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 when allocating freight as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Confirm train consist

1.1 Train consist is checked against original planned consist and any variations are recorded for load planning purposes

1.2 Rolling stock on train is confirmed as available and suitable for loading

1.3 Further modifications to train consist are organised to achieve load plan following workplace procedures

2Review freight load plan

2.1 Freight load plan is reviewed to identify variations to contribute to development of revised load plan

2.2 Priorities for freight are identified and accounted for in load plan

2.3 New load plan is developed to ensure maximum efficiency for loading/unloading operations

2.4 Freight classed as dangerous goods is identified and planned loading and movement is in accordance with required code of practice

3Allocate freight to wagons

3.1 Freight load plan is confirmed and freight is identified for loading on selected wagons

3.2 Out-of-gauge freight is allocated to appropriate wagon and recorded on freight load plan

3.3 Non-compatible loads are separated to avoid damage or contamination

3.4 Unplanned restrictions relating to freight allocation are managed within the workplaces contingency plan

3.5 Unresolved freight allocation difficulties/problems are referred to operations planning or other appropriate personnel

3.6 Freight load plan documentation is completed and distributed to appropriate personnel

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 allocation of freight, including: identifying rolling stock, interpreting load specifications and carrying out load calculations, radio communication protocol, completing relevant documentation, and procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency

Types, characteristics, identification features and specifications of rolling stock

Types of freight and any special loading or transport requirements

Train consist documentation

Load specifications and calculations

Australian Dangerous Goods Code and associated regulations

Out-of-gauge requirements

Rolling stock identification and specifications

Freight handling capacities

Freight load plan system and documentation

Typical problems that can occur when allocating freight and appropriate action that can be taken to prevent or solve them

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when allocating freight

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the allocation of freight

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation and data entry related to the allocation of freight

Document freight allocation and incidents

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Calculate loads

Work both individually and collaboratively with others when allocating freight

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

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

Apply safeworking practices and regulations

Monitor and anticipate operational problems and hazards and take appropriate action

Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may arise when allocating freight

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during the allocation of freight

Plan and organise activities

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

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

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 allocating freight

Adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

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

Freight may include:

all forms of freight as confirmed on freight booking system

Rolling stock may include:

all forms of freight carrying rolling stock in any configuration used by the workplace

Out-of-gauge freight includes:

all designated as not complying with the gauge template for the specified track

OH&S requirements are those necessary to meet applicable workplace, state/territory and national policies and procedures and may include the use of:

gloves

sunscreen, sunglasses and safety glasses

hearing protection

insect repellent

safety headwear and footwear

portable radios

high visibility clothing

Consultative processes may involve:

other employees and supervisors

customers

management

other maintenance, professional or technical staff

Communication in the work area may include:

phone

electronic data interchange

fax

email

internet

radio

oral, aural or signed communications

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

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

site 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

manifests, bar codes, goods and freight identification

all forms of freight /train documentation used within a workplace

statutory forms required for movement of specified freight including dangerous goods declarations where applicable

ADG Code

two-way radio operation procedures

emergency procedures manual

incident reports

freight 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.