This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to propel and operate light on-track equipment as part of workplace activities across a variety of rail operational contexts.

It includes performing pre-operational equipment checks, obtaining approval to place equipment on track, operating light equipment on track and stabling or moving equipment off track.

Light on-track equipment is considered to be less than 10 tonnes that may be lifted on or off track mechanically and may include:

ballast scarifiers

dog screw setters/drivers

joint lifters

multi-spindle borers

power track jacks

profile grinders

rail-mounted compressors

small sleeper spacers

spike drivers

spike pullers (ride on)

various fastening applicators.

Light on-track equipment requires a basic operator skill level in manipulation, coordination, alignment and functional activity, with little complexity or variance in overall activity. This typically covers equipment carrying out basic repetitive and alignment type activities.

People achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable state/territory legislated rail safety requirements, to comply with relevant codes of practice and/or guidelines, and to meet organisational requirements to operate each individual piece of equipment.

Operators will need to have fulfilled licence and/or certification requirements for the type of equipment being used.

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

Perform pre-operational equipment checks

1.1

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

1.2

Detailed pre-operational equipment checks are conducted in accordance with manufacturer specifications and organisational procedures

1.3

Logbooks are checked and accurately completed as required, in accordance with organisational requirements and manufacturer specification

1.4

Problems with equipment are identified and rectified in accordance with workplace procedures

1.5

Identified problems are reported and documented in accordance with organisational procedures

2

Obtain approval to place equipment on track

2.1

Protection officer or person in charge of work (PICOW) is contacted to obtain approval to place light on-track equipment on track and to move it to designated location in accordance with network owner’s procedures

2.2

Communications with Network Control Officer is maintained using appropriate communications systems, in accordance with network owner procedures

2.3

Approval is recorded in accordance with organisational procedures

3

Operate light equipment on track

3.1

Equipment is travelled to designated location in accordance with network owner’s procedures

3.2

Equipment is prepared for work

3.3

Equipment is operated in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with relevant codes of practice, safeworking systems, manufacturer and organisational procedures

3.4

Equipment is operated to meet organisational standards and specifications

3.5

Warning systems are monitored and appropriately responded to as required during operation

4

Stable or off track equipment

4.1

Protection officer or PICOW is contacted to direct where and when to stable or off track equipment

4.2

Equipment is propelled to nominated stabling or off-track location

4.3

Equipment is stabled or off tracked as directed

4.4

Protection officer or PICOW is contacted and informed when light on-track equipment is stabled or off tracked

4.5

Equipment is left stored in appropriate manner and location to ensure security and protection of equipment

5

Perform post-operational equipment procedures

5.1

Post-operational equipment checks are conducted in accordance with manufacturer specifications and organisational procedures to identify defects and maintenance requirements

5.2

Identified problems are reported in accordance with organisational procedures

5.3

Post-operating service schedules are conducted in accordance with organisational procedures

6

Complete documentation

6.1

Logbooks are checked and completed as required

6.2

Documentation is completed and processed in accordance with organisational 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 three separate occasions and include:

applying relevant safeworking and workplace procedures

communicating effectively with others when operating light on-track equipment

identifying job hazards and taking required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards

modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

reporting and rectifying identified problems, faults and malfunctions when operating light on-track equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

using appropriate numeric functions when operating light on-track equipment

working collaboratively with others when operating light on-track equipment

working with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to 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:

emergency management plans and procedures

hazards that may exist when operating light on-track equipment and ways of controlling the risks involved

Rail Infrastructure Manager rules and regulations applicable to operating light on-track equipment

organisational procedures for operating light on-track equipment

problems that may occur when operating light on-track equipment and action that can be taken to report or resolve these problems

relevant rail danger zones

relevant rail safety, work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental procedures and regulations.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations or, where this is not available, in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

applicable documentation and terminology as defined by the relevant Rail Infrastructure Manager safeworking system including workplace procedures, regulations, rules and codes of practice.