1 Prepare for track occupancy authority

1.1 Site safety plan is sourced and read for the terms of the track occupancy authority

1.2 Network control officer is notified of intention to use a TOA

1.3 Work group supervisor is advised of network control officer's decision

2 Issue a track occupancy authority

2.1 Permission for a TOA is requested from network control officer

2.2 Permission for a TOA is documented in accordance with access provider's and/or organisational requirements

2.3 Work group supervisor is advised that occupancy has been issued

2.4 Alterations to the TOA are negotiated with network control officer, if applicable

2.5 Multiple worksites are protected in accordance with rules and procedures and/or organisational requirements

2.6 Work group supervisor is advised that the TOA has been issued

3 Cancel or fulfil the track occupancy authority

3.1 Communication is maintained with work group supervisor to confirm completion of work activity and track is safe for rail traffic

3.2 Network control officer is informed that track occupancy authority has been cancelled of fulfilled

3.3 Fulfilment of the TOA is documented in accordance with Access Provider's requirements

4 Manage unsafe situations or emergencies

4.1 Unsafe situations and/or emergencies are identified

4.2 Work group is instructed to move to a safe place

4.3 Appropriate action is taken to minimise risk and/or injury in accordance with workplace procedures

4.4 Emergencies and/or incidents are recorded and reported to relevant personnel in accordance with workplace procedures

This section describes the knowledge and skills required for this unit.

Required knowledge:

Access Provider policies, procedures and protocols in the event of identified unsafe situations or emergencies within workplace role

Access Provider rules and procedures

Access Provider rules and procedures for working around electrical infrastructure

Operational communication protocols and systems

Rail terminology as defined by the applicable Access Provider

Worksite protection plan

Types of track protection

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with individuals and work groups

Complete track occupancy authority documentation

Follow workplace policies, procedures and protocols

Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

Use required personal protective equipment conforming to Access Provider requirements

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 required knowledge and skills

relevant workplace rules and procedures

Assessment must include exercises which demonstrate competent performance of the following in a range of situations:

notifying network control officer of intention to use a TOA

completing permission for TOA in accordance with Access Provider requirements

complying with the application requirements for a TOA

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

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 knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through activities in an appropriately simulated environment, and

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 will be:

as defined by the applicable track safeworking system and operating procedures

Work may occur:

by day or night

under varied weather conditions and situations

Network control officer may be:

network controller

train controller

area controller

signaller

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 and audible signals

radios

telephones/mobile phones

signage

Safety clothing and equipment may include:

high visibility clothing

protective footwear

hearing protection

Where applicable, worksite protection equipment may include:

railway track signals

demarcation barriers

lights ,flags and signs

electronic devices

blocking facilities

Information and documents may include:

workplace rules and procedures

worksite safety plan

emergency plan

pre-work briefing

worksite protection plan

Complexity of work activity may include:

type of work to be undertaken

hand tools to be used

track vehicles/track machines

machinery

multiple work groups

rail traffic within or between worksite/s

Characteristics of worksite may include:

location

cuttings and embankments

speed and density of adjacent traffic

parallel networks

electrified network

track circuits

level and pedestrian crossings

limits of worksite

visibility

the work will affect track under the control of other access providers

multiple work activities

Worksite protection plans may include:

defining the limits of the worksite

identifying safe places

identifying level and pedestrian crossings

identifying fixed rail infrastructure including:

signals

overhead structures

bridges/tunnels

turn outs

Track occupancy authority documentation may include:

electronic or manual types

standard form

track occupancy authority unique identifier

date

times

location

description of work

limits of authority

network control officer's details

protection officer's details