Persons achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines.

Work is performed under some supervision, generally within a team environment.

It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures to marshalling and shunting operations across a variety of operational workplace contexts within the Australian rail system.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Identify marshalling and shunting requirements

1.1 Track and siding requirements are established, based on customer needs and safe work practices

1.2 Dangerous goods or other special transportation requirements are established

1.3 Destinations, arrival times and departure times are established that are consistent with timetable requirements

1.4 Relevant safe working systems are identified

2Identify required rolling stock movements

2.1 Rolling stock types required are determined from available documentation

2.2 Rolling stock locations are identified and track and siding availabilities are established to facilitate the marshalling and shunting operation

2.3 Rolling stock priorities and sequences are sorted in accordance with workplace procedures

3Plan rolling stock movements

3.1 Marshalling strategy is identified to achieve safe and efficient loading and unloading

3.2 Resources required to carry out the marshalling strategy are identified

3.3 Appropriate motive power is determined to enable completion of shunting operations

3.4 Track and siding access and options for wagon movements are identified from the marshalling strategy

3.5 Contingency strategy for unplanned events is identified or prepared

3.6 Shunting and marshalling plan and train consist is documented, filed, and distributed in accordance with operational requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Applicable legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines

Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations including codes of practice for manual handling

Dangerous Goods Codes and regulations

Marshalling plan and instructions

Procedures for loading and unloading rolling stock

Procedures for getting on and off rolling stock in an appropriate manner

Procedures for coupling and uncoupling rolling stock

Procedures for operating points and signals

Procedures for managing hazardous situations

Radio communication protocol

Rostering procedures

Characteristics and features of wagons and other rolling stock

Loading and unloading facilities

Yard features and operation

Principles of operation of protective devices, air brakes, handbrakes, derailers

Location of signals and points

Local track and signal layouts

Draw gear capacities and related operating procedures

Safeworking systems and requirements

Shunting signals and commands and communication systems

Timetables and destination information

Relevant documentation requirements

Required skills:

Communicate and negotiate effectively with others when organising marshalling and shunting operations

Read and interpret instructions, procedures and information relevant to the organisation of marshalling and shunting operations

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to the organisation of marshalling and shunting operations

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when organising marshalling and shunting operations

Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may occur when organising marshalling and shunting operations in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may arise when organising marshalling and shunting operations

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during marshalling and shunting operations

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

Apply fatigue management knowledge and techniques

Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

Select and use relevant computing and communications and other relevant equipment and materials when organising marshalling and shunting operations

Adapt to differences in rolling stock and equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

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

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation

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 at the registered training organisation, 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.

Operations may be conducted:

by day or night

all relevant weather conditions

Work may be conducted in:

restricted spaces

exposed conditions

controlled or open environments

Work may involve exposure to:

chemicals

dangerous or hazardous substances

movements of equipment, goods and vehicles

Resources may include:

motor vehicles

fixed signals

draw gear motive power units

rail tractors rolling stock

communication equipment

switching equipment

freight handling equipment

turntables

Safety requirements may include:

high visibility clothing

sunscreen

insect repellent

safety mask

portable radios

gloves

sun glasses

safety headwear

safety footwear

hearing protection

Unplanned events may involve:

derailments

breakdowns

injuries and fatalities

hazardous materials, spills, fires and leaks

track damage

powerline damage

Consultative processes may involve:

workplace personnel including supervisors and managers

other professional or technical staff

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

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Information/documents may include:

applicable legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines

the Code of Practice for the Defined Interstate Rail Network in situations where marshalling operations are carried out on that network

order books

cards/deck sheets

noticeboards

special train notices

yard orders

periodical circulars

transport authority rules and operating procedures

computer-based data systems

timetables

train consist

incident reports

drivers advice

train register book

safeworking forms

dangerous goods manifests/declarations

conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards

Applicable procedures and codes may include:

relevant state/territory regulations, codes of practice and safeworking system requirements

the Code of Practice for the Defined Interstate Rail Network in situations where marshalling/shunting operations are carried out on that network

relevant Australian Standards and related requirements

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

ADG Code

This unit contains employability skills.