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 the relevant track protection rules and requirements to assigned track work activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Access and interpret information about track protection requirements

1.1 Information about track protection requirements relevant to work activities is sought and obtained/received in accordance with workplace procedures and the requirements of the relevant safeworking system

1.2 Information about relevant track protection requirements is interpreted and applied to work activities in accordance with workplace instructions

2Carry out assigned protection and/or work activities

2.1 Assigned protection and/or work activities are carried out together with others in accordance with workplace instructions and safeworking procedures

2.2 Protection system and equipment is constantly reviewed in accordance with workplace procedures to ensure ongoing protection

2.3 Liaison is maintained with relevant authority/personnel to ensure maximum protection is maintained

2.4 Documentation and records required under safeworking rules are completed in accordance with workplace procedures

3Respond appropriately to abnormal situations

3.1 Abnormal situations, safety incidents and emergencies are identified in accordance with workplace procedures and safeworking regulations

3.2 Identified abnormal situations, safety incidents and emergencies are promptly reported to relevant personnel and action is taken within limits of responsibility in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3 Reports and records of identified abnormal situations, safety incidents and emergencies together with related action taken are completed in accordance with workplace procedures and safeworking rules

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

A general understanding of systems and track protection rules and requirements

An overview of railway safeworking system requirements

An understanding of railway safeworking system types

An awareness of railway safeworking system limitations

Communication protocols as they relate to the functions of the occupation concerned

Safeworking rules and protocols as they relate to the work activities concerned

Rail terminology as defined in the applicable state/territory safeworking system

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when operating under track protection rules

Read and interpret relevant rules, regulations and instructions when operating under track protection rules

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work when operating under track protection rules

Complete documentation applicable when operating under track protection rules

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when operating under track protection rules

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

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may occur when operating under track protection rules in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

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 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

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.

Work may include:

track work carried out in the state/territory concerned and covered by the safeworking system applicable in that state or territory. Work carried out on the Defined Interstate Rail Network is covered by separate competency units and relates to the Code of Practice for the Defined Interstate Rail Network

Operations may be conducted:

by day or night

in both normal and emergency situations

under all possible 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

Terminology and related meanings will be:

as defined within the relevant state/territory safeworking system

Track protection rules will be:

as defined within relevant the state/territory safeworking system

Where applicable, work site safety plans will be:

as defined within the relevant state/territory safeworking system

Equipment may include:

flags

detonators

stands

stop signs

speed boards

whistles

lamps

Communications equipment may include but is not limited to:

hand-held or portable equipment

fixed equipment

portable equipment belt and harness

specialised testing facilities

Radio, hand, light and flag commands will be:

as defined within the relevant state/territory safeworking system

Safety clothing and equipment may include but is not limited to:

high visibility clothing

sunscreen and sunglasses

insect repellent

safety glasses, headwear, mask, footwear and gloves

hearing protection

safety devices

lighting including strobe lighting

hand tools

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Depending on the workplace context concerned, documentation/records may include but are not limited to:

the relevant rules and regulations of the applicable state/territory safeworking system

instructions of relevant rail authorities concerning rail safety and operations

workplace procedures, policies and work instructions

work orders

technical instructions

worksite safety plan (where applicable)

Emergency Response Plan (ER Plan) and emergency procedure manuals

train running information (TRI)

local instructions

safeworking forms

manufacturers or workplace equipment instructions and operation manuals

two-way radio operation procedures

QA plans, data and document control

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

Applicable regulations and legislation 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

relevant Australian Standards and related requirements including AS4292

relevant state/territory OH&S regulations

state, federal or territory environmental protection legislation

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

relevant national and state/territory dangerous goods legislation

This unit contains employability skills.