Plan permanent way activities

This standard is about planning permanent way activities and covers the methods that are used to plan the utilisation of resources for maintenance or renewal activities including the estimation of timescales, preparation of method statements and planning for special requirements.

You will be required to plan permanent way engineering activities which results in the preparation of a plan. You will know the type of maintenance and renewal activities to be planned, the types of resources to be used, the type and range of plans to be produced and will ensure that the information gathered is relevant to the work to be carried out. You will be able to take into account the activities to be undertaken and the limitations of the work environment. The complexity of the plan will depend on the nature or size of the activity to be undertaken.

You will be expected to work within approved procedures and specifications and will work within the limits of your own responsibility.

Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work and will provide an informed approach to applying problem-solving techniques and procedures when planning permanent way activities.

You will comply with any organisational procedures, and legislative or regulatory health, safety and environmental requirements applicable when planning permanent way activities.

This standard is for all supervisors carrying out permanent way engineering activities.

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 identify and analyse the information required for the activity
P5 identify health and safety issues and safe working practices and procedures that must be followed, including:
P5.1 relevant local safety certificates
P5.2 the implementation of relevant documentation
P5.3 the implementation of a safe system of work
P5.4 the use of relevant personal protective equipment
P6 identify the activities to be carried out and determine their sequence
P7 establish which methods are required and what resources are to be used, including:
P7.1 documentation - current and appropriate
P7.2 tools, plant and test equipment - calibrated and serviceable
P7.3 materials, replacement equipment and consumables
P7.4 communications equipment
P7.5 personnel - total required and competence
P8 identify any special requirements and incorporate them in the plan
P9 identify where technical documentation, resources, equipment, materials or tools are not available and deal with the deficiency in accordance with your organisation's procedures
P10 prioritise work activities to achieve objectives whilst taking into account cost and efficiency
P11 estimate timescales required
P12 prepare and record the plan
P13 communicate the plans to relevant colleagues
P14 prepare appropriate documentation to update on progress and report completion of activities in line with your organisation's procedures
P15 address problems within your control and report unresolved issues
P16 discuss and agree with line manager effective and efficient alternatives where planned activities cannot be achieved

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 environmental and safety risks associated with working with hazardous substances and materials
K7 how to source and follow schedules, diagrams and specifications relevant to your role, as approved by your organisation
K8 the type of maintenance activities to be planned including inspection, testing, dismantling, replacing, adjusting and maintaining the permanent way infrastructure including:
K8.1 replacement of ballast profile
K8.2 dealing with fouled ballast
K8.3 replacing and adjusting sleepers and bearers
K8.4 replacing and adjusting rails (including joints, clips, pads, insulators and check/guard rails)
K8.5 restoring track geometry
K8.6 maintaining and clearing track drains and vegetation
K8.7 removing waste material
K8.8 routine preventative maintenance
K9 the type of permanent way renewal activities including dismantling, installing and renewing the permanent way infrastructure including:
K9.1 earthworks, formations, structures and drainage
K9.2 ballast
K9.3 sleepers and bearers
K9.4 rails and associated fastenings
K9.5 restoration of track geometry
K9.6 concrete track forms
K10 the types of resources to be used and how to check their availability including
K10.1 people (including skill requirements)
K10.2 plant
K10.3 equipment
K10.4 materials
K11 how to prepare and record a plan, including the types of plans to be produced:
K11.1 method statements
K11.2 contingency plans
K11.3 bar charts/ activity durations
K11.4 critical activity milestones
K11.5 lines open/blocked to traffic
K11.6 AC and DC line working and isolations
K11.7 material lead times
K11.8 site access and welfare facilities (such as accommodation, toilets)
K11.9 lifting plans
K12 the relevant planning methods and techniques, including:
K12.1 computer-based programmes
K12.2 diagrammatical plans
K12.3 resource estimating (quantities and cost)
K13 the types of information and document systems approved by your organisation, including:
K13.1 work plans
K13.2 written company procedures
K13.3 method statements
K13.4 local policy statements
K13.5 safety briefing procedures
K13.6 skill databases
K14 how to prioritise work activities to achieve objectives whilst taking into account cost and efficiency
K15 how to source and interpret information and whom to approach for clarification
K16 your organisation's procedures for specifying requirements, such as, requesting and securing resources required for the maintenance activities
K17 how to present information to the required standard using set proformas and templates, including:
K17.1 work methodology
K17.2 calculations of man hours
K17.3 staffing requirements
K17.4 equipment, tools and materials
K18 how and when planned activities cannot be achieved
K19 the relevant data management processes and technologies for recording information
K20 the relevant reporting lines, timeframes and procedures as approved by your organisation
K21 the impact of your work on the operations of other departments and the impact of their work for you
K22 the limits of your own authority and responsibility and those of others involved