1 Plan for local possession authority

1.1 Worksite protection plan is developed to determine LPA worksite protection arrangements

1.2 Work group supervisor is advised of advertised approval

1.3 Resources are organised to provide adequate protection for the infrastructure and work group during rail work activity

2 Issue local possession authority

2.1 Permission to issue the LPA is requested from network control officer

2.2 Resources to provide protection for the LPA are deployed in accordance with the worksite protection plan

2.3 Work group supervisor is advised that the LPA has been issued

2.4 Adjustments to the LPA are negotiated with network control officer, if required

2.5 Each worksite within the LPA is provided with a protection officer while work is being performed

2.6 Multiple worksites are protected in accordance with the worksite protection plan

2.7 Rail traffic movements between worksites and within the LPA limits are coordinated

2.8 Authorisation is given to rail traffic entering the LPA

3 Fulfil local possession authority

3.1 Confirmation is obtained from work group supervisor that work activity is completed and track is safe for rail traffic

3.2 Resources used to provide protection are removed in accordance with the advertised approval

3.3 LPA is fulfilled for the entire portion of track included within the LPA or is fulfilled progressively for one or more portions of track included in the LPA

3.4 Where required, arrangements are made for work to continue under another work on track authority

4 Manage unsafe situations or emergencies

4.1 Unsafe situations and/or emergencies are identified

4.2 Work group is instructed to move to a safe place

4.3 Appropriate action is taken to minimise risk and/or injury in accordance with workplace procedures

4.4 Emergencies and/or incidents are recorded and reported to relevant personnel in accordance with workplace procedures

This section describes the knowledge and skills required for this unit.

Required knowledge:

Access Provider policies, procedures and protocols for identified unsafe situations or emergencies within workplace role

Access Provider rules and, procedures

Access Provider rules and procedures for working around electrical infrastructure

Operational communication protocols and systems

Rail terminology as defined by the applicable Access Provider

Track possession documentation

Types of track protection

Worksite protection plan

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with individuals and work groups

Complete track possession documentation

Follow workplace policies, procedures and protocols

Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

Implement worksite protection plans

Use required personal protective equipment conforming to Access Provider requirements

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 workplace rules and procedures

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

managing worksite protection plans

deploying resources to provide protection for the LPA in accordance with the worksite protection plan

requesting permission for LPA from network control officer

negotiating adjustments to LPA with network control officer

explaining how to fulfil an LPA

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 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 knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through activities in an appropriately simulated environment, and

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.

Worksites may include:

rail corridor

danger zone:

running line

parallel networks (adjacent access providers, shared corridor)

adjacent lines

sidings/yards

platforms/buildings

structures

Terminology will be:

as defined by the applicable track safeworking system and operating procedures

Work may occur:

by day or night, under varied weather conditions and situations

Safety assessment will be:

as defined within workplace procedures

as defined in the safety assessment for work including:

view - line of sight

direction of approaching trains

speed of approaching trains

position of safety

changed local conditions

Network control officer may also be known as:

network controller

train controller

area controller

signaller

Communications may include:

receiving and passing on verbal messages/information

reporting unsafe situations and responding to emergencies

general safety and emergency messages

Communications equipment and systems may include:

hand and audible signals

radios

telephones/mobile phones

signage

Safety clothing and equipment may include:

high visibility clothing

protective footwear

hearing protection

Where applicable, worksite protection equipment may include:

warning devices, whistles and sirens

railway track signals

demarcation barriers

lights, flags and signs

electronic devices

blocking facilities

Information and documents may include:

workplace procedures, policies and work instructions

safeworking rules and procedures emergency plan

pre-work briefing

worksite protection plan

Complexity of work activity may involve:

type of work to be undertaken

hand tools to be used

track vehicles

machinery

multiple work groups

rail traffic within or between worksite

Characteristics of track worksite may include:

location

cuttings and embankments

speed and density of adjacent traffic

parallel networks (adjacent access providers, shared corridor)

electrified network

track circuits

level and pedestrian crossings

limits of worksite

visibility

work affecting track under the control of other access providers

multiple work activities

Types of track protection may include:

lookout working

track occupancy authority

track work authority

local possession authority

absolute signal blocking

Worksite protection plans may include:

defining the limits

identifying safe places

identifying level and pedestrian crossings

identifying fixed rail infrastructure including:

signals

overhead structures

bridges/tunnels

turn outs

minimum sighting distances

LPA documentation may include:

train notice

LPA worksite permits

train register book

forms

Adjustments to local possession authority may include:

extending time

varying location