This page refers to all RIW Safeworking roles.
Safeworking at ARTC identifies, categorises and records the roles and responsibilities of rail safety workers that are competent to undertake the safe management of rail traffic ensuring that safe separation is maintained between
workers and machinery preventing workers from being struck by rail traffic.
STEP 1
Ensure you have read the procedure RLS-PR-003 – Protocol for Entering the ARTC Rail Corridor and understand the key points from the procedure.
STEP 2
Rail industry workers must be able to produce evidence of being trained for the ARTC network by approved Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in accordance with the ARTC Safeworking Matrix.
The Safeworking Matrix identifies the minimum requirements. Compliance with these requirements does not mean competence across entire network. Local requirements may still be required.
Using the Safeworking Matrix and the Permitted Activities below, identify the role and requirements.
Safeworking Matrix
To identify a training provider that are approved by ARTC to deliver Safeworking training refer the following document:
ARTC Approved Technical Training Providers
Note: Not all training providers are able to provide training in every role and/or in every state/territory across the ARTC network. For specific information, please contact your chosen provider.
STEP 3
Add your role to your RIW profile: riw.net.au/
STEP 4
Upload your competency evidence into RIW against the role to meet the role requirements.
Permitted Activities
NSW Network Rules & Procedures
Queensland and New South Wales
| Role |
Description / Permitted Activities |
| Handsignaller |
Level 1
- Act as a lookout
- Act as an inner or outer handsignaller
- Hand signal rail traffic at a worksite or within a possession
- Compile and issue a Worksite Warning Form
Level 1 conditions:
- Cannot perform handsignalling activities at fixed signals or level crossings.
Level 2
- Activities as prescribed for Handsignaller level 1
- Act as an inner or outer handsignaller at a fixed signal
- Act as a handsignaller at defective signals
- Pilot rail traffic into, within and out of a possession area
- Handsignal at level crossings
- Act as a handsignaller at a Block Post
|
| Protection Officer |
Level 1
- Assess risks.
- Identify level of protection required.
- Act as a lookout
- Implement Work in Corridor (WIC)
- Implement Lookout Working (LOW)
- Implement Absolute Signal Blocking (ASB)
- Implement work in an attended or unattended shunting yard.
- Implement Lookout Working in the limits of a Local Possession Authority (LPA)
Level 2
- Activities as prescribed for Protection Officer Level 1.
- Implement a Track Occupancy Authority (TOA).
- Arrange for track vehicles or work trains to enter the limits of a TOA.
- Obtain the staff in token sections for a TOA.
- Obtain the half pilot staff for a TOA.
- Use an Infrastructure Booking Advice (IBA)
- Establish a worksite within a Local Possession Authority (LPA)
Level 3
- Activities prescribed for Handsignaller Level 2.
- Activities prescribed for Protection Officer Level 2.
- Implement a Track Work Authority (TWA).
- Obtain an X, Y, Z key.
- Act as the designated Protection Officer to coordinate the passage of rail traffic through multiple worksites.
- Arrange protection for Type F level crossings when track circuits are affected.
Level 4
- Activities prescribed for Protection Officer Level 3.
- Implement a Local Possession Authority (LPA).
- Arrange for work trains to enter the limits of a TOA or an LPA.
|
| Track Vehicle Operator |
- Operate a track vehicle outside and within the limits of a protected worksite
- Competent in signs and signal recognition
Conditions:
- Not permitted to implement any form of protection as a Track Vehicle Operator (TVO) unless qualified and competent in relevant safeworking role (i.e. cannot obtain a Track Occupancy Authority (TOA) for the purpose of traveling a track vehicle unless holds a current Protection Officer Level 2 qualification also)
- Must be qualified and competent or accompanied by a qualified worker competent to perform safeworking duties as per the system of safeworking required.
- Must be certified to the system of safeworking applicable in use in the area in which they are operating or accompanied by a crew member competent in the relevant system of safeworking when operating a track vehicle as a train)
|
| Role |
Description / Permitted Activities |
| Safeworking |
Level 1
- Activities prescribed for a Handsignaller Level 2.
- Operate groundframes.
- Operate signalling equipment at unattended locations.
- Operate on authority of a Special Proceed Authority (SPA).
- Transfer track vehicles as a train
Level 1 Conditions:
- Must be certified to the system of safeworking in use in the area in which they are operating.
Level 2
- Activities prescribed for Safeworking Level 1.
- Switch in and operate local control panels.
- Cut in and operate signal boxes.
- Introduce and supervise Pilot Staff Working.
Level 2 Conditions:
- Must be competent in the system of safeworking applicable in use in the area in which they are operating.
|
Defined Interstate Network (ARTC Code of Practice)
South Australia, Western Australia (east of Kalgoorlie), Victoria (west of Dimboola Loop) and NSW (south of Broken Hill).
| Role |
Description / Permitted Activities |
| Handsignaller |
- Act as a Lookout
- Handsignal rail traffic at a worksite or within a possession
|
| Track Worker |
Level 1
- Assess risks
- Identify the level of protection required
- Act as a Lookout
- Implement No Authority Required (NAR)
- Implement Work in Corridor (WIC)
Level 2
- Activities as prescribed for Track Worker Level 1.
- Pilot rail traffic into, within and out of a possession area
- Implement Train Running Information (TRI) Worksite Only
- Implement Track Occupancy Authority (TOA)
- Use an Infrastructure Booking Advice (IBA)
Level 2 Conditions:
- TRI worksite only. Not to be used for travel of ligh track equipment i.e. road/rail vehicle.
Level 3
- Activities as prescribed for Track Worker Level 2
- Implement Track Work Authority (TWA)
Level 4
- Activities as prescribed for Track Worker Level 3
- Implement Local Possession (LP)
- Arrange for work trains to enter the limits of an LP
Level 4 Conditions:
- TRI worksite only. Not to be used for travel of ligh track equipment i.e. road/rail vehicle.
|
| Safeworking |
Level 1
- Operate outlying switch locks.
- Operate signalling equipment at unattended locations.
- Switch in and operate local control panels.
- Obtain a Train Authority (TA) for operating track machines as a train.
- Transfer track vehicles as a train.
Level 1 Conditions:
- Must be competent in the system of safeworking applicable in the area in which they are operating.
|
| Track Vehicle Operator |
- Operate a track vehicle outside the limits of a protected worksite
- Obtain a Train Running Information (TRI) for the purpose of operating a road/rail vehicle
- Obtain a Track Occupancy Authority (TOA) for the purpose of operating a track vehicle
- Obtain a Train Authority (TA) for the purpose of operating a track vehicle
Conditions:
- Must be competent in signal recognition.
- Must be accompanied by a crew member qualified in the relevant system of safeworking when operating a track vehicle as a train.
|
Victoria TA20
East of Dimboola Loop (inclusive) to Albury (exclusive)
| Role |
Description / Permitted Activities |
| Track Protection – Lookout |
|
| Track Protection – Handsignaller |
- Act as a Lookout
- Act as an inner or outer handsignaller at a worksite
- Handsignal rail traffic at a worksite or within a possession
- Act as an inner or outer handsignaller at a fixed signal
- Act as a handsignaller at defective signals
- Handsignal at level crossings (Crossing Keeper)
|
| Track Force Protection Coordinator |
Level 1
- Assess risks
- Identify the level of protection required
- Act as a lookout
- Act as an inner or outer handsignaller
- Handsignal rail traffic at a worksite or within a possession
- Handsignal at level crossings (Crossing Keeper)
- Implement Lookout Working (LOW)
- Implement Work in Corridor (WIC)
Level 2
- Activities as prescribed for Track Force Protection Coordinator Level 1.
- Implement Track Warrant Working
- Implement Track Force Protection – Country Regions
- Pilot track vehicles into, within and out of a Track Warrant
- Implement Absolute Signal Blocking
- Use an Infrastructure Booking Advice (IBA)
Level 3
- Activities as prescribed for Track Force Protection Coordinator Level 2.
- Implement Absolute Occupation of a Running Line
- Coordinating on track machines into, within and out a section
- Operate a road/rail vehicle outside the limits of a protected worksite
- Pilot trains into, within and out of an Absolute Occupation
- Obtain permission for the purpose of operating a road/rail vehicle.
|
| Track Vehicle Operator |
- Assess risks
- Identify the level of protection required
- Implement Lookout Working
- Implement Absolute Signal Blocking
- Implement Track Warrant Working
- Pilot track vehicles into, within and out of a Track Warrant.
- Obtain permission for the purpose of operating a road/rail vehicle.
- Operate a road rail vehicle outside the limits of a protected worksite
- Obtain an Authority for the purpose of driving a road/rail vehicle.
Conditions:
- Must be certified to the system of safeworking applicable in use in the area in which they are operating.
- Must be competent in signal recognition.
|
| Safeworking |
Level 1
- Operate switch locked sidings.
- Operate signalling equipment at unattended locations.
- Operate on authority of a Train Authority.
- Transfer track vehicles as a train
- Switch in and operate local control panels.
- Cut in and operate signal boxes.
Level 1 Conditions:
- Must be certified to the system of safeworking applicable in use in the area in which they are operating.
|
Safeworking Evidence
As part of a collaboration between ARTC and approved RTOs, Safeworking Evidence Matrices were developed for each Safeworking job role.
The purpose of these matrices is to prescribe the minimum evidence requirements for all Safeworking job roles against the Safeworking Matrix. These evidence requirements contribute towards completion of a worker’s initial training and assessment and subsequent recertification.
Should a worker wish to provide evidence that has not been prescribed within the matrices, the worker must discuss this with their chosen RTO.
NSW Safeworking Evidence Matrix
Victoria TA20 Safeworking Evidence Matrix
SA & WA CoP Safeworking Evidence Matrix
Important Information
If further clarification is required contact an ARTC representative at RIWHelp@artc.com.au
