1 Prepare for absolute signal blocking protection

1.1 Worksite protection plan is sourced and read for the terms of ASB protection

1.2 Network control officer is notified of intention to use ASB protection

1.3 Protection officer is advised of network control officer's decision

2 Apply absolute signal blocking protection

2.1 Permission to apply ASB is requested from network control officer

2.2 Permission to apply ASB is documented in accordance with Access Provider and/or organisational requirements

2.3 Protection officer is advised that ASB has been applied

3 Ending absolute signal blocking protection

3.1 Communication is maintained with the network control officer to confirm completion of work activity and track is safe for rail traffic

3.2 Permission to remove ASB protection is documented in accordance with Access Provider and/or organisational requirements

3.3 Network control officer is informed of completion of work

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 for 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

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with individuals and work groups

Complete track blocking documentation

Follow workplace policies, procedures and protocols

Implement worksite protection plans

Identify unsafe situations and emergencies

Recognise the difference between permissive and absolute signals

Use appropriate 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:

explaining and demonstrating how to implement site safety plan

requesting ASB protection from a network control officer

explaining how to end the use of ASB protection

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 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

Safety assessments will be:

as defined within the workplace procedures

as defined in the safety assessment for work including:

view - line of sight

direction of approaching rail traffic

speed of approaching rail traffic

safe place

changed local conditions

Communications may include:

receiving and passing on verbal messages/information

reporting unsafe situations and responding 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:

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

railway track signals

demarcation barriers

lights and flags

electronic devices

Information and documents may include:

workplace procedures, policies and work instructions

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

work affecting 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

minimum sighting distances

parallel lines