Application
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 visual inspection of the railway track infrastructure as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system. |
Prerequisites
Not Applicable
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1Patrol track infrastructure | 1.1 Appropriate inspection method is employed to conduct visual examinations of track and right of way for the identification of defects 1.2 Visual examinations are performed in accordance with workplace procedures and in line with inspection schedules 1.3 Variations from allowable tolerances, defects and deficiencies likely to affect train safety are identified to enable appropriate action to be taken on the repairs required 1.4 Unsatisfactory conditions are assessed in terms of seriousness and priority |
2Record and document defects | 2.1 Appropriate action is taken to safeguard operation of the rail system 2.2 Inspection schedule or work report data is completed in accordance with workplace procedures 2.3 Defects and deficiencies are reported to enable repairs to be effected in a timely manner |
Required Skills
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 visual inspection of track and right of way |
Problems that may occur during the visual inspection of track and right of way, and action that can be taken to report or resolve the problems |
Hazards that may exist when visually inspecting track and right of way, and ways of controlling the risks involved |
Contents of relevant technical specifications and manuals |
Track and right of way standards |
Different types of track and right of way defects |
Defect deterioration under differing operating conditions |
Visible rail defect types |
Techniques for prioritising defect rectification |
Fault identification and analysis techniques |
Emergency procedures |
Details of local authority procedures |
Required skills: |
Communicate effectively with others when visually inspecting track and right of way |
Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the visual inspection of track and right of way |
Identify different types of track and right of way defects |
Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work |
Complete documentation related to the visual inspection of track and right of way |
Record and report results of visual inspection of track and right of way in required format |
Operate communication equipment to required protocol |
Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions when visually inspecting track and right of way in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures |
Implement contingency plans for unexpected events during the visual inspection of track and right of way |
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 |
Identify, select and use tools and equipment |
Evidence Required
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: patrolling the track and right of way infrastructure recording and documenting identified defects to workplace standards |
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 |
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. | |
Operations may be conducted: | by day or night in all weather conditions |
Work may be conducted in: | restricted spaces or exposed conditions controlled or open environments |
Work may involve: | exposure to chemicals, and dangerous or hazardous substances movements of equipment, goods and vehicles |
Track and right of way infrastructure may include: | track geometry track components turnouts formation drainage earthworks clearances trackside signs fencing |
Patrol methods may include: | walking engine road/rail vehicle track vehicle |
Patrol inspections may include: | scheduled patrol patrol in abnormal weather (heat, cold, wet etc.) special patrols as directed |
Faults may include: | track geometry defects (top, twist, line, gauge) pumping or unstable track obstructions to train movements obstructions to the wheel path of the train defective or broken rails, joints, breakaways, and loose or foul joints, fishbolts and fishplates failures of sleepers, transoms and fastenings breaches of fencing and ineffective safety barriers missing or incorrect speed signs track formation, cutting or embankment failure failed or ineffective drainage ballast deficiencies and foul ballast crossing and switch failures |
Tools may include: | hand tools small plant |
Depending on the type and seriousness of identified defects, appropriate action may include: | stop trains speed restrictions immediate repair action report for programmed repair action monitor for further deterioration |
Liaison may include: | internal or external personnel from other work areas |
Communication equipment may include: | two-way radios telephones/mobile phones agreed audible or hand signals |
Information may be provided: | electronically in writing, via forms/documents orally, via face-to-face communications |
Safety and personal protective equipment may include: | high visibility clothing hearing protection gloves sunscreen sunglasses safety glasses dust mask insect repellent safety headwear safety footwear portable radio/mobile phone 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: | maintenance notices, records and requests local authority regulations and procedures work orders technical instructions QA plans, data and document control local instructions manufacturers or workplace equipment operation manuals operational instructions, policies and workplace procedures emergency procedure manuals two-way radio/mobile phone operation procedures emergency procedures manual conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards |
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 Australian Standards and related requirements, including AS 4292 relevant state/territory OH&S legislation relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation |
Sectors
Not Applicable
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor