This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to inspect poles and associated hardware in accordance with safeworking and regulatory requirements, and workplace procedures.

It includes planning and preparing for inspection, conducting inspection of poles and associated hardware, and completing inspection.

People achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable state/territory legislated rail safety requirements and to comply with relevant codes of practice and/or guidelines.

Work is performed under minimal supervision, generally within a team environment. It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures when inspecting poles and associated hardware, as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Plan and prepare for inspection

1.1

Inspection program or works order is received/accessed, analysed and confirmed as required by site inspection

1.2

Resources required for the job are identified and scheduled

1.3

Hazards are identified, risks are assessed and control measures are implemented

1.4

Liaison and communication issues are resolved

1.5

Personnel participating in task, including plant operators and contractors, are fully briefed

2

Conduct inspection of poles and associated hardware

2.1

Worksite requirements are confirmed by site inspection

2.2

Road signs, barriers and warning devices are positioned, and worksite protection is provided

2.3

Safeworking rules are observed within the rail corridor

2.4

Pole structures, including foundations and hardware, are inspected by test or examination against approved specifications

3

Complete the inspection

3.1

Worksite is rehabilitated, and work is completed in an agreed time with minimum waste

3.2

Inspection reports are completed, pole records are updated and documentation is processed in accordance with workplace procedures

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 one occasion and include:

adapting to differences in equipment in accordance with operating procedures

applying relevant workplace procedures

communicating effectively with others

communicating plans, intentions and safety criteria to other workers (including plant operators and contractors) prior to work commencing

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 technical instructions and manuals, procedures, information and signs

reporting and/or rectifying identified problems, faults or malfunctions promptly, in accordance with workplace procedures

selecting and using appropriate pole testing equipment

working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment.

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:

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

characteristics, capabilities, uses, limitations and location standards of different types of poles

diagnostic and fault finding techniques relevant to inspecting poles and associated hardware

hazards that may exist when inspecting poles and associated hardware, and ways of controlling the risks involved

mechanical principles related to structures

pole maintenance techniques and processes

problems that may occur when inspecting poles and associated hardware, and action that can be taken to report or resolve these problems

relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental procedures and regulations, including WHS/OHS instructions related to inspecting poles and associated hardware

soil types and stabilisation processes

workplace documentation and records systems related to pole management

workplace instructions that relate to pole quality and chemical treatment in accordance with safety data sheets (SDSs)/material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and/or manufacturer instructions

workplace procedures for inspecting poles and associated hardware

workplace requirements for traffic control and guidance signals for planned operations.