidings/yards

• platforms/buildings

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

Situational awareness will be:

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

• view - line of sight
• direction of approaching trains
• speed of approaching trains
• position of safety
• changed local conditions

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

Communication protocols and systems may include:

• general safety
• transmitting and receiving messages:

• identification
• standard radio terms
• phonetic alphabet
• testing communications equipment

• emergency messages

Safety clothing and equipment may include:

• high visibility clothing
• protective footwear
• hearing protection

Rail vehicles may include:

• trains
• road/rail vehicles
• track machines

Stand alone signalling equipment may include:

• dual control point machines
• ground frames
• switchlocks
• plunger lock points
• small signal boxes
• quadrant levers
• master keys
• tokens
• Annett keys

Competency Field 

W - Equipment and Systems Operations