Persons achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from the applicable state or territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines.

It involves the application of access provider's policies, procedures and protocols related to applying rail safety requirements to work activities.

Work is performed following established procedures, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes within the limits of responsibility of the worker concerned.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Access defined worksite

1.1 Authority to enter the defined worksite is confirmed with protection officer

1.2 Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn in accordance with access provider's and organisational requirements

1.3 Limits of the defined worksite and type of track protection provided are identified and confirmed

1.4 A situational awareness is maintained to identify local conditions and any changed circumstances

1.5 Communication with protection officer is maintained in accordance with the workplace procedures

2Run track vehicle within defined worksite

2.1 Permission for all rail movements within the worksite is obtained from the protection officer

2.2 Speed limit is observed for type or classification of track vehicle and type of track

2.3 Speed limit is varied to meet local conditions

2.4 Track vehicle is managed so as to be able to stop short of any workers or obstruction on track

2.5 Unsafe situations and/or emergencies are identified, and appropriate action is taken in accordance with workplace procedures

3Exit defined worksite

3.1 Protection officer is notified when exiting the defined worksite

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Access provider's and organisational policies, procedures and protocols

Rail terminology as defined by the applicable access provider

Access provider's policies, procedures and protocols in the event of identified unsafe situations or emergencies within workplace role

Operational communication protocols and systems

Types of track protection

Points and signals recognition

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with individuals and work groups

Follow workplace policies, procedures and protocols

Conduct a situational awareness assessment

Use required personal protective equipment conforming to organisational standards

Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

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

the timeframes typically expected for the work function and industrial environment

Compliance with site safety plans, OH&S regulations and other regulatory requirements

Assessment must include exercises which demonstrate competent performance of the following in a range of situations:

explaining how to safely access defined worksite

conducting a situational awareness

observing speed limit appropriate for type of vehicle, type of track and local conditions

demonstrating passing signals in accordance with workplace procedures

explaining appropriate response to identified unsafe situations and/or emergencies

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 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

Assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through activities in an appropriately simulated environment, and

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.

Worksites may include:

rail corridor

danger zone:

running line

parallel networks (adjacent access providers, shared corridor)

adjacent lines

sidings/yards

platforms/buildings

structures

Terminology will be:

as defined by the applicable track safeworking system and operating procedures

Work may occur:

by day or night, under varied weather conditions and situations

Situational awareness will be:

as defined within the workplace procedures

as defined in the risk assessment for situational awareness including:

view - line of sight

direction of approaching trains

speed of approaching trains

position of safety

changed local conditions

Communications may include:

receive and pass on verbal messages/information

report unsafe situations and respond to emergencies

general safety and emergency messages

Communications equipment and systems may include:

hand and audible signals

Safety clothing and equipment may include:

high visibility clothing

protective footwear

hearing protection

Where applicable, worksite protection equipment may include:

warning devices, whistles and sirens

audible track warning devices

demarcation barriers

lights and flags

electronic devices

Information and documents may include:

workplace procedures, policies and work instructions

worksite safety plan

emergency plan

pre-work briefing

worksite protection plan

Types of track protection may include:

lookout

track occupancy

rail traffic control

planned track possession

blocking protection

Defined worksite may be an area protected by:

track occupancy

controlled rail traffic

planned track possession

blocking protection

Type of vehicle may include:

road/rail

track machines

Type of track may include:

continuously welded rail

jointed rail

Varied local conditions may include:

gradients

line of sight

weather

condition of rail

multiple rail crews

multiple vehicles

This unit contains employability skills.