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 following established procedures, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes within the limits of responsibility of the worker concerned.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Prepare for track blocking protection

1.1 The site safety plan is sourced and read for the terms of track blocking protection

1.2 Network control officer is notified of intention to block and to provide initial approval

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

2Issue track blocking protection permission

2.1 Permission to block is requested from network control officer

2.2 Permission to block track is documented in accordance with access provider's and/or organisational requirements

2.3 The work group supervisor is advised that blocking has been issued

2.4 Track blocking protection is monitored for effectiveness

3Cancel track blocking protection

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

3.2 Permission to cancel track blocking protection is documented in accordance with access provider's and/or organisational requirements

3.3 Network control officer is informed of track block cancellation

4Manage 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

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

Site safety plans

Operational communication protocols and systems

Types of track protection

Types of track blocking signal systems

Track blocking documentation

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with individuals and workgroups

Follow workplace policies, procedures and protocols

Use required personal protective equipment conforming to organisational standards

Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

Implement site safety plans

Recognise the difference between permissive and absolute signals

Complete track blocking documentation

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:

explaining and demonstrating how to implement site safety plan

demonstrating notifying a network control officer of intention to block

issuing track blocking protection permission

monitoring track blocking for effectiveness

explaining and demonstrating how to cancel track blocking protection permission

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

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

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

Network control officer may be:

network controller

train controller

area controller

signaller

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:

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

worksite protection plan

Characteristics of track worksite may include:

location

cuttings and embankments

speed and density of adjacent traffic

parallel networks (adjacent access providers, shared corridor)

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

Site safety plans may include:

define the boundaries

identify positions of safety

identify level and pedestrian crossings

identify fixed rail infrastructure including:

signals

overhead structures

bridges/tunnels

turn outs

minimum sighting distances

parallel lines

Track blocking signal systems may include:

absolute signal

controlled signal

This unit contains employability skills.