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

Basic track measurements may include:
length, depth, width, diameter
gauge, foot gauge
alignment, superelevation, track centres
rail gaps, rail temperature

Measuring equipment may include:
tape measures
gauge boards
stringline
plumb bob
gap gauge
rail thermometer

Tools and equipment may include:
mechanical handling/lifting equipment
track machines
hand tools including impact and tension wrenches, grinders, friction rail saws, rail borers, tie tampers, track jacks, spiking hammers and bars
rail tensors
cutting and boring equipment
fastening equipment
on-track equipment including sleeper spacers
rail heaters
rail threaders
dog pullers

Track components may include:
rails, rail fastenings and welds
sleepers and sleeper fastenings
ballast
formation and earthworks

Track layout may include:
plain track
turnouts
special trackwork including catchpoints, expansion switches, diamond crossings and slips

Basic track geometry may include:
tangent track
curves
transitions
superelevation

Track maintenance and construction methods may include:
basic fettling
resleepering
rerailing
ballasting
track resurfacing
ballast cleaning
rail grinding
concrete sleeper laying

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

Communication equipment 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
works orders
information provided by other workplace personnel
rail inspections and timekeeping records
trackworker standard manual
bridge workers manual
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 regulations and legislation 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
local authority regulations
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:

identifying a range of track terminology
identifying a number of different track components
identifying track tools and equipment relevant to their job role
undertaking basic track measurements

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