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 individually and skills are required to work within a team environment. It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures to allocate motive power across a variety of operational contexts in the Australian rail systems.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Identify train operating requirements

1.1 Train timetables, shunting requirements and track conditions for each line or service are identified and records kept up to date

1.2 Tonnage of individual trains is identified to enable planning of suitable motive power

1.3 Routine usage of motive power units is established to provide an initial allocation framework

1.4 Contingency plans covering operational problems are developed and their impact on motive power requirements taken into account

2Establish motive power requirements and availability

2.1 Availability of all motive power units is determined including location, operational status, special and routine maintenance requirements

2.2 Motive power required to haul tonnage is determined for each train/service and support activity consistent with track geography, gauge, train weight and conditions is identified

3Allocate individual motive power units

3.1 Motive power units, including railcar and locomotive types, are allocated to ensure train and support activities are serviced

3.2 Allocations are documented and communicated to operations personnel and feedback sought to ensure suitability of units planned

3.3 Relevant OH&S requirements are identified and included in the allocation considerations

3.4 Documentation authorising the use of allocated motive power for the train service is completed and processed

4Monitor and adjust motive power allocation

4.1 Use and requirements for motive power are monitored and possible allocation changes determined to maintain efficient use of resources

4.2 Contingency plans for unexpected non-availability of specific motive power units or operational non-performance are implemented

4.3 Changes to allocation are negotiated with operational personnel and motive power maintenance personnel to achieve suitable outcomes

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

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 OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations including codes of practice

Workplace procedures and policies for allocating motive power

Motive power units and specifications, capabilities and capacity

Crew requirements and working patterns

Allocation and maintenance schedules of motive power units

Track specifications and limitations

Gauges, distance, gradients and tonnages for relevant track area

Communication requirements

Load types

Timetables and train details

Emergency procedures

Relevant industrial awards and agreements

Equipment, and materials used when allocating motive power, and procedures that should be followed in their use

Problems that may occur when allocating motive power and appropriate action that can be taken to resolve the problems

Communication and negotiation requirements when allocating motive power

Documentation and record requirements

Required skills:

Communicate and negotiate effectively with others when allocating motive power

Read and interpret instructions, procedures and information relevant to the allocation of motive power

Read and interpret train graphs and diagrams

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to the allocation of motive power

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when allocating motive power

Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

Promptly report and/or rectify any problems, faults or malfunctions that are identified when allocating motive power in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may arise when allocating motive power

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

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 goods or equipment

Select and use relevant computing and communications equipment and materials when allocating motive power

Operate and adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

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

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

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 relevant weather conditions

Motive power allocated may include:

locomotives and self propelled railcars

steam locomotives

diesel and electric types

Resources may include:

timetables

track and shunting requirements

motive power units

relevant workplace policy

authorisation documentation

Trains/services for which allocations are made may include:

short distance freight

long distance passenger service

work trains

special trains

long distance freight

urban passenger service

train service motive power requirements

support activities such as shunting

Establishing motive power requirements and availability may take into consideration:

operating policies

track specifications and limitations

distances

communication requirements

tonnages

double ended locomotives

coupling requirements

available motive power units

gauges

crew requirements

gradients

load types

configuration

Contingency processes may involve:

non-availability of specified motive power

equipment failure

operational breakdowns

communications difficulties

Consultative processes may involve:

workplace personnel including supervisors and managers

other professional or technical staff

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 acts and regulations from each state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines

the Code of Practice for the Defined Interstate Rail Network in situations where marshalling operations are carried out on that network

workplace rules and operating procedures

train graphs

timetables

printouts from office machines

displays on computer monitors

hard copy documentation

computer based data systems

verbal and written information from relevant staff and management

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

Applicable procedures and codes may include:

relevant state/territory codes of practice and safeworking system requirements

the Code of Practice for the Defined Interstate Rail Network in situations where marshalling operations are carried out on that network

relevant Australian Standards and related requirements

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.