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 operational principles, regulations, safeworking codes, protocols and procedures to the controlling of rail traffic movement as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail industry.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Monitor status of current train area plan

1.1 Actual train movements and associated activities are analysed to establish current situation

1.2 Proposed train movements and associated activities are identified to establish status of area plan in accordance with workplace procedures and policies

1.3 Circulars, telegrams and special train notices are checked for accuracy and adjustments made as required

1.4 Operational management system information is reviewed against observed status and inconsistencies corrected

2Implement the daily working timetable

2.1 Train movements are prioritised and directed in accordance with authorisations to ensure optimum and consistent running to timetable

2.2 Relevant information is communicated to internal and external customers to minimise the effect of changes

2.3 Planned train movements, circulars and special train notices are implemented using safeworking systems and requirements to ensure safety

3Control rail traffic movement

3.1 Layout, characteristics and condition of track section of responsibility is assessed for its effect on train running

3.2 Train movements are coordinated with other relevant personnel in accordance with safeworking systems and requirements and workplace policies and practices

3.3 Surveillance and alarm systems are monitored to identify emergency situations

3.4 Signalling system is operated to ensure track section of responsibility is open or closed to train pathways as required

3.5 Signalling systems are operated and monitored to ensure safe movement of traffic

4Implement contingency plans for system faults and failures, and for planned events

4.1 Contingency plan to suit the event or system failure or fault is identified and reviewed as necessary

4.2 Resources to cover the contingency are deployed in coordination with relevant personnel

4.3 Communications with event site are established

4.4 Train plan is adjusted in accordance with safeworking systems and requirements and in coordination with relevant personnel to minimise interruptions and provide alternative services

4.5 Arrangements are made to maintain communications with internal and external customers where possible

4.6 Operational management system information is updated to reflect changes resulting from plan implementation

5Update traffic movement documentation

5.1 Traffic movement documentation is receipted, compiled and recorded to provide accurate basis for train movement

5.2 Traffic movement documentation is endorsed at the completion of shift in accordance with workplace requirements to ensure accurate hand-over

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

Workplace procedures for the planning and control of train operations, including: workplace management, train movement documentation , radio communication protocol, completing relevant documentation, and procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency

Train movement principles

Timetabling principles

Signalling and control systems and operations

Track layout, characteristics and conditions

Track maintenance and work procedures

Restrictions relating to loads and conditions

Draw gear capacities

Communication systems

Surveillance and alarm systems

Problems that may occur when controlling rail traffic and related action that should be taken

Relevant documentation requirements

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when controlling rail traffic

Give clear instructions relevant to the control of rail traffic

Read and interpret instructions, procedures and information relevant to the control of rail traffic

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation and enter data related to the control of rail traffic

Document train movements and incidents

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work both individually and collaboratively with others when controlling rail traffic

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

Monitor and anticipate operational problems and hazards and take appropriate action

Promptly report and/or rectify any problems, faults or malfunctions identified when controlling rail traffic in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Apply safeworking practices and regulations

Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may occur when controlling rail traffic

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

Meet agreed workplace tolerances for train operations

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 equipment and materials when planning and controlling daily train operations

Adapt to differences in 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

in 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

Control of rail traffic movements may require:

the use of automated and manual signalling combined with centralised train control

Associated activities are those that may affect the movement of trains and include:

track maintenance

signal maintenance

electrical wiring

diversion/alternative routing of trains

track inspection

construction

environmental work

special events

Events triggering the need for implementing contingency plans may include:

breakdowns

hazardous materials spills

track damage

washaways

collisions

injuries and fatalities

fires and leaks

powerline damage

derailments

Communication systems may include but are not limited to:

radios

telephones

faxes

computers

email

internet

Customers can be both internal and external, including:

other members of a work group or team, crew, section or division of the workplace to whom a service is provided

other work groups or teams, crews, sections or divisions of the workplace to whom a service is provided

Traffic movement documentation can include:

train timetables

track possessions notices

unplanned event reports

on-track movement

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

workplace procedures and job specification

induction and training materials

protocols for dealing with internal and external customers

electronic management systems

information on visual display monitors

train movement graphs and charts

two-way radio operation procedures

emergency procedures manual

ADG Code

incident reports

traffic control equipment operations manuals

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

Applicable procedures and codes may include:

relevant state/territory codes of practice and safeworking system requirements

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

relevant Australian Standards

ADG Code and regulations

This unit contains employability skills.