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

Work is generally performed without supervision and within a team environment. It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures to drive electric passenger trains to operational requirements as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Drive train efficiently and effectively

1.1 Train is operated in accordance with the relevant codes of practice, workplace procedures and instructions

1.2 Train is operated safely within track/road characteristics and route conditions

1.3 Train operations are controlled to minimise wear, maximise efficiency and avoid damage

1.4 Train is operated with due care for passenger comfort and quality of ride

1.5 Train is safely operated to specified timetable and schedule in accordance with on-time running standards

1.6 Performance of equipment and rolling stock is monitored to maintain optimum running conditions and identify faults, defects and efficiencies

1.7 Relevant codes of practice, OH&S and environmental requirements are followed to prevent injury and damage

2Operate train according to standard operating procedures

2.1 Train documentation is received, interpreted and followed

2.2 Relevant codes of practice, safeworking and signalling requirements are adhered to throughout train operations

2.3 Train control instructions and other instructions are received, interpreted and applied to ensure safe and effective control of the train

2.4 Communications are maintained with relevant personnel during the train journey in accordance with the relevant codes of practice and safeworking systems

2.5 Instructions concerning train operation are given to relevant personnel to ensure safe and efficient running

3Maintain/manage communications

3.1 Where applicable, passengers are advised of station identification, emergency situations and other critical information, using the train communications system

3.2 Train control and other instructions are received, interpreted and applied to ensure safe and effective control of the train

3.3 Communications are maintained with train control and other relevant personnel during the train journey in accordance with the workplace procedures, relevant codes of practice and safeworking systems

3.4 Instructions concerning train operation are given to relevant personnel to ensure safe and efficient on-time running

3.5 Instructions are verified, when required, interpreted and followed, in accordance with relevant codes of practice, safeworking systems and requirements and organisational policies and procedures, to ensure that actions taken are appropriate and safe

3.6 Fixed and hand signals and verbal movement commands are interpreted and followed, in accordance with relevant codes of practice, safeworking systems and organisational policies and procedures, to ensure that actions taken are appropriate and safe

4Change ends

4.1 Arrival procedures are carried according to organisational policies and procedures

4.2 Checks and terminus inspections are carried out according to organisational policies and procedures

4.3 Departure procedures are carried out according to organisational policies and procedures

5Carry out in-service inspections

5.1 Train checks are made in accordance with workplace procedures

5.2 Problems and defects are identified and reported/rectified in accordance with workplace procedures, other regulatory requirements and manufacturers instructions

5.3 Incidents or unusual occurrences are reported to relevant personnel in accordance with established policies and procedures

6Hand over train to relieving driver

6.1 If required, identity of relieving driver is checked and confirmed

6.2 Relieving driver is advised of condition and, if applicable, location of the train

6.3 Relieving driver is updated and, where applicable, is made aware of any relevant documentation

7Accept train hand-over as relief driver

7.1 Relieving driver is positioned at correct time and location as per organisational requirements

7.2 If required, present identification to train driver being relieved

7.3 If required, relevant documentation is identified and referred to as per organisational requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

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

Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

Operational instructions

Train controls, instruments and indicators and their purpose, location and use

Train operating procedures

Procedures for carrying out in-service checks

Requirements for completing relevant documentation

Train characteristics including: track and train dynamics, and monitoring principles and procedures

Train equipment and systems including: monitoring devices, braking and drive equipment, ancillary systems, and signalling systems

Track and road characteristics including: track limitations, speed limitations, gauge limitation, curves and gradients, location of signals and crossings, cross-overs, and yard and siding layouts

Local procedures and operating requirements

Procedures for operating electronic communications equipment with required protocol

Fatigue management knowledge and techniques including: causes and effects of fatigue, strategies to manage fatigue, factors which increase fatigue-related accidents, and lifestyles which promote the effective long-term management of fatigue

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when driving and operating an electric passenger train to operational requirements

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to driving and operating an electric passenger train

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to the driving and operating of an electric passenger train to operational requirements

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others as part of a train crew

Identify and assess train defects and deficiencies and take appropriate action to report, isolate, repair or replace any identified defective equipment as per workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unplanned events

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist when driving and operating an electric passenger train to operational requirements

Recognise problems that may arise when driving and operating an electric passenger train, and take appropriate action

Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to vehicles or equipment

Adapt to differences in trains, associated trains and ancillary equipment

Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

Monitor train performance to facilitate optimum safe operation

Apply information about the track or road to train operations

Secure a train

Maintain on-time running

Apply fatigue management knowledge and techniques

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:

correctly operating the electric passenger train in accordance with operational requirements

appropriately using communication equipment including use of correct protocols

carrying out correct train hand over

changing ends correctly

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

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:

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.

Trains may be:

any electric passenger train operated in the Australian rail system

Operations may be conducted:

by day or night

in all weather conditions

Train may be secured by:

power brakes

hand/park brakes

Track/road characteristics may include:

track limitations

speed limitations

gauge limitation

curves and gradients

location of signals and crossings

cross-overs

Relevant personnel may include:

train controllers

those providing operational assistance

signals staff

passengers

station staff

train crew

Communication protocols may include but are not limited to:

general safety

emergency messages

identification

standard radio terms

phonetic alphabet

spoken figures

Communications equipment may include but is not limited to:

train intercom

hand-held or portable radio equipment

fixed radio equipment

computer-based communications equipment

mobile phones

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, protocols, policies and procedures, including:

train operation procedures

procedures to prevent trains from moving unintentionally or against safeworking rules

track speed

procedures for monitoring and complying with signals

procedures for operating in accordance with track/route conditions

train log or record book

train timetables

procedures/instructions for dealing with emergencies or abnormal situations

quality and customer service standards, policies and procedures

maintenance notices, records and requests

communication equipment procedures

equipment operation manuals and maintenance specifications

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

Applicable regulations, legislation and codes may include:

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

relevant state codes of practice and safeworking system requirements

relevant Australian Standards and related requirements including AS 4292 Part 1

relevant state OH&S legislation

relevant state environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.