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:

identifying complexity of track work activity

conducting a visual assessment of the characteristics of track worksite

determining type of track protection required

preparing worksite protection plan

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/or

in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

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

Characteristics of track worksites

Operational communication protocols and systems

Positioning requirements for handsignallers

Rail terminology as defined by the applicable Access Provider

Railway track signals and their use, if applicable

Types of track protection

Types of worksite protection equipment and their use

Work activity complexity

Worksite protection plans

Required skills:

Analyse track work activities for complexity

Communicate effectively with individuals and work groups

Follow rules and procedures

Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

Prepare site protection arrangements plans

Use required personal protective equipment conforming to Access Provider requirements

Visually assess a track worksite

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 Access Provider

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

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 signals and audible commands

audible warning signal

two way radio

telephone/mobile phone

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

signs

railway track signals

demarcation barriers

lights and flags

electronic devices

Information and documents may include:

workplace procedures, policies and work instructions

emergency plan

pre-work briefing

worksite protection plan

Complexity of work activity may include:

type of work to be undertaken

hand tools to be used

track vehicles/track machines

machinery

number of work groups

rail traffic within or between worksite/s

Characteristics of track worksite may include:

location

cuttings and embankments

speed and density of adjacent traffic

parallel networks

electrified network

track circuits

level and pedestrian crossings

limits of worksite

visibility

how the work may affect track under the control of other access providers

multiple work activities

Types of track protection may include:

lookout

track occupancy authority (TOA)

track work authority (TWA)

local possession authority (LPA)

absolute signal blocking (ASB)

electronic authority system blocking (EASB)

Worksite protection plan may include:

defining the authorities boundaries

identifying safe places

identifying positions for inner/outer handsignaller and lookouts

identifying level and pedestrian crossings

identifying fixed rail infrastructure including:

signals

overhead structures

bridges/tunnels

turn outs

minimum sighting distances