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 that demonstrate competent performance of the following in a range of situations:

examining rail joints to determine defects and selecting appropriate repair methods

checking component parts and carrying out appropriate maintenance activities

completing documentation to organisational 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

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment

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

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

Required knowledge:

Authorisation/approval processes and procedures

Documentation requirements

Fundamentals of track structures relating to rail joints

Hazards that may exist when maintaining rail joints, and ways of controlling the risks involved

Problems that may occur when maintaining rail joints, and action that can be taken to report or resolve them

Rail joint components

Rail joint defects

Relevant communication systems and procedures

Relevant safety, occupational health and safety (OH&S) and environmental procedures and regulations

Track standards relating to rail joints

Workplace procedures for maintaining rail joints

Required skills:

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate potential hazards during work activities

Communicate effectively with others when maintaining rail joints

Complete documentation related to maintaining rail joints

Determine specifications using appropriate numeric functions

Identify and locate parameters or components of rail joints requiring adjustment or replacement

Modify activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

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

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocols

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information, technical data, standards and drawings relating to maintaining rail joints

Report and rectify within limits of own role, problems, faults and malfunctions identified when maintaining rail joints in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Select and use hand tools, power tools and equipment

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

Use relevant plant and mechanised equipment

Work collaboratively with others when maintaining rail joints

Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

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:

mechanical handling and lifting equipment

track machines

hand tools, including impact or tension wrenches, grinders, friction rail saws, rail punches, rail borers, tie tampers, gauges, track jacks, spiking hammers and bars

rail tensors

fastening equipment

oxy-acetylene equipment

Materials may include:

resilient and static fastenings

sleeper plates or pads

anchors

bolts

nuts

washer clips

shims

fishplates

swage fastenings

Rail joint parts and surroundings to be checked may include:

joint insulation

expansion gap

fishplates

fish bolts

sleepers

sleeper fastening

rail anchoring and rail bonds

track geometry

Fastenings may include:

pandrol clips, fist fastenings, Trac Lok or Rex Lock

dog spikes and dog screws

bolts, spring washers and nuts

double shouldered sleeper plates

insulated sleeper pads

Types of rail joint may include:

mechanical joints

mechanical junction joints

insulated mechanical joints

insulated plate joints

bow plates

bonded insulated joints

Rail ends on curves may require:

bending (also known as pressing or crowing)

Special transitional rail joints may be:

required between changes of mass/wear

Liaison may include:

internal or external personnel from other work areas, such as train controllers and electricians

Communication systems may include:

two-way radios

telephones, including mobile phones

agreed audible or hand signals

Depending on work context, safety and PPE may include:

high visibility clothing

hearing protection

gloves

sunscreen

sunglasses

safety glasses

insect repellent

safety headwear

safety footwear

portable radios and mobile phones

hand lamps

flags

safety devices

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, organisational procedures may be known as:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

workplace procedures

established procedure