The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the unit descriptor, performance criteria, The range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:

the knowledge requirements of this unit

the skill requirements of this unit

application of employability skills as they relate to this unit

effective operation within the regulatory framework for rail safety in a range of 3 or more contexts or occasions over time.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Valid assessment of this unit requires:

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when working within the regulatory framework for rail safety, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

Resources essential for assessment include:

legislation, guidelines, codes of practice and standards relating to rail safety

current rail industry terminology and meanings

organisational procedures, guidelines and protocols for working within the regulatory framework for rail safety

scenarios and/or case studies to illustrate the range of situations likely to be encountered when working within the regulatory framework for rail safety

access to relevant systems

Method of assessment

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit must use authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses and may include a combination of two or more of:

research projects

simulation or role plays

case studies and scenarios

workplace projects

portfolios

authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate and where the person has a disability the principle of reasonable adjustment should be applied during assessment.

Assessment methods should reflect but not exceed workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations

Suggested units that may be co-assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include:

PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service

PSPGOV504B Undertake research and analysis

PSPGOV512A Use complex workplace communication strategies

PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPRAIL502A Assess and administer accreditation and registration applications

PSPRAIL504A Review and promote safety culture

BSBAUD503B Lead a quality audit

Guidance information for assessment

For consistency of assessment:

evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments

Assessing employability skills:

employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors

the way these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts

employability skills embedded in this unit of competency should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification, and in the context of the job role

In practice, operating effectively within the regulatory framework for rail safety overlaps with other generalist or specialist work activities, such as undertaking research and analysis, acting ethically, using complex communication strategies, leading quality audits, and assessing and administering accreditation and registration applications. Co-assessment with units of competency addressing these other activities could be considered.

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

Required skills:

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

researching information related to the rail industry and rail safety regulation

accessing and using rail safety industry standards

developing and maintaining currency in rail industry knowledge

communicating with others, involving the explanation of complex information relating to rail safety regulation

networking and building relationships with a diverse range of rail industry organisations

self-management to work ethically and in accordance with legislation

using technology to conduct research, access industry standards, review changing industry information and network with others

responding to diversity, including gender and disability

applying environmental and occupational health and safety procedures when using computer technology and when networking in the field with rail industry operators

Required knowledge:

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of:

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

changes in rail industry operations and technology with implications for rail safety regulation

key principles and practices associated with railway operations

relevance of national and international standards to the rail industry

rail safety

key concepts and definitions relating to rail safety regulation

duty holders and their duties under rail safety legislation

key participants in the rail industry.

The range statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The range statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in italics in the Performance criteria is explained here.

Rail terminology may relate to infrastructure, such as:

rail, including:

mass

rail head

web

rail foot

jointed

continuously welded: thermit or flashbutt

fastening (dog spike, pandrol clip and fishplate)

sleeper plate

sleeper (timber, concrete or steel)

ballast

rack

formation

points and crossings (turnouts, crossovers and diamonds)

curves (circular or transition) and cant

grades

track, including deterioration and maintenance, re-sleepering, surfacing and tamping

substation and feeder system

electrical overhead (catenary, contact, dropper wire, span wire, centre pole, span pole and building rosette)

train signalling (fixed or automatic)

tram signalling

tram squares

stations

depots

level crossings

sidings

rolling stock:

locomotives

trains:

passenger

freight: container, flat, open, van, hopper and tank

special purpose, including:

special vehicles

multi-units

trailers

road/rail vehicles

tram cars

hi rail

self-propelled vehicles

diesel motive units (DMUs)

historic/heritage rolling stock

rolling stock systems:

traction

braking

running gear (wheelsets, bogies, couplers and draft gear)

pantograph

trolley pole

rail operations:

safeworking systems: train control, space interval or block working, running lines, authorisation of movements, fixed and onboard signals, drive on sight operations, staff (token) working, train order working, electronic authority, manual and automatic signalling, indicators

systems interfaces (outline, wheel/rail, train/signals)

Elements of railway systems may include:

railway infrastructure

railway technologies

railway operations and management

systems engineering

systems interfaces

access arrangements

safety considerations, such as:

structural

design

performance

maintenance

interfaces

human factors

crashworthiness

emergency requirements

safety management systems for rail transport operators

Railway technologies may include:

rolling stock, including:

locomotives

rail cars

trams

monorails

road/rail vehicles

passenger rolling stock

freight rolling stock

special vehicles, multi-units and trailers

electric motive units (EMUs) and DMUs

historic/heritage rolling stock

rolling stock systems

rail vehicle crashworthiness

vehicle maintenance

wheel/rail interface theory and practice

railway traction and braking

traction power and distribution

track and road bed

signalling

Railway infrastructure may include:

track infrastructure, including:

track systems and geometry

track beds and components

points and crossings

curves and grades

structures for railways, such as cuttings, embankments, tunnels and bridges

level crossings

kinematic envelopes/rolling stock outlines

gauging

on-street tram tracks

electrical infrastructure, including:

electrification systems, such as overhead live electrical and third rail

electric traction supply systems, including electromagnetic interference from traction supplies, e.g. electrolysis

signalling infrastructure, including:

fixed

manual and automatic signalling

basic principles of signalling and train control

tram signals

communications for train control

automatic train protection systems

train monitoring

trackside warning systems

cab-based signalling or train protection systems

Systems interfaces may include:

projects

tramway squares

electrical systems substations

systems engineering and systems integration

new works approvals, including identification of issues relating to management of change and material change

management of major railway projects

infrastructure maintenance systems and possessions planning

safeworking and operations, including rules and operating procedures for safeworking on trains

Information may include:

uniform administration guidelines

business rules for audits

safety notices

national audit program information

Other rail safety regulatory staff may include:

colleagues and supervisors

inter-jurisdictional regulatory staff

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. Code of Practice for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers Volumes 1 and 2

AS4292 series: Railway Safety Management

AS/NZS4360 Risk Management and HB436:2004 Risk Management Guidelines

AS/NZS/ISO 9000 series: Quality Management Systems

AS/NZS15288 Systems engineering - System life cycle processes

AS/NZS61508 Functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems

AS/NZS/ISO 19011 Guidelines for Quality and/or Environmental Management System Auditing

AS/NZS3931 Risk Analysis of Technological Systems - Application Guide

AS1742.7 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Part 7: Railway Crossings

AS3806 Compliance Programs

relevant international standards, such as:

European Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs)

European Norms (ENs)

British Railway Group Standards (RGSs)

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'

Rail industry organisations may include:

rail transport operators

industry associations

unions

maintainers

suppliers

contractors