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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan and prepare for shunting operation
  2. Shunting requirements are interpreted and clarified, and vehicles and equipment are obtained and prepared in accordance with shunting strategy
  3. Rolling stock movements, availability and locations are established to determine appropriate siding and/or track locations for vehicle placement
  4. Relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation, codes of practice, organisational policies and procedures, and safeworking systems and requirements related to shunting are identified
  5. Carry out shunting control procedures
  6. Points, levers, switches, signals and line of sight communications are used to assist the control of rolling stock movement
  7. Uniform hand signals, light and radio shunting commands that conform with operational rules and statutory requirements are used
  8. Relevant WHS/OHS requirements are followed to prevent injury and damage
  9. Wagon cards are checked and wagons are obtained and sorted to comply with shunting requirements
  10. Shunting control techniques are applied to prevent damage of rolling stock and loads/contents
  11. Shunt rolling stock
  12. Workplace procedures for shunting are identified and applied
  13. Rolling stock is positioned to meet shunting requirements
  14. Coupling systems are identified and applied to attach and detach rolling stock
  15. Connecting brake hoses, electrical couplings and hand brakes are connected/disconnected and applied/released in accordance with operational and WHS/OHS requirements
  16. Rolling stock is shunted with the minimum of necessary moves within governing safety requirements and limitations
  17. Finalise train consist
  18. Train consists are made up in accordance with operational procedures and timetabling requirements
  19. Irregularities and defects with rolling stock equipment are reported in accordance with operational requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

checking draw gear, vehicle and equipment in terms of service schedule and operating procedures

communicating effectively with others

completing relevant documentation

displaying and correctly interpreting hand, light and radio signals in accordance with workplace procedures

identifying job hazards and taking required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards

implementing contingency plans

interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritise work

modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

monitoring condition and performance of equipment and taking appropriate action as required

monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule

operating and adapting to differences in equipment in accordance with operating procedures

operating electronic communications equipment to required protocol

reading and interpreting relevant instructions, procedures, information and signs

reporting and/or rectifying identified problems, faults or malfunctions promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

working collaboratively with others

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


Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

applicable state/territory legislated rail safety requirements, relevant codes of practice and/or guidelines

characteristics and features of wagons and other rolling stock

defects that can occur on a shunting gear and equipment and related action that should be taken

draw gear capacities and related operating procedures

emergency procedures

loading and unloading procedures

location and operation of signals and points

principles of operation of protective devices, air brakes, handbrakes, derailers

procedures for coupling and uncoupling rolling stock

procedures for identifying and reporting hazards

procedures for operating points and signals

radio communications protocol

relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental procedures and regulations including codes of practice

safeworking systems and rule requirements

shunting plan and instructions

shunting signals and commands and line of sight communications systems

track and signal layouts and features in yard.