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 under instruction using established procedures, with accountability and responsibility for self achieving the prescribed outcomes within the limits of responsibility of the worker concerned.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Take up lookout position

1.1 Danger zone is safely accessed in accordance with workplace procedures

1.2 Location of lookout position is confirmed in accordance with workplace procedures

1.3 Sighting distance of rail traffic is calculated in accordance with workplace procedures

1.4 Unsafe and/or ineffective lookout positions are identified and reported in accordance with workplace procedures

1.5 Audible warning equipment is tested if utilised

1.6 A situational awareness is conducted to identify potential risks

1.7 Effectiveness of lookout placement and method of communicating rail traffic movements is confirmed

2Conduct lookout duties

2.1 Vigilance is maintained at all times

2.2 Approach of rail traffic is communicated using agreed methodology in accordance with workplace procedures

2.3 Hand signals are used in accordance with workplace procedures to confirm safe conditions to rail traffic

3Take action in the event of unsafe situations or emergencies

3.1 Unsafe situations and/or emergencies are identified, and appropriate action is taken to minimise risk in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2 Emergencies and incidents are recorded and reported to relevant personnel 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:

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

Audible warning equipment and its use

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with individuals and work groups

Follow workplace policies, procedures and protocols

Conduct a situational awareness assessment

Use personal protective equipment conforming to required standards

Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

Apply fatigue management skills as they relate to the work role

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:

conducting situational awareness assessment to identify potential risks

identifying unsafe and ineffective lookout positions

taking up lookout position that enables effective communication of train movements

using audible communications to protect rail crew

using basic hand signals to communicate with train driver

taking appropriate action in the event of an unsafe situation and/or emergency

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/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.

Worksites may include:

rail corridor

danger zone:

running line

parallel networks (adjacent access providers, shared corridor)

adjacent lines

sidings/yards

platforms/buildings

structures

Terminology used will be:

as defined by the applicable track safeworking system and operating procedures

Work may occur:

under varied visibility conditions

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 signals

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 and worksite protection plan

Unsafe situations may include:

risks to the individual

risks to the public

risks to the trains

risks to the physical assets of the network

Audible warning equipment may include:

horn

whistle

This unit contains employability skills.