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 generally performed without direct supervision. It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures to operate urban trains as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Drive urban train efficiently and effectively

1.1 Train is operated in accordance with the relevant codes of practice, workplace procedures and instructions

1.2 Train is operated safely within track/road characteristics and route conditions

1.3 Train operations are controlled to minimise wear and fuel use and avoid damage

1.4 Train is operated with due care for passenger comfort and quality of ride

1.5 Train is safely operated to specified timetable and schedule in accordance with on-time running standards

1.6 Performance of equipment and rolling stock is monitored to maintain optimum running conditions and identify faults, defects and efficiencies

1.7 Relevant codes of practice, OH&S and environmental requirements are followed to prevent injury and damage

2Assist passengers

2.1 Passenger needs when boarding the train are monitored and identified in accordance with workplace procedures and customer service standards

2.2 Passengers are given appropriate assistance in accordance with workplace procedures

2.3 Passengers with disabilities and/or difficulties are identified and given appropriate assistance when embarking/disembarking to/from the train

2.4 Where applicable, passengers are advised of station identification, emergency situations and other critical information, using the train communications system

2.5 Train control and other instructions are received, interpreted and applied to ensure safe and effective control of the train

2.6 Communications are maintained with traffic control and other relevant officers during the train journey in accordance with the workplace procedures, relevant codes of practice and safeworking systems

2.7 Instructions concerning train operation are given to relevant personnel to ensure safe and efficient on-time running

3Carry out train inspections

3.1 Pre- and post-operation checks and terminus inspections are carried out in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2 Train visual checks are made in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3 Problems and defects are identified and reported/rectified in accordance with workplace procedures, other regulatory requirements and manufacturers instructions

3.4 Cleanliness and tidiness of train are checked, if required, and appropriate action is taken to maintain quality standards in accordance with workplace procedures

3.5 Incidents or unusual occurrences are recorded and reported to relevant personnel in accordance with established policies and procedures

4Respond effectively to abnormal situations and external operating factors

4.1 Abnormal operating situations are identified and appropriate action is taken to report and/or respond to the situations in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

4.2 Hazardous situations are recognised and appropriate action is taken to minimise risk to personnel and equipment in accordance with workplace procedures and OH&S and regulatory requirements

4.3 Safety and other incidents are identified and dealt with in accordance with workplace procedures and OH&S and regulatory requirements

4.4 Appropriate communications are maintained with relevant personnel during safety and other incidents in accordance with workplace procedures and OH&S and regulatory requirements

4.5 Instructions are verified, when required, interpreted and followed, in accordance with relevant codes of practice, safeworking systems and requirements and workplace policies and procedures, to ensure that actions taken are appropriate and safe

4.6 Fixed and hand signals and verbal movement commands are interpreted and followed, in accordance with relevant codes of practice, safeworking systems and workplace policies and procedures, to ensure that actions taken are appropriate and safe

4.7 Reports on safety and other incidents are completed and referred to appropriate personnel in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

5Stable urban train

5.1 Urban train is stabled in accordance with workplace instructions and procedures

5.2 Post-operational checks of the train are conducted in accordance with workplace procedures

5.3 If required, problems and defects are identified and reported/rectified in accordance with workplace procedures, regulatory requirements and manufacturers instructions

5.4 Safety devices are activated or put in position to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment

5.5 Required documentation on train operations is completed in accordance with workplace procedures

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

Operational instructions including start-up and shut-down procedures

Urban train operating procedures including driving procedures, braking and safety system procedures, operating controls to start, accelerate, decelerate and stop, complying with speed and load limits, adjusting controls to maximise efficient and safe running, managing hazardous situations and ancillary system procedures

Procedures for operating electronic communications equipment with required protocol

Procedures for pre-and post-operational checks

Procedures for carrying out terminus checks

Procedures for fuelling (where relevant) and lubrication of motive power units

Procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency

Train controls, instruments and indicators and their purpose, location and use

Safe operational procedures and techniques for optimising efficiency, minimising wear and tear on rolling stock and motive power units, using route knowledge and terrain for advantage and optimising the quality of ride for passengers

Route information including track/bridge limitations, speed limitations, gauge limitation, curves and gradients, location of signals and crossings, emergency cross-overs, track work along the route, reports of accidents or breakdowns along the route, typical problems that can occur along an urban train route and procedures for identifying and/or anticipating route problems and related action that can be taken

Urban train operating equipment and systems including monitoring devices, braking and drive equipment, ancillary systems and signalling systems

Customer services policies, standards and procedures

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when operating an urban passenger train including the use of train communications equipment

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to work activities

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to urban passenger train operations

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when operating an urban passenger train

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 operating an urban passenger train in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unexpected events when operating an urban passenger train

Respond appropriately to abnormal situations, safety incidents and emergencies

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

Monitor and anticipate operational hazards and take appropriate action

Modify activities to cater for variations in workplace contexts, route conditions and environment

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

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

Monitor train performance to facilitate optimum safe operation and quality of ride to passengers (where applicable)

Carry out required pre-operational, terminus and post-operational checks of train

Apply route information to train operations

Check and replenish fluids and carry out lubrication processes in the course of work activities

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

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Trains may be:

any urban train operated in the Australian rail system

Operations may be conducted:

by day or night in all relevant weather conditions

Safety devices may include:

power brakes

hand brakes

chocks

lock-out equipment to prevent train from moving

emergency and safety equipment such as vigilance control and deadman relays

Track/road characteristics include:

track/bridge limitations

speed limitations

gauge limitation

curves and gradients

curfews

location of signals and crossings

emergency cross-overs

Abnormal situations may include but are not limited to:

technology failure

illness

signals in stop mode

assault

brawls

false alarm

passenger initiated alarm

track obstructions

passenger caught in self-closing doors

pedestrians crossing the track

suicide on the track

level crossing accidents

incorrect information or failure in communications

overhead wiring failure

Relevant personnel can include:

train controllers

train examiners

maintenance personnel

those providing operational assistance

signals staff

passengers

station staff

Communication protocols may include but are not limited to:

general safety

emergency messages

testing communications equipment

sending and receiving messages

identification

standard radio terms

phonetic alphabet

spoken figures

Communications equipment may include but is not limited to:

train intercom

hand-held or portable radio equipment

fixed radio equipment

computer-based communications equipment

specialised testing facilities

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

operational instructions, protocols, policies and procedures, including:

train operation procedures

pre- and post-operation and terminus inspection procedures

procedures to prevent trains from moving unintentionally or against safeworking rules

track speed, length and limitations

procedures for monitoring and complying with signals

procedures for operating in accordance with track/route conditions

train log or record book

train running sheets

procedures/instructions for dealing with emergencies or abnormal situations

quality and customer service standards, policies and procedures

maintenance notices, records and requests

specified operating limits for trains

local instructions

communication equipment procedures

equipment operation manuals and maintenance specifications

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

relevant Australian standards and related requirements including AS 4292 Part 1

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.