Elements and Performance Criteria

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
dangerous or hazardous substances
movements of equipment, materials and vehicles

Equipment may include:
mechanical handling/lifting equipment
track machines
hand tools including impact or tension wrenches, grinders, friction rail saws, rail punches, rail borers, tie tampers, gauges, track jacks, spiking hammers and bars
rail tensors
fastening equipment
oxy/acetylene equipment

Materials may include:
resilient and/or static fastenings
sleeper plates/pads
anchors
bolts
nuts
washer clips
shims
fish plates
swage fastenings

Rail joint parts and surroundings to be checked may include:
joint insulation
expansion gap
fishplates
fishbolts
sleeper
sleeper fastening
rail anchoring and rail bonds
track geometry

Fastenings may include:
pandrol clips, fist fastenings, Trak Lok, Rex lock
dogspikes/dog screws
bolts, spring washers, nuts
double shouldered sleeper plates
insulated sleeper pads

Types of rail joint may include:
mechanical joint
mechanical junction joints
insulated mechanical joint
insulated plate joints
bow plates
bonded insulated joint

Rail ends on curves may require:
bending (also known as pressing or crowing)

Special transitional rail joints may be:
required between changes of mass/wear

Liaison may include:
internal or external personnel from other work areas (e.g. train controllers, electricians)

Communication systems may include:
two-way radios
telephones/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
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
information provided by other workplace personnel
technical instructions
manufacturers or workplace equipment operation manuals and specifications
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 state/territory regulations, codes of practice and safeworking system requirements
relevant Australian Standards and related requirements including AS 4292
relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

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:

examining rail joints to determine defects and selecting appropriate repair methods
installing rail joints correctly
checking component parts and carrying out appropriate maintenance activities
completing documentation to organisational requirements

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, and/or
in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace