Unit of competency details

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to propel and operate light on-track equipment.

Light on-track equipment is considered to be less than 10 tonnes that may be lifted on or off track mechanically.

Light on-track equipment requires a basic operator skill level in manipulation, coordination, alignment and functional activity, with little complexity or variance in overall activity. This typically covers equipment carrying out basic repetitive and alignment type activities.

Persons achieving competence in this unit will need to meet organisational requirements to operate each individual piece of equipment.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

This unit involves the application of routine operational principles and procedures to propel and operate light equipment on track as part of workplace activities across a variety of rail operational contexts.

Operators will need to have fulfilled licence and/or certification requirements for the type of equipment being used.

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Perform pre-operational equipment checks 

1.1 Detailed pre-operational equipment checks are conducted according to manufacturer specifications and organisational procedures

1.2 If applicable, log books are checked and completed accurately in accordance with organisational requirements and manufacturer specification

1.3 Problems with equipment are identified and rectified in accordance with workplace procedures

1.4 Identified problems are reported and documented in accordance with organisational procedures

2 Obtain approval to place equipment on track 

2.1 Protection officer or person in charge of work (PICOW) is contacted to obtain approval to place light on-track equipment on track and move to designated location in accordance with network owner’s procedures

3 Operate light equipment on track 

3.1 Equipment is travelled to designated location in accordance with network owner’s procedures

3.2 Equipment is prepared for work

3.3 Equipment is operated in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with the relevant codes of practice, safeworking systems, manufacturer and organisational procedures

3.4 Equipment is operated to meet organisational standards and specifications

3.5 If applicable, warning systems are monitored and responded to appropriately during operation

4 Stable or off track equipment 

4.1 Protection officer or PICOW is contacted to direct where and when to stable or off track equipment

4.2 Equipment is propelled to nominated stabling or off-track location

4.3 Equipment is stabled or off tracked as directed

4.4 Protection officer or PICOW is contacted and informed when the light on-track equipment is stabled or off tracked

4.5 Equipment is left stored in appropriate manner and location to ensure security and protection of equipment

5 Perform post-operational equipment procedures 

5.1 Post-operational equipment checks are conducted according to manufacturer specifications and organisational procedures to identify defects and maintenance requirements

5.2 Identified problems are reported in accordance with organisational procedures

5.3 Post-operating service schedules are conducted according to organisational procedures

6 Complete documentation 

6.1 If applicable, log books are checked and completed

6.2 Required documentation is completed in accordance with organisational procedures

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge: 

• Relevant rail safety, OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

• Organisational procedures for the operation of light on-track equipment

• Problems that may occur when operating light on-track equipment, and action that can be taken to report or resolve them

• Hazards that may exist when operating light on-track equipment, and ways of controlling the risks involved

• Emergency procedures

• Network owner’s rules and regulations applicable to the job role

Required skills: 

• Communicate effectively with others when operating minor track equipment

• Follow operational instructions

• Complete documentation related to work activities

• Use appropriate numeric functions when operating equipment

• Work collaboratively with others when operating minor track equipment

• Report and rectify within limits of own role identified problems, faults and malfunctions when operating minor track equipment in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate potential hazards during work activities

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

• Work with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to equipment

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 by consistently meeting the requirements of the critical aspects for assessment over a period of time by means of evidence of work performed in a log book or similar documentation.
• 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 

• 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

RANGE STATEMENT  

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Light on-track equipment may include: 

• spike pullers (ride on)
• spike drivers
• ballast scarifiers
• multi-spindle borers
• small sleeper spacers
• dog screw setters/drivers
• power track jacks
• various fastening applicators
• joint lifters
• rail-mounted compressors
• profile grinders

Liaison may include:  

• protection officer
• PICOW
• fellow workers

Communication systems may include: 

• two-way radios
• radio headsets
• telephones, including mobile phones
• agreed audible or hand signals

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

• high visibility clothing
• hearing protection
• gloves
• sunscreen
• safety glasses
• insect repellent
• safety headwear
• safety footwear
• portable radios and mobile phones
• hand lamps
• flags
• safety devices

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, organisational procedures may be known as: 

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• workplace procedures
• established procedures

Information and documents may include: 

• relevant legislated rail safety requirements, including acts and regulations from each applicable state or territory
• operational instructions
• organisational policies and procedures
• relevant log and/or record book
• maintenance notices, records and requests
• local authority regulations and procedures
• technical instructions
• manufacturer or workplace equipment instructions and operation manuals
• emergency procedure manuals
• two-way radio or mobile telephone operation procedures
• legislation and industrial agreements, including workplace agreements and awards