Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The range statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in italics in the Performance criteria is explained here.
Rail terminology may relate to infrastructure, such as:
rail, including:
mass
rail head
web
rail foot
jointed
continuously welded: thermit or flashbutt
fastening (dog spike, pandrol clip and fishplate)
sleeper plate
sleeper (timber, concrete or steel)
ballast
rack
formation
points and crossings (turnouts, crossovers and diamonds)
curves (circular or transition) and cant
grades
track, including deterioration and maintenance, re-sleepering, surfacing and tamping
substation and feeder system
electrical overhead (catenary, contact, dropper wire, span wire, centre pole, span pole and building rosette)
train signalling (fixed or automatic)
tram signalling
tram squares
stations
depots
level crossings
sidings
rolling stock:
locomotives
trains:
passenger
freight: container, flat, open, van, hopper and tank
special purpose, including:
special vehicles
multi-units
trailers
road/rail vehicles
tram cars
hi rail
self-propelled vehicles
diesel motive units (DMUs)
historic/heritage rolling stock
rolling stock systems:
traction
braking
running gear (wheelsets, bogies, couplers and draft gear)
pantograph
trolley pole
rail operations:
safeworking systems: train control, space interval or block working, running lines, authorisation of movements, fixed and onboard signals, drive on sight operations, staff (token) working, train order working, electronic authority, manual and automatic signalling, indicators
systems interfaces (outline, wheel/rail, train/signals)
Elements of railway systems may include:
railway infrastructure
railway technologies
railway operations and management
systems engineering
systems interfaces
access arrangements
safety considerations, such as:
structural
design
performance
maintenance
interfaces
human factors
crashworthiness
emergency requirements
safety management systems for rail transport operators
Railway technologies may include:
rolling stock, including:
locomotives
rail cars
trams
monorails
road/rail vehicles
passenger rolling stock
freight rolling stock
special vehicles, multi-units and trailers
electric motive units (EMUs) and DMUs
historic/heritage rolling stock
rolling stock systems
rail vehicle crashworthiness
vehicle maintenance
wheel/rail interface theory and practice
railway traction and braking
traction power and distribution
track and road bed
signalling
Railway infrastructure may include:
track infrastructure, including:
track systems and geometry
track beds and components
points and crossings
curves and grades
structures for railways, such as cuttings, embankments, tunnels and bridges
level crossings
kinematic envelopes/rolling stock outlines
gauging
on-street tram tracks
electrical infrastructure, including:
electrification systems, such as overhead live electrical and third rail
electric traction supply systems, including electromagnetic interference from traction supplies, e.g. electrolysis
signalling infrastructure, including:
fixed
manual and automatic signalling
basic principles of signalling and train control
tram signals
communications for train control
automatic train protection systems
train monitoring
trackside warning systems
cab-based signalling or train protection systems
Systems interfaces may include:
projects
tramway squares
electrical systems substations
systems engineering and systems integration
new works approvals, including identification of issues relating to management of change and material change
management of major railway projects
infrastructure maintenance systems and possessions planning
safeworking and operations, including rules and operating procedures for safeworking on trains
Information may include:
uniform administration guidelines
business rules for audits
safety notices
national audit program information
Other rail safety regulatory staff may include:
colleagues and supervisors
inter-jurisdictional regulatory staff
Rail safety operating principles include:
identification and management of risk
protection of persons from injury
protection of property from damage
ensuring that emergencies and incidents are properly managed
ensuring that interfaces between different organisations are properly defined and managed
track access
train separation
Applicable current national and international standards may include:
Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) (formerly Code Management Company [CMC]) codes and standards, e.g. Code of Practice for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers Volumes 1 and 2
AS4292 series: Railway Safety Management
AS/NZS4360 Risk Management and HB436:2004 Risk Management Guidelines
AS/NZS/ISO 9000 series: Quality Management Systems
AS/NZS15288 Systems engineering - System life cycle processes
AS/NZS61508 Functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems
AS/NZS/ISO 19011 Guidelines for Quality and/or Environmental Management System Auditing
AS/NZS3931 Risk Analysis of Technological Systems - Application Guide
AS1742.7 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Part 7: Railway Crossings
AS3806 Compliance Programs
relevant international standards, such as:
European Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs)
European Norms (ENs)
British Railway Group Standards (RGSs)
Implications may include:
a requirement that rail transport operators demonstrate that use of the appropriate standard or code will mitigate the risk
Duty holders include:
rail transport operators - rail infrastructure managers and/or rolling stock operators
contractors
designers, manufacturers, suppliers, commissioners, erectors and installers
de-commissioners
managers of private sidings
rail safety workers
Purpose of general duties is:
to provide a concise statement of a duty holder's overall safety responsibilities
General duties are:
broad legal requirements that define the extent and nature of the responsibilities of a duty holder
described as general duties to distinguish them from other more specific and detailed legal requirements
sometimes referred to as 'general duties of care' or more simply as 'the duty of care'
Rail industry organisations may include:
rail transport operators
industry associations
unions
maintainers
suppliers
contractors

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the unit descriptor, performance criteria, The range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
the knowledge requirements of this unit
the skill requirements of this unit
application of employability skills as they relate to this unit
effective operation within the regulatory framework for rail safety in a range of 3 or more contexts or occasions over time.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when working within the regulatory framework for rail safety, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
Resources essential for assessment include:
legislation, guidelines, codes of practice and standards relating to rail safety
current rail industry terminology and meanings
organisational procedures, guidelines and protocols for working within the regulatory framework for rail safety
scenarios and/or case studies to illustrate the range of situations likely to be encountered when working within the regulatory framework for rail safety
access to relevant systems
Method of assessment
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit must use authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses and may include a combination of two or more of:
research projects
simulation or role plays
case studies and scenarios
workplace projects
portfolios
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate and where the person has a disability the principle of reasonable adjustment should be applied during assessment.
Assessment methods should reflect but not exceed workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:
people with disabilities
people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
women
young people
older people
people in rural and remote locations
Suggested units that may be co-assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include:
PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service
PSPGOV504B Undertake research and analysis
PSPGOV512A Use complex workplace communication strategies
PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPRAIL502A Assess and administer accreditation and registration applications
PSPRAIL504A Review and promote safety culture
BSBAUD503B Lead a quality audit
Guidance information for assessment
For consistency of assessment:
evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments
Assessing employability skills:
employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors
the way these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts
employability skills embedded in this unit of competency should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification, and in the context of the job role
In practice, operating effectively within the regulatory framework for rail safety overlaps with other generalist or specialist work activities, such as undertaking research and analysis, acting ethically, using complex communication strategies, leading quality audits, and assessing and administering accreditation and registration applications. Co-assessment with units of competency addressing these other activities could be considered.