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

Work is generally performed without supervision and within a team environment. It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures to shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains to operational requirements as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Plan and prepare for shunting operation

1.1 Shunting requirements are confirmed through workplace documents and/or relevant personnel

1.2 Local safety requirements are identified and performed according to workplace procedures

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

2Shunt trains

2.1 Where required, points, levers and/or switches are operated in accordance with workplace requirements

2.2 Audible signals, hand signals and other line of sight communications are used to assist the control of train movements

2.3 Hand, light and radio shunting commands used are responded to in accordance with workplace requirements

2.4 Pre-movement inspection/tests are carried out prior to moving trains

2.5 Train is shunted and positioned as per operational/workplace requirements

2.6 Following shunt movement train is secured according to workplace requirements

3Couple trains

3.1 Type of connections required are identified prior to coupling

3.2 Trains to be coupled are positioned according to operating procedures and workplace requirements

3.3 Trains to be coupled are fully secured

3.4 Ensure couplers are aligned and in the appropriate position for type of connection required

3.5 Ensure all safety requirements are met prior to coupling trains

3.6 Trains are coupled as per operational/workplace requirements

3.7 Post-coupling inspection/tests are carried out according to operating procedures and workplace requirements

4Uncouple trains

4.1 Trains to be uncoupled are identified and pre-uncoupling checks and, where required, procedures are conducted according to operating procedures and workplace requirements

4.2 Ensure all safety requirements are met prior to uncoupling trains

4.3 Train that will remain after uncoupling is fully secured

4.4 Trains are uncoupled according to operating procedures and workplace requirements

4.5 Post-uncoupling inspection/tests are carried out according to operating procedures and workplace requirements

5Use coupling adaptor

5.1 Situations requiring the use of a coupling adaptor are identified as per workplace procedures

5.2 Coupling adaptor is accessed and transported to required location for use

5.3 Ensure all safety requirements are met prior to fitting coupling adaptor

5.4 Coupling adaptor is attached to one of the trains prior to coupling according to workplace procedures

5.5 Trains are coupled in accordance with workplace procedures and coupling adaptor is secured in place

5.6 Post-coupling inspection/tests and/or procedures are carried out according to operating procedures and workplace requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Applicable minimum standards and approved compliance codes and/or guidelines

Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations including codes of practice for manual handling

Shunting procedures and requirements

Coupling systems, their components and their operation

Types of couplers and their purpose

Types of coupling adaptors and their purpose

Diagnostic techniques relating to shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains

Communication protocols

Procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains

Identify and assess electric passenger train defects and deficiencies and take appropriate action to report, isolate, repair or replace any identified defective equipment as per workplace procedures

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions when shunting, coupling and uncoupling electric passenger trains in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Apply rail safety practices and regulations

Implement contingency plans for unplanned events

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

Assess shunting, coupling and uncoupling defects

Operate and adapt to differences in trains and related equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

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

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:

carrying out pre-shunting checks correctly

shunting in a number of locations including sidings and depots/yards

coupling an electric passenger train, including correct use of coupling adaptor

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, 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

Equipment may include:

electric passenger train

transition coupler

emergency coupler

coupling adaptor

OH&S requirements may include the use of:

gloves

sunscreen, sunglasses and safety glasses

insect repellent

safety footwear

portable radios

hand lamps

flags

high visibility clothing

emergency warning devices

portable signs and markers

Contingencies may include:

derailments

collisions

breakdowns

injuries and fatalities

fires

track damage

powerline damage

broken/missing equipment

Contingency plans and contingencies may involve:

emergency procedures manuals

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 state and territory acts and regulations together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines

noticeboards

special train notices

periodical circulars

rules and operating procedures

computer-based data systems

timetables

train consist

incident reports

train register book

emergency procedures manual

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

Applicable regulations, legislation and codes may include:

relevant state/territory codes of practice and safeworking system requirements

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory fatigue management regulations

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

relevant Australian Standards

This unit contains employability skills.