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 some supervision, generally within a team environment. It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures to carrying out track ballasting as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

Operators of mechanised equipment must have undertaken training and, where appropriate, hold the relevant licence, permit or certificate and be recognised as competent for the class of machinery being used.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Determine job requirements

1.1 Worksite is identified

1.2 Work method is selected to meet job requirements

1.3 Resources are identified to meet the scope of the job and work methods selected

2Undertake ballast activity

2.1 Ballast is removed from track using appropriate methods and equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

2.2 Ballast profile is established through repair of existing ballast and/or distribution of new ballast using appropriate methods and equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

2.3 Work is completed to meet ballast profile requirements to ensure safe operation of trains in accordance with workplace procedures

3Complete documentation

3.1 Documentation is completed in line with workplace requirements

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 the carrying out of track ballasting

Problems that may occur when carrying out of track ballasting, and action that can be taken to report or resolve the problems

Hazards that may exist when carrying out of track ballasting, and ways of controlling the risks involved

Ballast profile standards

Functions of ballast

Basic understanding of materials and methods involved in the restoration of ballast profiles

Relevant recording and documentation procedures

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when carrying out track ballast activities

Read and interpret instructions and manuals relevant to the carrying out of track ballasting

Interpret and follow operational instructions including the correct work sequences when carrying out track ballasting

Complete documentation related to the carrying out of track ballasting

Use agreed communication methods

Work collaboratively with others when carrying out track ballasting

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may occur when carrying out track ballasting in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Perform 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 equipment

Select and use required personal protective equipment

Select and use relevant equipment and tools

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:

removing and distributing existing ballast by manual and/or mechanical methods

distributing new ballast by manual and/or mechanical methods

ensuring completed work meets ballast profile requirements

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, and dangerous or hazardous substances

movements of equipment, goods and vehicles

Equipment may include:

off-track plant (front end loaders, back hoes etc.)

ballast hoppers

hand tools and small plant

ballast sled

ballast undercutters

ballast cleaners

ballast forks

ballast regulators

other mechanical means

Materials may include:

gravel ballast

crushed rock ballast

metal fines/road base

Ballast profile may differ for:

different rail mass

rail types (non-welded, welded and curve)

traffic task

sleeper type

Methods may include:

unloading ballast hoppers

spreading ballast dumped by truck or front end loader or similar equipment

profiling using shovels, ballast forks or using a ballast regulator

removing ballast using manual methods

removing ballast using:

off-track plant

ballast cleaners

undercutters

ballast sled

Liaison may include:

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

Communications 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

dust mask

insect repellent

safety headwear

safety footwear

portable radios/mobile phone

hand lamps

flags

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

work orders

technical instructions

manufacturers or workplace equipment instructions and operation manuals

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

via trackside signals

Applicable procedures and codes may include:

legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each applicable 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.