This unit covers the requirements to implement and coordinate rail safety and OH&S risk-control strategies and to identify, assess and control risks associated with people, plant, environment, rail infrastructure, and associated interfaces.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Access information about rail safety, OH&S and organisational policies and procedures

1.1 Relevant provisions of rail safety and OH&S legislation and codes of practice are identified and accessed

1.2 Information on organisational rail safety and OH&S policies and procedures is stored in a readily accessible location and manner

1.3 Information is accurately interpreted and clearly explained to the appropriate personnel

2 Develop options to control rail safety and OH&S risks

2.1 Hazard register, outcomes of previous incident investigations, and risk assessments are reviewed to identify possible rail safety and OH&S hazards and/or risks requiring control action

2.2 Rail safety, OH&S legislation and standards are used to develop a range of options to control specific risks in the workplace

2.3 Principles of the hierarchy of control are applied when developing risk-control options

2.4 Where appropriate, input is sought from stakeholders and workplace personnel

2.5 If required, advice from rail safety and OH&S specialists and technical advisors is sought

3 Select appropriate options to control rail safety and OH&S risks

3.1 Outcomes of risk assessments are used to select appropriate options to control risks

3.2 Selected risk controls are prioritised

3.3 Factors that may potentially limit effectiveness of controls are identified

3.4 Where appropriate, stakeholders and workplace personnel are consulted when selecting appropriate control options

3.5 Recommended risk controls are communicated to stakeholders and workplace personnel

4 Implement rail safety and OH&S risk controls

4.1 Appropriate authority and relevant resources to implement controls are identified and applied

4.2 Actions required to control risks are implemented

4.3 Stakeholders and workplace personnel are consulted with and involved in the implementation of risk controls

5 Contribute to monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of risk controls

5.1 Effectiveness of implemented risk controls is evaluated, in consultation with stakeholders where necessary

5.2 Compliance with any new procedures is monitored and documented in accordance with organisational procedures

5.3 If required, workplace sources of information and data are accessed to evaluate effectiveness of risk controls and to check for new hazards introduced as a result of controls

5.4 Areas for further improvement are identified in consultation with stakeholders and appropriate action is taken

5.5 Where requested, assistance is provided in developing and documenting an improvement plan

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

Required knowledge:

Relevant rail safety and OH&S acts, legislation, procedures and guidelines

Reporting procedures in regard to unsafe situations, hazards and risks

Location and use of safety and emergency communication systems

Signs and signals used for OH&S warnings

HAZCHEM symbols and implications for safe work and storage

Emergency and evacuation procedures

Housekeeping standards and procedures required in the workplace

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when implementing and monitoring compliance with rail safety and OH&S procedures and policies

Read and interpret relevant instructions, procedures, information and signs

Complete documentation related to implementing and coordinating rail safety and OH&S risk-control strategies

Report and rectify within limits of own role problems, faults and malfunctions that may arise

Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may occur

Use appropriate numeric functions when implementing and monitoring compliance with rail safety and OH&S procedures and policies

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

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

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.

Associated interfaces and stakeholders may include:

federal, state and local authorities

emergency services

transport authorities

land owners

local residents

local community groups

utility service providers

other rail infrastructure managers

other work groups

employees

contractors

unions

Readily accessible locations may include:

organisational intranet

site offices

depots

personal electronic devices

vehicles

Workplace hazards may include:

chemicals and other hazardous substances

movement of equipment, goods and vehicles

broken and damaged tools and equipment

inflammable materials and fire hazards

lifting practices

extremes in weather conditions

lighting levels

uneven and slippery surfaces

water hazards

traffic flows

vehicle and equipment operation

rail traffic

overhead line equipment

signal and electrical equipment

bridges, tunnels, cuttings and pits

Responsibilities in the implementation and monitoring of rail safety and OH&S may include:

providing rail safety and OH&S information to personnel

consultation and participating in meetings on rail safety and OH&S matters

implementing and monitoring emergency procedures and responses

assessing and controlling rail safety and OH&S risks

reporting rail safety and OH&S issues and incidents

resolving rail safety and OH&S issues

participating in rail safety and OH&S audits and workplace inspections

Controlling rail safety and OH&S risks may include:

measures to remove the cause of a risk at its source

consultation with workers and their representatives

application of the hierarchy of control, namely:

elimination of the risk

engineering controls

administrative controls

Workplace sources of information and data may include:

rail safety and OH&S audits and inspection reports

health surveillance and workplace environmental monitoring records

records of instruction and training

manufacturer and supplier information, including material safety data sheets (MSDS) and dangerous goods storage lists

hazardous substances registers

maintenance and testing reports

workers compensation and rehabilitation records

first aid and medical post records

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, organisational procedures may include:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

workplace procedures

established procedures

Information and documents may include:

applicable state Rail Safety Acts

OH&S regulations, responsibilities and obligations

workplace rail safety and OH&S procedures and policies

codes of practice

MSDS

manufacturer, supplier and/or client instructions concerning the use and servicing of equipment

emergency procedures

goods identification numbers and codes

standards and certification requirements

This unit contains employability skills.