This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to install/maintain trackside signal and train protection equipment.

It includes preparing and installing/maintaining trackside signal and train protection equipment. It also includes completing installation/maintenance of trackside signal and train protection equipment and repairing faults, performing operational tests and reporting requirements.

Persons achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable state/territory legislated rail safety requirements and comply with relevant codes of practice, rules and/or guidelines.

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

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Prepare to install/maintain trackside signal and train protection equipment

1.1

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and workplace procedures for a given work area are identified, obtained and clarified

1.2

Hazards are identified, WHS/OHS risks assessed, and control measures and workplace procedures implemented in preparation for work

1.3

Safety hazards that have not previously been identified are documented as part of the job safety assessments, and risk control measures are determined and implemented in consultation with appropriate person/s

1.4

Appropriate rail safe working person/s is consulted to ensure work can proceed without delaying or compromising rail operational safety of train movements

1.5

Materials needed for the installation/maintenance work are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures and checked against job specifications

1.6

Tools, equipment and testing devices needed for installation/maintenance work are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures and checked for correct operation and safety

2

Install/maintain trackside signal and train protection equipment

2.1

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures for carrying out the work are followed

2.2

Signal and train protection equipment are checked in accordance with job and technical specifications

2.3

Sub-assemblies of signal and train protection equipment are assembled in accordance with work/job specifications and checked to confirm circuit integrity

2.4

Assembled sub-assemblies are inspected and tested off-site, where possible, in accordance with job and technical specifications

2.5

Installation/maintenance, wiring and assembly of signal and train protection equipment are completed efficiently, without waste of materials or damage to apparatus, the surrounding environment or services using sustainable energy practices

2.6

Signal and train protection components and sub-assemblies are inspected, checked and installed in accordance with job specifications

2.7

Component and wiring test/s are conducted under live test conditions to ensure train protection equipment functions correctly

2.8

Methods for dealing with unplanned situations are determined on the basis of safety and specified work outcomes

2.9

Installation/maintenance work is carried out in accordance with manufacturer specifications, workplace procedures and relevant industry standards

2.10

Appropriate operational inspection and test procedures are applied to ensure equipment and components are operational

2.11

Signal/s and train protection equipment are monitored, inspected and tested to ensure they operate in accordance with technical parameters specified and job specifications

2.12

Testing is performed efficiently, without waste of materials or damage to apparatus, the surrounding environment or services using sustainable energy practices

3

Complete trackside signal and train protection equipment installation/maintenance

3.1

WHS/OHS work completion risk control measures and workplace procedures are followed

3.2

Worksite is made safe in accordance with workplace safety management procedures

3.3

Test results and documentation are completed to confirm system operational compliance to job specifications and relevant reports produced

3.4

Work completion is documented and appropriate rail safety person/s notified in accordance with workplace safe working 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:

interpreting specifications and circuit diagrams correctly

using appropriate fault-finding techniques

installing/maintaining trackside signal and train protection equipment to operational requirements

organising work to minimise traffic disruptions

using tools and test equipment correctly

following relevant codes of practice and environmental protection procedures and requirements

completing relevant technical reports and documentation

dealing with unplanned events

applying rail safe working practices and relevant industry standards, codes and rail safety regulations

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including:

implementing workplace procedures and practices

using risk control measures

applying sustainable energy principles and practices

completing installation/maintenance of trackside signal and train protection 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:

trackside signal and train protection equipment installation/maintenance, safe working practices and relevant standards, codes and regulations, including:

rail signalling principles - electrical

overview of electrical rail signalling encompassing:

types of rail signalling/safe working systems including computer-based interlocking (CBI), automatic, controlled and interlocked signalling

advantages of electrical over mechanical signalling

advantages of CBI over electrical signalling systems

effects of overhead traction systems on electrical signalling systems (where applicable)

purpose of elements of an electrical rail signalling system, including signals and aspect systems, train protection systems, point actuating systems, mechanical locking, relay interlocking, CBI, train detection systems, control input devices, indicators, diagrams and monitors, and safe working systems

rail signalling principles - mechanical

overview of mechanical rail signalling encompassing:

types of mechanical rail signalling systems for different rail traffic, including passenger train, freight train, maintenance vehicles and heritage/tourism train

deficiencies of mechanical signalling systems, including automatic, controlled and interlocked signalling

effects of overhead traction systems on mechanical signalling systems (where applicable)

effects of external factors on the mechanical rail signalling system, including rail overhead, gradients/terrain, environmental and civil configuration

purpose of elements of a mechanical rail signalling system encompassing:

signals, point actuating systems, locking and train detection systems, control input devices, indicators, diagrams and monitors, mechanical interlocking frames, safe working systems and electro-mechanical interfaces

rail signalling and signal equipment

equipment and their components encompassing:

incandescent lamps

light-emitting diode (LED) lamps

electro-mechanical

mechanical

interfacing to different interlocking systems, e.g. relay and CBI

operating principles and parameters encompassing:

automatic signal control circuits

controlled signal control circuits

approach control circuits

bi-directional block control circuits

lamp proving circuits

failure mode

interpreting circuits diagrams to evaluate correct operation and relationship to other signalling circuits

correct operation in accordance with control and locking tables

servicing procedures encompassing:

maintenance documentation

coordination/planning sequence

operational test procedures

scheduled/corrective maintenance

unscheduled/preventative maintenance

certifying signal equipment (commission and de-commission)

certifying procedures applicable for compliance with rail operator/enterprise standards

rail signalling, train protection equipment

equipment and their components encompassing:

electro-mechanical (e.g. train-stops)

electro-magnetic (e.g. automatic warning system (AWS))

electronic (e.g. train protection warning system (TPWS))

automatic train protection (ATP) system - Balise/beacon based (e.g. ETCS level 1, and Westect)

operating principles encompassing:

permissive operation

restrictive operation

failure modes

interpreting circuits diagrams to evaluate correct operation and relationship to other signalling circuits

correct operation in accordance with control and locking tables

safe working practices and relevant standards, codes and regulations

relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace policies and procedures.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in suitable simulated workplace operational situations that replicate 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 must include access to:

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

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, facilities, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

resources that reflect current industry practices in relation to installing/maintaining trackside signal and protection equipment

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, 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 may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Electrotechnology

Rail Signalling