2)

This Competency Standard Unit is intended to augment formally acquired competencies. It is suitable for employment-based programs under an approved contract of training.

Prerequisite Unit(s)

4)

Competencies

4.1)

Granting of competency in this unit shall be made only after competency in the following unit(s) has/have been confirmed.

Where pre-requisite pathways have been identified. All competencies in the Common Unit Group must be have been completed.

Common Unit Group

Unit Code

Unit Title

UEENEEE101A

Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace

UEENEEE102A

Fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components

UEENEEE104A

Solve problems in d.c. Circuits

UEENEEE105A

Fix and secure electrotechnology equipment

UEENEEE107A

Use drawings, diagrams, schedules, standards, codes and specifications

UEENEEG101A

Solve problems in electromagnetic devices and related circuits

UEENEEG102A

Solve problems in low voltage a.c. Circuits

UETTDREL11A

Apply sustainable energy and environmental procedures

UETTDREL12A

Operate plant and equipment near live electrical conductors and apparatus

UETTDREL16A

Working safely near live electrical apparatus

UETTDRIS52A

Install and maintain poles, structures and associated hardware

UETTDRIS54A

Install and maintain poles, structures, overhead conductors and cables

UETTDRRT21A

Install traction overhead wiring systems

UETTDRRT22A

Maintain traction overhead wiring systems

UETTDRRT27A

Install overhead traction components and equipment

UETTDRRT28A

Maintain overhead traction components and equipment

Literacy and numeracy skills

4.2)

Participants are best equipped to achieve this unit if they have reading, writing and numeracy skills indicated by the following scales. Description of each scale is given in Volume 2, Part 3 “Literacy and Numeracy”.

Reading

3

Writing

3

Numeracy

3

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Prepare for rail traction switching operations to a given schedule

1.1

Works schedule(s), including drawings, plans, requirements, established procedures, and material lists, are received, analysed and confirmed, if necessary, by site inspection.

1.2

Relevant requirements and established procedures for the work are communicated to all personnel and identified for all work sites.

1.3

OHS policies and procedures related to requirements and established procedures for rail traction switching operations to a given schedule are obtained and confirmed for the purposes of the work to be performed and communicated.

1.4

Work is prioritised and sequenced following consultation with others for completion within acceptable timeframes and in accordance with established procedures.

1.5

Hazards are identified; OHS risks assessed and control measures are prioritised, implemented and monitored including emergency exits kept clear according to established procedures.

1.6

Relevant work permits are obtained to access and perform work according to requirements and/or established procedures.

1.7

Resources including personnel, equipment, tools and personal protective equipment required for the job are obtained and confirmed in working order.

1.8

Relevant personnel at worksite are confirmed current in CPR, First Aid, and other rescue procedures and related work procedures according to requirements.

1.9

Liaison and communication issues with other authorised personnel, authorities, clients and land owners are resolved to carry out work where necessary.

1.10

Modifications to the scheduled which may be required after assessing the worksite is communicated to appropriate personnel for formal approval.

1.11

Site is prepared according to the work schedule and to minimise risk and damage to property, commerce, and individuals in accordance with established procedures.

1.12

Personnel participating in the work, including plant operators and contractors, are fully briefed and respective responsibilities confirmed where applicable in accordance with established procedures.

1.13

Safe working, road signs, barriers and warning devices are in place in accordance with requirements.

2

Carry out rail traction switching operations to a given schedule

2.1

OHS principles and practices to reduce incidents and accidents are followed in accordance with requirements and/or established procedures.

2.2

Lifting, climbing, working aloft, and use of power tools/equipment, techniques and practices are safely followed and, currency according to requirements confirmed.

2.3

Essential knowledge and associated skills are applied in the safe switching of rail traction operations to ensure completion in an agreed timeframe and, to quality standards.

2.4

Communications with Switching Control Officer are established and maintained throughout the isolation operation according to established procedures.

2.5

Electrical equipment and associated circuits line/network or work site to be switched is isolated and proved de-energised using appropriate devices and earthed or rail connected where required according to requirements and established procedures.

2.6

Rail traction switching to a schedule is carried out, in accordance with requirements/established procedures.

2.7

Hazard warnings and safety signs are recognised and hazards and assessed OHS risks are reported to the immediate authorised persons for directions according to established procedures.

2.8

Known solutions to a variety of problems are applied using acquired essential knowledge and associated skills.

2.9

Ongoing checks of quality of the work are undertaken in accordance with instructions and established procedures.

3

Complete the rail traction switching operations to a given schedule

3.1

Work undertaken is checked against works schedule for conformance with requirements and anomalies reported in accordance with established procedures.

3.2

Accidents and/or injuries are reported in accordance with requirements/established procedures, where applicable.

3.3

Work site is rehabilitated, cleaned up and made safe in accordance with established procedures.

3.4

Tools, equipment and any surplus resources and materials are, where appropriate, cleaned, checked and returned to storage in accordance with established procedures.

3.5

Relevant work permit(s) are signed off, safety devices are removed, and the system is made ready to be re-energised and returned to service in accordance with requirements/established procedures.

3.6

Works completion records, reports, as installed /modified drawing and/or documentation and information are finalised and processed and appropriate personnel and authority notified.

8) Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills (EKAS): This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Evidence shall show that knowledge of performing rail traction switching operations to a given schedule has been acquired.

All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies.

KS01-TRT30A Rail traction switching

Evidence shall show an understanding of rail traction switching operations to an extent indicated by the following aspects:

T1 Installation of overhead distribution conductors encompassing:

Standards, codes, legislation, supply authority regulations and or enterprise requirements applicable to installing conductors and associated equipment

Requirements for the use of overhead line construction manuals, system diagrams/plans and drawings - material lists, conductor size, type and route length.

Constructions types and structures for distribution and sub transmission lines

Types, sizes and characterises of overhead conductors

Resources for the stringing and maintenance of conductors - types of low and high voltage overhead electrical conductor connections, causes and effects of poor electrical connections, reasons for and methods used to maintain standard phase sequencing, removing, repairing and replacing of damage conductors, minimum clearances between overhead conductors and low and high voltage structures.

Techniques for conductor installation - types and application of tools, equipment and hardware

Methods of stringing, tensioning and termination of low and high voltage conductors

T2 Safe working practices and procedures for the installation of overhead distribution conductors encompassing:

Limits of approach for personnel, vehicles, mobile plant and elevating work platforms (EWP)

Requirements of persons prior to making bare hand contact with dead low voltage mains and apparatus

Requirements of relevant electrical access permits necessary to allow work to be performed on low and high voltage apparatus

Safe working practices - requirements to enable safe working on conductive poles, procedure to attach an “on-site” earthing device to de-energised low and high voltage overhead circuit

T3 Installation of switchgear and associated equipment encompassing:

Types and function of various switchgear - isolators, air-break switches, gas-filled switches, vacuum type, links, fuses, oil disconnectors, fuse switches, circuit breakers, operating characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of different types switchgear, installation procedures, earthing, requirements and techniques

Types of equipment - transformers, reactors, regulators, capacitors, relays, surge arrestors, fault indicators and mobile generators

Installation procedures for switchgear and equipment - standards, codes, legislation, supply authority regulations and or enterprise requirements, assembly and erecting procedures, earthing requirements and techniques, pole mounted locations

Maintenance procedures for switchgear and equipment - diagnosing and rectifying faults according to electricity supply industry standards and procedures,

Testing and commissioning - electricity supply industry standards and procedures.

T4 Low voltage switching principles encompassing:

Standards, codes, legislation, supply authority regulations and or enterprise requirements applicable to switching of low voltage to a given schedule

Requirements for the use of manuals, system diagrams/plans and drawings - types, characteristics and capabilities of electrical apparatus, use, characteristics and capabilities of specialised tools and testing equipment, LV network interconnectors source of possible backfeed

Low voltage switching techniques - identifying hazards, assessing and controlling risks associated with LV switching operations, electrical access permit(s), operational procedures, earthing procedures

Personnel protective equipment (PPE) for LV switching

9) This provides essential advice for assessment of the competency standard unit and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the range statement of the competency standard unit and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines.

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Competency Standard Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all component parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment

9.1)

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the Industry’s preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accord with Industry and, Regulatory policy in this regard.

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.

The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Hence, sources of evidence need to be ‘rich’ in nature so as to minimise error in judgment.

Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its ‘richness’. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practiced. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

9.2)

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites shall be met.

Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each element and associated Performance Criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the “Assessment Guidelines – UET12”. Evidence shall also comprise:

A representative body of Performance Criteria demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:

Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the Performance Criteria and range; and

Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the Performance Criteria and range; and

Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit to such an extent that the learner’s performance outcome is reported in accordance with the preferred approach; namely a percentile graded result, where required by the regulated environment; and

Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills; and

Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, policies and workplace procedures; and

Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:

Range of tools/equipment/materials/procedures/workplaces/other variables

Group No

The minimum number of items on which skill is to be demonstrated

Item List

A

All of the following:

Approvals/clearances,

Electrical/access permits

B

At least one of the following:

Voltage detectors,

Field intensity meter,

Polarity testers,

Phase rotation indicators

C

At least one of the following:

HV/LV circuit breakers,

HV/LV switches,

HV/LV isolators,

HV/LV links,

HV/LV bridges,

HV/LV fuses

D

All of the following:

Portable earthing/rail-connecting equipment,

Operating rods/sticks

E

At least one occasion

Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and associated skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

9.3)

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:

OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.

Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual performance of rail traction switching operations.

In addition to the resources listed above, in context of and specific resources for assessment, evidence should show demonstrated competency working below ground, in limited spaces, with different structural/construction types and method and in a variety of environments.

Method of assessment

9.4)

This Competency Standard Unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 “Assessment Guidelines”.

Note:

Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Transmission, Distribution and Rail Traction Industry. This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and associated skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units

9.5)

For optimisation of training and assessment effort, competence in this unit may be assessed concurrently with the following units:

UETTDRRT29A Operate rail road traction height access equipment

10) This relates to the competency standard unit as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the Performance Criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

This Competency Standard Unit shall be demonstrated in relation to the switching of circuit breaking and isolation devices associated with energy reticulation systems/networks, which applies to rail systems in field situations.

Equipment may include; circuit breakers, isolators, links, fuses, field switches, air-break switches, gas switches, Low Voltage switches, combined rail isolating switches, siding switches, earthing/ rail connect equipment, test equipment, High Voltage gloves, High Voltage mats, operating rods/sticks, aerial switches and motor driven switches, voltage detectors

The following constants and variables included in the element/Performance Criteria in this unit are fully described in the Definitions Section 1 of this volume and form an integral part of the Range Statement of this unit:

Appropriate and relevant persons (see Personnel)

Appropriate authorities

Appropriate work platform

Assessing risk

Assessment

Authorisation

Confined space

Diagnostic, testing and restoration

Documenting detail of work events, record keeping and or storage of information

Drawings and specifications

Emergency

Environmental and sustainable energy procedures

Environmental legislation

Environmental management documentation

Established procedures

Fall prevention

Hazards

Identifying hazards

Inspect

Legislation

MSDS

Notification

OHS practices

OHS issues

Permits and/or permits to work

Personnel

Quality assurance systems

Requirements

Testing procedures

Work clearance systems

5)

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements.

License to practice

3)

The skills and knowledge described in this unit may require a licence/registration to practice in the work place subject to regulations for undertaking of electrical work. Practice in workplace and during training is also subject to regulations directly related to Occupational Health and Safety, electricity/telecommunications/gas/water industry safety and compliance, industrial relations, environmental protection, anti discrimination and training. Commonwealth, State/Territory or Local Government legislation and regulations may exist that limits the age of operating certain equipment.