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 checking and repairing of track geometry as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Determine job requirements

1.1 Faults and deficiencies in track geometry are identified, and work required for restoration of track to required standard is determined

1.2 Appropriate repair methods are identified to enable repairs to be effected

1.3 Job requirements and resources are determined in accordance with workplace procedures and as per scope of work

2Restore track geometry

2.1 Survey data are used where required to establish correct geometry

2.2 Appropriate lifting and lining methods and equipment are used to lift and line track to restore running surface to required geometry in accordance with workplace standards and procedures

3Certify track after work

3.1 Track geometry is checked for compliance with acceptance standards

3.2 Vertical and horizontal structural and overhead clearances are checked against required standards to allow safe passage of trains

3.3 Track structure where work has been undertaken is checked for compliance to standards required to enable reinstatement of service

3.4 Appropriate operating conditions are applied in accordance with workplace procedures

4Complete documentation

4.1 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 checking and repair of track geometry

Problems that may occur when carrying out work activities to check and repair track geometry, and action that can be taken to report or resolve the problems

Hazards that may exist when carrying out work activities to check and repair track geometry, and ways of controlling the risks involved

Relevant Australian Standards, technical specifications and manuals

Documentation/authorisation processes and procedures

Fault detection techniques

Track geometry maintenance methods and techniques

Defects in track structure (sleeper condition, spacing, fastening condition, rail joint condition, ballast profile and packing) that can affect safe operation

Clearance defects that can affect safe operation

Defects in earthworks that can affect safe operation

Track stability and the work requirements for differing weather conditions

Track geometry acceptance standards

Track certification techniques

Organisational requirements/regulations

Relevant records procedures

Procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency

Details of relevant local authority procedures

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when carrying out work activities to check and repair track geometry

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information, plans, drawings and specifications relevant to work activities to check and repair track geometry

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to work activities to check and repair track geometry

Record and report results of track work in required format

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems when carrying out work activities in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Plan and organise work

Implement contingency plans for unexpected events when carrying out work activities

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

Adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

Identify, select and use tools and equipment required in work activities to check and repair track geometry

Select and use required personal protective equipment

Identify track geometry defects

Determine work requirements and work methods

Select and use appropriate lifting and lining methods and equipment to correct geometry defects

Use appropriate measurement methods to assess and correct geometry defects

Identify defects in track structure (sleeper condition, spacing, fastening condition, rail joint condition, ballast profile and packing) affecting safe operation

Identify structure and track centre clearance defects affecting safe operation

Identify defects in earthworks affecting safe operation

Assess defects against acceptance standards and apply appropriate restrictions

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:

identifying a number of different faults and deficiencies

correctly determining appropriate repair methods for identified faults

using appropriate lifting and lining methods and equipment to restore running surface to required geometry

after work is completed, certifying track to operational standards

completing documentation in accordance with standards and workplace procedures

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, and dangerous or hazardous substances

movements of equipment, goods and vehicles

Ballasted track geometry to be checked and repaired may include:

plain track

turnouts and special trackwork

Track geometry repair methods may include:

manual fettling with hand tools and light equipment

manual fettling with small on-track or off-track plant (spot tampers etc.)

resurfacing with large on-track plant

Manual fettling includes:

any operation where measurement of geometry (before and after) is conducted by hand-held equipment and lifts and pulls are manually calculated

Resurfacing operations include:

any operation where measurements and calculations of lifts and pulls are carried out automatically or semi-automatically by resurfacing plant

Equipment may include:

mechanical lifting and handling devices

basic hand tools and small plant

track jacks

on-track machines (tampers, liners, regulators, etc.)

manual and electronic measuring equipment

Certifying track after work includes any of the the following works:

erection of any structure adjacent to or over the track (safe clearances)

Reinstatement of service may include:

unrestricted operation of rail traffic

operation under speed restriction

restricted clearance operation

operation under tonnage restrictions

Liaison may include:

internal or external personnel from other work areas

Communication equipment systems may include:

two-way radios

telephones/mobile phones

agreed audible or hand signals

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 personal protective equipment may include:

high visibility clothing

hearing protection

gloves

sunscreen

sunglasses

dust mask

safety glasses

insect repellent

safety headwear

safety footwear

portable radio/mobile phone

hand lamps

flags

safety devices

Information/documents may include:

maintenance notices, records and requests

local instructions

local authority regulations and procedures

work orders

technical instructions

manufacturers or workplace equipment operation manuals

operational instructions, policies and workplace procedures

two-way radio/mobile phone operation procedures

emergency procedures manual

QA plans, data and document control

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

Information may be provided:

electronically

in writing, via forms/documents/plans

orally, via face-to-face communications

via trackside signals

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.