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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Assist with preparing for shunting operation
  2. Shunting requirements are confirmed through workplace documents and/or relevant personnel
  3. Local safety requirements are identified and followed in accordance with workplace procedures
  4. Hazards are identified, risks are assessed and risk control measures are implemented
  5. Relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements are followed to prevent injury and damage
  6. Assist with shunting trains
  7. Points, levers, and/or switches are operated in accordance with workplace requirements as required
  8. Audible signals, hand signals and other line of sight communications are used to assist control of train movements
  9. Hand, light and radio shunting commands used are responded to in accordance with workplace requirements
  10. Premovement inspection/tests are carried out prior to moving trains
  11. Assist with coupling trains
  12. Type of connections required are identified prior to coupling
  13. Trains to be coupled are positioned in accordance with operating procedures and workplace requirements, to ensure couplers are aligned and in the appropriate position for type of connection required
  14. All safety requirements are met prior to coupling trains
  15. After trains are coupled, postcoupling inspection/tests are carried out in accordance with operating procedures and workplace requirements
  16. Assist with uncoupling trains
  17. Train to be uncoupled is identified and checks are made to ensure all safety requirements are met prior to uncoupling
  18. Train is uncoupled in accordance with operating procedures and workplace requirements
  19. Postuncoupling inspection/tests are carried out in accordance with operating procedures and workplace requirements
  20. Use coupling adaptor
  21. Situations requiring the use of a coupling adaptor are identified in accordance with workplace procedures
  22. Coupling adaptor is accessed and transported to required location for use
  23. All safety requirements are met prior to fitting coupling adaptor
  24. Coupling adaptor is attached to one of the trains prior to coupling in accordance with workplace procedures
  25. Trains are coupled in accordance with workplace procedures and coupling adaptor is secured in place
  26. Postcoupling inspection/tests and/or procedures are carried out in accordance with operating procedures and workplace 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 two separate occasions and in two separate locations and include:

applying relevant safeworking and workplace procedures

assisting with shunting trains in more than one location including sidings and depots/yards

carrying out preshunting checks in accordance with workplace procedures

communicating effectively with others

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

implementing contingency plans

interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work

modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule

reading and interpreting relevant instructions, procedures, information and signs

reporting and/or rectifying identified problems, faults or malfunctions defects promptly, in accordance with 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:

communications protocols

coupling systems, their components and their operation

diagnostic techniques relating to shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains

emergency procedures

relevant rail danger zones

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

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

shunting workplace procedures and requirements

types of couplers and their purpose

types of coupling adaptors and their purpose.