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 minimal supervision, generally within a team environment. It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures to the installation and maintenance of guard rails as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Determine job requirements

1.1 Worksite is identified

1.2 Obstructions are cleared from gangways/flangeways to ensure safe passage of trains

1.3 Installation, replacement or repair method is selected to meet work requirements in accordance with worksite standards and procedures

1.4 Plant, equipment and materials are prepared for work

2Install guard rail

2.1 Existing rail is removed, if required, to enable fitting of new rail

2.2 New or replacement guard rail is installed to standards using suitable equipment and fastening system to restore functionality of guard rail

2.3 Final job is checked for compliance to standards to enable services to be restored safely

3Complete documentation

3.1 Documentation on work undertaken is completed 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 installation and maintenance of guard rails

Problems that may occur during the installation and maintenance of guard rails, and action that can be taken to report or resolve the problems

Hazards that may exist when carrying out the installation and maintenance of guard rails, and ways of controlling the risks involved

Principles of guard rail function

Guard rail installation and maintenance techniques and processes

Technical manuals and instructions which relate to the installation and maintenance of guard rails

Standards applicable to use of guard rails

Emergency procedures

Required skills:

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the installation and maintenance of guard rails

Interpret and follow operational instructions

Complete documentation related to the installation and maintenance of guard rails

Operate communication systems to required protocol

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may occur when carrying out the installation and maintenance of guard rails in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unexpected events

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 materials or equipment

Select appropriate material for guard rails

Install and remove guard rails

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

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:

installing or maintaining the guard rails on underbridges, level crossings in open track

ensuring completed work meets track geometry 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, 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 involve:

exposure to chemicals, and dangerous or hazardous substances

movements of equipment, goods and vehicles

Guard rails include:

guard rails installed on level crossings and sharp curves to prevent derailment

guard rails installed on underbridges and near vulnerable structures to limit lateral movement of derailed wagons

Types of guard rail may vary according to:

rail mass

rail type

bearer type

location of guard rail (between the running rails or outside the running rails)

Tools may include:

rail tongs

mechanical lifting and handling devices

hand tools

small plant

on-track equipment (e.g. dog puller)

Materials may include:

fastening components

new or part worn rail for guard rails

special steel section guard rails

splay rails

specially fabricated 'vee'

Liaison may include:

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

Work may involve:

exposure to chemicals, dangerous or hazardous substances

movements of equipment, materials and vehicles

Communication equipment systems may include:

two-way radios

telephones/mobile phones

agreed audible or hand signal

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

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

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

Information/documents may include:

operational instructions, policies and workplace procedures

local authority regulations and procedures

notices, records and requests

work orders

technical instructions

manufacturers or workplace equipment instructions and operation manuals

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 state/territory regulations, codes of practice and safeworking system requirements

relevant Australian Standards and related requirements, including AS 4292

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.