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 routine operational principles and procedures to the understanding of fundamentals of track maintenance and construction as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Identify track and structures terminology

1.1 Basic terminology for track and structures infrastructure is identified

1.2 Features of track geometry are identified

2Identify track components

2.1 Principal track components are identified and their purpose is understood

2.2 Principal turnout components are identified and their purpose is understood

3Identify track tools and equipment

3.1 Tools and equipment for track installation and maintenance are identified

3.2 Track machines for track installation and maintenance are identified

4Undertake basic track measurement

4.1 Basic terminology for track measurement is identified and defined

4.2 Measuring equipment is identified and relevant equipment is selected for taking basic track measurements

4.3 Measuring equipment is checked for accuracy

4.4 Measurements are taken accurately and recorded in accordance with workplace requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge:

Relevant safety, OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

Workplace procedures for the basic measurement of track

Problems that may occur during the basic measurement of track, and action that can be taken to report or resolve the problems

Hazards that may exist when taking basic track measurements, and ways of controlling the risks involved

Track terms

Fundamentals of track structures

Fundamentals of track layout and geometry

Track components

Tools and equipment used in track construction and repair

Relevant communication systems and procedures

Authorisation/approval processes and procedures

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when taking basic track measurements

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information, technical data, standards and drawings relevant to taking basic track measurements

Interpret and follow operational instructions

Complete documentation related to basic track measurement

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may be identified when taking basic track measurements in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unexpected events when taking basic track measurements

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

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 goods or equipment

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

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

Select equipment used for basic track measurement

Undertake basic track measurement

Identify basic track tools and equipment

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

Assessment must include exercises which demonstrate competent performance of the following in a range of situations:

identifying a range of track terminology

identifying a number of different track components

identifying track tools and equipment relevant to their job role

undertaking basic track measurements

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.

Operations may be conducted:

by day or night

in all weather conditions

Work may be conducted in:

restricted spaces

exposed conditions

controlled or open environments

Work may involve exposure to:

chemicals

dangerous or hazardous substances

movements of equipment, materials and vehicles

Basic track measurements may include:

length, depth, width, diameter

gauge, foot gauge

alignment, superelevation, track centres

rail gaps, rail temperature

Measuring equipment may include:

tape measures

gauge boards

stringline

plumb bob

gap gauge

rail thermometer

Tools and equipment may include:

mechanical handling/lifting equipment

track machines

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

rail tensors

cutting and boring equipment

fastening equipment

on-track equipment including sleeper spacers

rail heaters

rail threaders

dog pullers

Track components may include:

rails, rail fastenings and welds

sleepers and sleeper fastenings

ballast

formation and earthworks

Track layout may include:

plain track

turnouts

special trackwork including catchpoints, expansion switches, diamond crossings and slips

Basic track geometry may include:

tangent track

curves

transitions

superelevation

Track maintenance and construction methods may include:

basic fettling

resleepering

rerailing

ballasting

track resurfacing

ballast cleaning

rail grinding

concrete sleeper laying

Liaison may include:

internal or external personnel from other work areas (e.g. train controllers)

Communication equipment may include:

two-way radios

telephones/mobile phones

agreed audible or hand signal

Depending on work context, safety and personal protective equipment may include:

high visibility clothing

hearing protection

gloves

sunscreen

sunglasses

safety glasses

insect repellent

safety headwear

safety footwear

portable radios/mobile phones

hand lamps

flags

safety devices

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

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Information/documents may include:

operational instructions, policies and workplace procedures

local authority regulations and procedures

works orders

information provided by other workplace personnel

rail inspections and timekeeping records

trackworker standard manual

bridge workers manual

technical instructions

manufacturers or workplace equipment operation manuals and specifications

emergency procedure manuals

two-way radio/mobile phone 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:

legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each applicable state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines

relevant Australian Standards and related requirements including AS 4292

local authority regulations

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.