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 maintenance of mechanical signalling locking and interlocking devices as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Diagnose locking/interlocking equipment faults

1.1 Out-of-specification or non-operating mechanical locking and interlocking signalling equipment /components are correctly identified through operational testing

1.2 Viability of adjustments/replacements/repairs to equipment/components is correctly evaluated to ensure cost effective operations

1.3 Work is planned to ensure minimum disruption to train operations and safe repair activities

1.4 Support/assistance with diagnosis or repair operations is obtained through liaison with appropriate personnel

2Correct equipment faults

2.1 Mechanical locking and interlocking signalling equipment and component cleaning/lubrication and adjustment is performed to specifications to ensure required level of operations

2.2 Equipment and components are replaced or repaired as per operational specifications to ensure required level of operations

2.3 Viability of repairs to replaced equipment/components is evaluated and equipment tagged for repair or disposed of in line with workplace requirements

2.4 Liaison with or support to other personnel is maintained to ensure equipment is maintained within specification

3Test and adjust locking/interlocking equipment

3.1 All locking/interlocking equipment functions are tested to ensure operational compliance with required standards

3.2 Final cleaning, lubricating and adjustments to equipment are carried out to ensure operational compliance

3.3 Equipment is locked/secured as specified to ensure safety and protection from elements or persons

3.4 Records of repair activities are correctly completed and forwarded to appropriate personnel for use in identifying future maintenance requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

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

Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

Workplace procedures for the repair and adjustment of mechanical locking and interlocking signalling equipment

Problems that may occur during the repair and adjustment of mechanical locking and interlocking signalling equipment and action that can be taken to report or resolve the problems

Hazards that may exist when repairing and adjusting mechanical locking and interlocking signalling equipment and ways of controlling the risks involved

Contents of technical specifications and manuals

Documentation/authorisation processes and procedures

Track layout

Material safety data sheets

Mechanical fitting techniques

Workshop facilities, personnel and manufacturing/repair capabilities

Overview of other operations and personnel (i.e. non-mechanical)

Material procurement procedures

Principles of railway signalling, particularly those dealing with mechanical locking and interlocking equipment

Use of chemicals, solvents and lubricants

Fault detection techniques

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when repairing and adjusting mechanical locking and interlocking signalling equipment

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the repair and adjustment of mechanical locking and interlocking signalling equipment

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to the repair and adjustment of mechanical locking and interlocking signalling equipment

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when repairing and adjusting mechanical locking and interlocking signalling equipment

Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may occur when repairing and adjusting mechanical locking and interlocking signalling equipment in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unexpected events when repairing and adjusting mechanical locking and interlocking signalling equipment

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

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

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

Operate mechanical locking and interlocking signalling equipment

Correctly use protective paints and lubricants including appropriate painting techniques

Select and use hand, portable, power and air tools

Repair and replace mechanical locking and interlocking equipment

Apply relevant test procedures

Operate mechanical signalling 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

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 relevant weather conditions

Equipment may include:

both locking and interlocking equipment including:

signals

points equipment

ground frames

level crossing and tramway crossing mechanisms

frames

rods

bars

platforms

structures

housings

boxes

signage

Repairs may include:

filing

grinding

replacement of components including:

bushes

pivot pins

gears

wear plates

welding

joining

Adjustments may include:

designed adjustment components

shimming

checking of clearances and tolerances

Cleaning and lubrication includes:

all cleaning operations by hand, chemical or steam cleaning

the application of protective paints or sealing agents

the application of lubricating oils and greases

Operational compliance includes:

manufacturers or workplace specifications for functional movements, operations and outcomes

Liaison may include:

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

Tools and equipment may include:

hand tools

portable power generators

air compressors

measuring rules

gauges

Communication equipment may include:

two-way radios

telephones

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

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Safety and protective equipment may include:

high visibility clothing

hearing protection

gloves

sunscreen

sunglasses

safety glasses

insect repellent

safety headwear

safety footwear

portable radios

hand lamps

flags

safety devices

Information/documents may include:

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

relevant log or record books

maintenance notices, records and requests

local instructions

manufacturers or workplace equipment operation manuals

operational instructions, policies and workplace procedures

emergency procedure manuals

two-way radio operation procedures

emergency procedures manual

conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

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

relevant Australian Standards and related requirements

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.