TLIC3017A
Shunt rolling stock

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to safely shunt rolling stock in accordance with safeworking and regulatory requirements and workplace procedures, including controlling and directing the physical movement of rolling stock and operating relevant equipment to carry out a developed shunting strategy. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

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 some supervision, generally within a team environment.

It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures to carry out shunting activities 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

1Plan and prepare for shunting operation

1.1 Shunting requirements are interpreted and clarified and vehicles and equipment are obtained and prepared in accordance with shunting strategy

1.2 Rolling stock movements, availability and locations are established in order to determine appropriate siding and/or track locations for vehicle placement

1.3 Relevant OH&S legislation, codes of practice, organisational policies and procedures and safeworking systems and requirements related to shunting are identified

2Carry out shunting control procedures

2.1 Points, levers, switches, signals and line of sight communications are used to assist the control of rolling stock movement

2.2 Hand, light and radio shunting commands used are uniform and conform with operational and statutory requirements

2.3 Relevant OH&S requirements are followed to prevent injury and damage

2.4 Wagon cards are checked and wagons are obtained and sorted to comply with shunting requirements

2.5 Shunting control techniques are applied to prevent damage of rolling stock and loads/contents

3Shunt rolling stock

3.1 Workplace procedures for shunting are identified and applied

3.2 Rolling stock is positioned to meet shunting requirements

3.3 Coupling systems are identified and applied to attach and detach rolling stock

3.4 Connecting brake hoses, electrical couplings and hand brakes are connected/disconnected and applied/released in accordance with operational and OH&S requirements

3.5 Shunting occurs with the minimum of necessary moves within governing safety requirements and limitations

4Finalise train consist

4.1 Train consists are made up according to operational procedures within timetabling requirements

4.2 Irregularities and defects with equipment rolling stock are reported in accordance with operational requirements

Required Skills

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 including codes of practice for manual handling

Dangerous Goods Codes and regulations

Shunting plan and instructions

Procedures for prioritising work

Loading and unloading procedures

Procedures for getting on and off rolling stock in an appropriate manner

Procedures for coupling and uncoupling rolling stock

Procedures for operating points and signals

Procedures for solving problems associated with shunting operations

Procedures for identifying and reporting hazards

Radio communication protocol

Procedures for completing relevant documentation

Wagon mechanisms

Yard features

Characteristics and features of wagons and other rolling stock

Principles of operation of protective devices, air brakes, handbrakes, derailers

Location and operation of signals and points

Local track and signal layouts

Draw gear capacities and related operating procedures

Safeworking systems and requirements

Shunting signals and commands and line of sight communication systems

Procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency

Defects that can occur on a shunting gear and equipment and related action that should be taken

Procedures for identifying equipment defects and assessing for appropriate action

Local procedures and operating requirements

Procedures for operating mechanical, electronic and other line of sight communications equipment with required protocols

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when shunting rolling stock

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the shunting of rolling stock

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to the shunting of rolling stock

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when shunting rolling stock

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 when shunting rolling stock in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unexpected events when shunting rolling stock

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

Apply fatigue management knowledge and techniques

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

Monitor condition and performance of equipment and take appropriate action if required

Check gear and equipment in terms of service schedule and standard operating procedures

Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

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

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.

Rolling stock may include:

all rolling stock in service within Australian rail systems

Operations may be conducted:

by day or night

in all relevant weather conditions

Equipment may include:

draw gear

air brake system components and handbrakes

rail tractors

rolling stock

communication equipment

switching equipment

turntables

motor vehicles

fixed signals

OH&S requirements are those necessary to meet applicable workplace, state/territory and national policies and procedures and may include the use of:

gloves

sunscreen, sunglasses and safety glasses

hearing protection

insect repellent

safety headwear and footwear

portable radios

hand lamps

flags

safety devices

audible indicators

breathing equipment

fire extinguishers

high visibility clothing

breakdown equipment

emergency containers

end-of-train unit or marker

equipment for handling electrical cables

emergency warning devices

portable signs and markers

Contingencies may include:

derailments

collisions

breakdowns

injuries and fatalities

hazardous materials spills

fires and leaks

track damage

powerline damage

Contingency plans and contingencies may involve:

emergency procedures manuals

ADG Code and other relevant dangerous goods regulations

safeworking systems and requirements

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:

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

the Code of Practice for the Defined Interstate Rail Network in situations where shunting operations are carried out on that network

order books

cards/deck sheets

noticeboards

special train notices

yard orders

periodical circulars

transport authority rules and operating procedures

computer-based data systems

timetables

train consist

incident reports

drivers advice

train register book

safeworking forms

dangerous goods manifest

marshalling plan and shunting lists

emergency procedures manual

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

Applicable procedures and codes may include:

relevant state/territory codes of practice and safeworking system requirements

the Code of Practice for the Defined Interstate Rail Network in situations where shunting operations are carried out on that network

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory fatigue management regulations

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

relevant Australian Standards

Railways of Australia Code of Practice and Conditions for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods


Sectors

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor