Application
People achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable legislated rail safety requirements including state and territory acts and regulations 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 shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains to operational requirements as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Plan and prepare for shunting operation | 1.1 Shunting requirements are confirmed through workplace documents and/or relevant personnel 1.2 Local safety requirements are identified and performed in accordance with workplace procedures 1.3 Relevant occupational health and safety (OH&S) requirements are followed to prevent injury and damage |
2 Shunt trains | 2.1 Where required, points, levers and/or switches are operated in accordance with workplace requirements 2.2 Audible signals, hand signals and other line of sight communications are used to assist the control of train movements 2.3 Hand, light and radio shunting commands used are responded to in accordance with workplace requirements 2.4 Pre-movement inspection/tests are carried out prior to moving trains 2.5 Train is shunted and positioned in accordance with operational/workplace requirements 2.6 Following shunt movement train is secured in accordance with workplace requirements |
3 Couple trains | 3.1 Type of connections required are identified prior to coupling 3.2 Trains to be coupled are positioned in accordance with operating procedures and workplace requirements 3.3 Trains to be coupled are fully secured 3.4 Alignment of couplers in the appropriate position for type of connection required is ensured 3.5 Prior to coupling trains, safety requirements are ensured 3.6 Trains are coupled in accordance with operational/workplace requirements 3.7 Post-coupling inspection/tests are carried out in accordance with operating procedures and workplace requirements |
4 Uncouple trains | 4.1 Trains to be uncoupled are identified and pre-uncoupling checks and, where required, procedures are conducted in accordance with operating procedures and workplace requirements 4.2 Prior to uncoupling trains safety requirements are ensured 4.3 Train that will remain after uncoupling is fully secured 4.4 Trains are uncoupled in accordance with operating procedures and workplace requirements 4.5 Post-uncoupling inspection/tests are carried out in accordance with operating procedures and workplace requirements |
5 Use coupling adaptor | 5.1 Situations requiring the use of a coupling adaptor are identified in accordance with workplace procedures 5.2 Coupling adaptor is accessed and transported to required location for use 5.3 Prior to fitting coupling adaptor, safety requirements are ensured 5.4 Coupling adaptor is attached to one of the trains prior to coupling in accordance with workplace procedures 5.5 Trains are coupled in accordance with workplace procedures and coupling adaptor is secured in place 5.6 Post-coupling inspection/tests and/or procedures are carried out in accordance with operating procedures and workplace requirements |
Required Skills
This section describes the knowledge and skills required for this unit. |
Required knowledge: |
Applicable minimum standards and approved compliance codes and/or guidelines |
Communication protocols |
Coupling systems, their components and their operation |
Diagnostic techniques relating to shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains |
Procedures to be followed in an emergency |
Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations including codes of practice for manual handling |
Shunting procedures and requirements |
Types of couplers and their purpose |
Types of coupling adaptors and their purpose (where used) |
Required skills: |
Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities |
Apply rail safety practices and regulations |
Assess shunting, coupling and uncoupling defects |
Communicate effectively with others when shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains |
Identify and assess electric passenger train defects and deficiencies, and take appropriate action to report, isolate, repair or replace any identified defective equipment in accordance with workplace procedures |
Implement contingency plans for unplanned events |
Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work |
Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments |
Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule |
Operate and adapt to differences in trains and related equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures |
Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol |
Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions when shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures |
Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains |
Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards |
Work collaboratively with others when shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains |
Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment |
Evidence Required
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 required 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: carrying out pre-shunting checks correctly shunting in a number of locations including sidings and depots/yards coupling an electric passenger train, |
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, 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. | |
Equipment may include: | electric passenger train transition coupler emergency coupler coupling adaptor |
OH&S requirements may include the use of: | gloves sunscreen, sunglasses and safety glasses insect repellent safety footwear portable radios hand lamps flags high visibility clothing emergency warning devices portable signs and markers |
Contingencies may include: | derailments collisions breakdowns injuries and fatalities fires track damage powerline damage broken/missing equipment |
Contingency plans and contingencies may involve: | emergency procedures manuals safeworking systems and requirements |
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: | applicable legislated rail safety requirements including state and territory acts and regulations together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines noticeboards special train notices periodical circulars rules and operating procedures computer-based data systems timetables train consist incident reports train register book emergency procedures manual conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards |
Applicable regulations, legislation and codes may include: | relevant state/territory codes of practice and safeworking system requirements relevant state/territory OH&S legislation relevant state/territory fatigue management regulations relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation relevant Australian Standards |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.