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 minimal supervision, generally within a team environment. It involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures to the implementation of track maintenance and construction as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail system.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Plan work

1.1 Scope of work is confirmed including identification of any deficiencies, and preparatory or ancillary work required

1.2 Operational constraints are identified

1.3 Information requirements are identified and accessed

1.4 Method of work is selected and general operating sequence is determined

1.5 Resources required for the work are arranged as required

2Implement maintenance activities

2.1 Competent personnel are allocated tasks in accordance with the work sequence

2.2 Tasks are assessed as being in accordance with the pre-determined sequence and appropriate for the work

2.3 Work procedures are monitored and evaluated as being appropriate and in accordance with standards and procedures

2.4 Human and other resources are assessed as being adequate for the work

3Deal with maintenance and construction problems

3.1 Causes and effects of system faults and failures within the worksite are diagnosed

3.2 Impact of work on track system integrity is assessed

3.3 Appropriate action is taken to ensure track system integrity

3.4 Scope of work is modified to include related tasks/interfaces

3.5 Related faults/failures beyond the authorised scope of work are reported

4Complete documentation

4.1 Documentation on work undertaken is completed in accordance with workplace requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Relevant safety, OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

Fundamentals of all rail infrastructure

Track infrastructure and the interaction of all interfaces

Track defects

The range of track maintenance and/or construction techniques and work processes

The range of competencies required to carry out track maintenance and/or construction

Relevant engineering standards, specifications and codes of practice

Problems that may occur during track maintenance and/or construction, and action that can be taken to report or resolve the problems

Hazards that may exist when undertaking track maintenance and construction, and ways of controlling the risks involved

Relevant communication systems and procedures

Authorisation/approval processes and procedures

Documentation and record keeping requirements

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when implementing track maintenance and construction

Read and interpret technical data, drawings, instructions and manuals relevant to the maintenance and construction of track

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Select appropriate equipment

Select appropriate work techniques

Monitor, sequence and implement work

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule, appropriateness and in conformance with standards and procedures

Complete documentation

Operate communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when implementing track maintenance and construction

Diagnose causes and effects of system faults and failures resulting from the work activities

Assess impact of work on track system integrity

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may occur when implementing track maintenance and construction in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unexpected events when implementing track maintenance and construction

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

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

Operate and adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

Select and use required personal protective equipment

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

Assessment must include exercises which demonstrate competent performance of the following in a range of situations:

planning work

supervising maintenance activities

dealing with maintenance and construction problems

completing documentation

Assessment must also include exercises which demonstrate competent performance in implementing a combination of at least three of the following activities:

installing and maintaining rail joints

installing and maintaining guard and check rails

maintaining track geometry

adjusting rail

maintaining points and crossings

operating on-track machine

installing and maintaining rail lubrication equipment

welding rail using flashbutt technique

welding rail using aluminothermic welding technique

welding rail using electric welding process

grinding rails

grinding switches and crossings

carrying out ballast activity

carrying out sleeper installation or replacement

carrying out rail replacement

installing and maintaining rail fastening and anchoring systems

undertaking rail earthworks

installing and maintaining track drainage

installing and constructing points and crossings

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 weather conditions

Work may be conducted in:

restricted spaces

exposed conditions

controlled or open environments

Work may involve:

exposure to chemicals, and dangerous or hazardous substances

movements of equipment, goods and vehicles

Track maintenance and construction activities may include:

removing track components

installing track components

correcting track geometry

adjusting track components

repairing track components

Track components may include:

rail, rail joints, welds

points and crossings

sleepers, sleeper plates and sleeper fastenings

bearers, turnout plates and fastenings

lubricators

signs

ballast

track formation

Work methods may vary according to:

location (geography and geometry)

rail type and length

sleeper and fastening type

ballast type and condition

climatic conditions

track availability

Extent of activity may vary according to:

complexity of task

track availability

scope of work including length of track being worked on, type of maintenance and construction activities being undertaken, and types of track components

Track availability may include working:

during breaks in traffic

on limited track possession

during extended track possession

on non-operational track or track under construction

Equipment may include:

mechanical handling/lifting equipment

track machines

hand tools including impact wrenches, grinders, tension wrenches, friction rail saws, rail borers, tie tampers, gauges, track jacks, spiking hammers and bars

rail tensors

cutting and boring equipment

fastening equipment

on-track equipment including sleeper spacers

rail heaters

welding equipment

Communications systems may include:

two-way radios

telephones/mobile phones

agreed audible or hand signal

Depending on work context, safety and personal protective equipment may include:

high visibility clothing

hearing protection

gloves

sunscreen

sunglasses

safety glasses

insect repellent

safety headwear

safety footwear

portable radios/mobile phones

hand lamps

flags

safety devices

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:

operational instructions, policies and workplace procedures

local authority regulations and procedures

information provided by other workplace personnel

track inspections and reports

work orders

technical instructions

manufacturers or workplace equipment instructions and operation manuals

emergency procedure manuals

two-way radio/mobile phone operation procedures

QA plans, data and document control

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

Applicable procedures and codes may include:

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

relevant Australian Standards and related requirements, including AS 4292

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.