Carry out routine inspection of the permanent way infrastructure
Overview
This standard is about patrolling and routine inspection work undertaken to ensure the immediate safety of the line and the identification of medium and long-term deterioration of the permanent way infrastructure.
You will be required to carry out basic visual inspection of the permanent way (on/off track). The level and extent of responsibility includes both your own safety and that of your colleagues. Where necessary, authorisation must be obtained before work is carried out on the permanent way infrastructure. You will be expected to work in accordance with your organisation's procedures and be responsible for the quality of your own work. The type of assets and components to be inspected will be aspects of the permanent way infrastructure.
The aspects, characteristics and complexity of the inspection will depend on the assets and components that are to be inspected. The checks undertaken during inspection will be mainly visual and could include the track and/or line side environment.
During this work, you must take account of the relevant worksite operational requirements, procedures and safe working practices as they apply to you.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work and will provide an informed approach to applying problem-solving techniques and procedures to carry out the routine inspection of the permanent way.
You will comply with any organisational procedures, and legislative or regulatory health, safety and environmental requirements applicable for the inspection.
This standard is for all skilled operatives carrying out permanent way engineering activities.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 maintain safe working practices and comply with all relevant health and safety regulations, directives, and guidelines
P2 identify any necessary changes to safety requirements upon site arrival and report to the relevant person(s) without delay
P3 source and follow the appropriate schedules, diagrams and related specifications for the work being carried out as approved by your organisation
P4 obtain all of the equipment required for the inspection ensuring that it is in safe and usable condition
P5 identify and confirm the inspection checks to be made and acceptance criteria to be used
P6 carry out all required inspections in accordance with your organisation's procedures
P7 identify any defects or variations from the specification
P8 prepare appropriate documentation to update on progress and report completion of activities in line with your organisation's procedures
P9 address problems within your control and report unresolved issues
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 the relevant health and safety regulations, directives, guidelines, and safe working practices and procedures defined by your organisation, as appropriate to the activity and your working area
K2 your responsibilities in respect of health, safety and environment, including the limits of your personal responsibility, your legal responsibility for your own health and safety and the health and safety of others
K3 the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate type of safety equipment (PPE) and where to obtain it from
K4 how to locate and access the site
K5 hazards associated with working on permanent way infrastructure
K6 how to locate and identify the permanent way infrastructure for the inspection
K7 how to source and follow schedules, diagrams and specifications relevant to your role, as approved by your organisation
K8 what constitutes the track or line side environment as defined by your organisation
K9 the operational or environmental constraints that could occur whilst undertaking visual inspections, including:
K9.1 open to traffic
K9.2 closed to traffic
K9.3 restricted track access
K9.4 day work/night work
K9.5 weather conditions
K9.6 check/guard rails
K9.7 foot/vehicle crossings
K10 your organisation's methods and techniques for inspection relevant to your role
K11 what constitutes a defect or variation to the permanent way infrastructure
K12 how to identify defects and variations in components, equipment or systems by visual means
K13 when immediate action is required, including as appropriate, reporting faults and/or defects, removal of debris
K14 what quality control systems and documentation procedures are required by your organisation
K15 the relevant data management processes and technologies for recording information
K16 the relevant reporting lines, timeframes and procedures as approved by your organisation
K17 the impact of your work on the operations of other departments and the impact of their work for you
K18 the limits of your own authority and responsibility and those of others involved