This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to install railway sleepers manually or mechanically in accordance with safeworking and regulatory requirements, and workplace procedures.

It includes preparing for work, restoring track gauge, installing or replacing sleepers and completing documentation.

People achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable state/territory legislated rail safety requirements and to comply with relevant codes of practice 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 installing railway sleepers, as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

Operators of mechanised equipment must have undertaken training and, where appropriate, hold the relevant licence, permit or certificate and be recognised as competent for the class of machinery being used.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare for work

1.1

Worksite is identified

1.2

Hazards are identified, risks are assessed and control measures are implemented

1.3

Installation, replacement or repair method is selected to meet work requirements in accordance with worksite standards and procedures

1.4

Plant, equipment and materials are prepared for work

2

Restore track gauge

2.1

Equipment and tools appropriate to task are selected and checked for correct operation in accordance with manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures

2.2

Track gauge is restored as required, using appropriate methods in accordance with worksite standards and procedures

2.3

Track gauge measurements are recorded in accordance with workplace procedures

3

Install or replace sleeper

3.1

Unserviceable sleepers are extracted as required, using manual or mechanical methods in accordance with worksite procedures

3.2

New sleeper is installed using manual or mechanical methods in accordance with worksite procedures

3.3

Sleeper plates are installed on relevant sleeper types in accordance with worksite procedures

3.4

Sleeper is suitably packed or supported by appropriate methods in accordance with worksite procedures

3.5

Work is completed to meet track geometry requirements in accordance with worksite procedures

3.6

Work is checked for compliance with acceptance standards for spacing, skew and geometry

4

Complete documentation

4.1

Required documentation procedures and processes are confirmed

4.2

Documentation is filled in legibly and proofread

4.3

Documentation is processed in accordance with workplace procedures

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

applying relevant workplace procedures

completing relevant documentation

identifying job hazards and taking required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards

installing or replacing sleepers

interpreting and following operational instructions and following scheduled work processes

modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

operating and adapting to differences in equipment in accordance with operating procedures

preparing for installation of railway sleepers

reporting and/or rectifying identified problems, faults or malfunctions, in accordance with workplace procedures

restoring track gauge and geometry

selecting and using relevant tools and equipment

working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to equipment.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

contents of relevant workplace technical manuals and instructions

defects that can occur in sleepering tools and equipment, and related action that should be taken

hazards that may exist when installing railway sleepers and ways of controlling the risks involved

problems that may occur when installing railway sleepers and action that can be taken to report or resolve these problems

relevant recording and documentation procedures

relevant safety, work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental procedures and regulations

sleeper and bearer condition and placement rail industry standards

sleeper and bearer specification and capacity

track gauge measurements

types of tools and equipment that may be used when installing railway sleepers, and their applications

workplace procedures for installing railway sleepers and turnout bearers.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations or, where this is not available, in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate rail corridor workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, rail industry standards, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions can be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.