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 installing and maintaining rail joints as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

Operators of mechanised equipment must have undertaken training and, where appropriate, hold the relevant licence, permit or certificate and be recognised as competent for the class of machinery being used.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Identify and determine parameters or components that require adjustment

1.1 Rail joint condition, component, fastening and anchoring defects affecting rail joints are identified in accordance with workplace procedures

1.2 Appropriate repair method is selected to ensure rail joint meets specifications

1.3 Scope of work is determined and resources are arranged

2Install rail joint

2.1 Location of rail joint is determined

2.2 Rail is cut and correct rail gap is established for joint type (mechanical or insulated)

2.3 Rail ends are bent (if required) in accordance with workplace procedures

2.4 Bolt holes are bored to meet joint specification

2.5 Joint is assembled to meet specification

3Maintain rail joint

3.1 Surfaces and component parts are checked for insulation, lubrication, correct spacing and correct installation in accordance with specifications and work procedures

3.2 Rail joint is maintained to specifications following workplace procedures

4Complete documentation

4.1 Required documentation is completed in accordance with workplace procedures

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 installing and maintaining rail joints

Problems that may occur when installing and maintaining rail joints, and action that can be taken to report or resolve the problems

Hazards that may exist when installing and maintaining rail joints, and ways of controlling the risks involved

Fundamentals of track structures relating to rail joints

Track standards relating to rail joints

Rail joint components

Rail joint defects

Relevant communication systems and procedures

Authorisation/approval processes and procedures

Documentation requirements

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when installing and maintaining rail joints

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information, technical data, standards and drawings relevant to installing and maintaining rail joints

Interpret and follow operational instructions

Complete documentation related to installing and maintaining rail joints

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocols

Work collaboratively with others when installing and maintaining rail joints

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may be identified when installing and maintaining rail joints in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

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 and use hand tools, power tools and equipment

Identify/locate parameters or components of rail joints requiring adjustment or replacement

Adjust and repair rail joints

Install rail joints

Use relevant plant and mechanised 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:

examining rail joints to determine defects and selecting appropriate repair methods

installing rail joints correctly

checking component parts and carrying out appropriate maintenance activities

completing documentation to organisational 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 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

Equipment may include:

mechanical handling/lifting equipment

track machines

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

rail tensors

fastening equipment

oxy/acetylene equipment

Materials may include:

resilient and/or static fastenings

sleeper plates/pads

anchors

bolts

nuts

washer clips

shims

fish plates

swage fastenings

Rail joint parts and surroundings to be checked may include:

joint insulation

expansion gap

fishplates

fishbolts

sleeper

sleeper fastening

rail anchoring and rail bonds

track geometry

Fastenings may include:

pandrol clips, fist fastenings, Trak Lok, Rex lock

dogspikes/dog screws

bolts, spring washers, nuts

double shouldered sleeper plates

insulated sleeper pads

Types of rail joint may include:

mechanical joint

mechanical junction joints

insulated mechanical joint

insulated plate joints

bow plates

bonded insulated joint

Rail ends on curves may require:

bending (also known as pressing or crowing)

Special transitional rail joints may be:

required between changes of mass/wear

Liaison may include:

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

Communication systems may include:

two-way radios

telephones/mobile phones

agreed audible or hand signals

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

information provided by other workplace personnel

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 procedures and codes 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.