Work is performed under minimal supervision, generally in 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

1 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 organisational 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

2 Install rail joint

2.1 Location of rail joint is determined

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

2.3 Rail ends are bent if required in accordance with organisational procedures

2.4 Bolt holes are bored to meet joint specification

2.5 Joint is assembled to meet specification

3 Check and maintain rail joint

3.1 Surfaces and component parts are checked in accordance with specifications and organisational procedures

3.2 Rail joint is maintained to specifications following organisational procedures

4 Complete documentation

4.1 Required documentation is completed in accordance with organisational 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 them

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 relating to installing and maintaining rail joints

Complete documentation related to installing and maintaining rail joints

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocols

Determine specifications using appropriate numeric functions

Work collaboratively with others when installing and maintaining rail joints

Report and rectify within limits of own role problems, faults and malfunctions 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 potential hazards 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 (PPE) conforming to industry and OH&S standards

Select and use hand tools, power tools and equipment

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

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 that 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

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment

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, and/or

in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

RANGE STATEMENT

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Equipment may include:

mechanical handling and 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 static fastenings

sleeper plates or pads

anchors

bolts

nuts

washer clips

shims

fishplates

swage fastenings

Rail joint parts and surroundings to be checked may include:

joint insulation

expansion gap

fishplates

fish bolts

sleepers

sleeper fastening

rail anchoring and rail bonds

track geometry

Fastenings may include:

pandrol clips, fist fastenings, Trac Lok or Rex Lock

dog spikes and dog screws

bolts, spring washers and nuts

double shouldered sleeper plates

insulated sleeper pads

Types of rail joint may include:

mechanical joints

mechanical junction joints

insulated mechanical joints

insulated plate joints

bow plates

bonded insulated joints

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, such as train controllers and electricians

Communication systems may include:

two-way radios

telephones, including mobile phones

agreed audible or hand signals

Depending on work context, safety and PPE may include:

high visibility clothing

hearing protection

gloves

sunscreen

sunglasses

safety glasses

insect repellent

safety headwear

safety footwear

portable radios and mobile phones

hand lamps

flags

safety devices

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, organisational procedures may be known as:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

workplace procedures

established procedure

This unit contains employability skills.