Persons achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines.

Work is performed under minimal supervision, generally within a team environment. It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures to the awareness of structures fundamentals as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Identify types of bridges and structures

1.1 Principal bridge types and their purpose are identified

1.2 Other principal structure types and their purpose are identified

2Identify structures terminology and conventions

2.1 Basic terminology for structures infrastructure is defined

2.2 Principal components of structures and their purpose are identified

2.3 Conventions for numbering structures and their components are identified

3Identify defect categories

3.1 Types of defect are identified

3.2 Conventions for categorising defects are identified

4Locate structures defects

4.1 Tools and equipment for visual inspection of structures are identified and selected

4.2 Defects in structures are located and identified

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Relevant safety, OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

Workplace procedures for locating defects in structures

Problems that may occur locating defects in structures, and action that can be taken to report or resolve the problems

Hazards that may exist when locating defects in structures, and ways of controlling the risks involved

Structures terms and conventions

Fundamentals of structure types

Types of structures defects

Structures components

Relevant communication systems and procedures

Authorisation/approval processes and procedures

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when locating defects in structures

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information, technical data, standards and drawings relevant to locating defects in structures

Follow operational instructions and work sequences when locating defects in structures

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocols

Work collaboratively with others when locating defects in structures

Select and use required personal protective equipment

Select equipment used for basic structures inspection

Locate previously identified defects

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

Assessment must include exercises which demonstrate competent performance of the following in a range of situations:

identifying different types of structures and components

undertaking basic inspection of structures

locating defects in structures

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

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation

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.

Operations may be conducted:

by day or night

in all weather conditions

Work may be conducted in:

restricted spaces

exposed conditions

controlled or open environments

Work may involve exposure to:

chemicals

dangerous or hazardous substances

movements of equipment, materials and vehicles

Structures may include:

underbridges

overbridges

footbridges

culverts

tunnels

retaining walls

platforms

overhead wiring structures

signal gantries

noise barriers

service crossings

buffer stops

lighting towers

water towers

turntables

elevated roads

track slabs

Materials may include:

timber

steel

concrete/masonry

Equipment may include:

torch

geologists hammer

scaffolding

extension ladder

elevated work platforms (EWP)

boat or barge

Structures components may include:

girders, corbels, headstocks

piers, abutments, trestles, piles

bolts, fasteners

protective coatings

Methods for locating defects may include:

visual inspection

Liaison may include:

internal/external personnel from other work areas (e.g. train controllers)

road authorities

local councils

landowners

Communication equipment systems may include:

two-way radios

telephones/mobile phones

agreed audible or hand signals

Depending on work context, safety and personal protective equipment may include:

high visibility clothing

hearing protection

gloves

sunscreen

sunglasses

safety glasses

insect repellent

safety headwear

safety footwear

portable radio/mobile phones

hand lamps

flags

safety harness and ropes

breathing apparatus

safety mask

air monitors

safety devices

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Information/documents may include:

operational instructions, policies and workplace procedures

local authority regulations and procedures

information provided by other workplace personnel

previous reports

works orders

technical instructions

manufacturers or workplace equipment operation manuals and specifications

emergency procedure manuals

two-way radio/mobile phone operation procedures

QA plans, data and document control

conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards

Information may be provided:

electronically

in writing, via forms/documents/plans

orally, via face-to-face communications

trackside signals

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

applicable legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines

relevant Australian Standards and related requirements including AS 4292

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.