Establish compliance with specifications for signalling equipment

This standard identifies the competencies you need to establish that maintained or newly installed signalling systems and equipment (including software and hardware) comply with the test specifications and plans. You will follow a prepared test plan, carrying out integrity checks and functional tests, ensuring that the results are within specification before the signalling system returns to service. The signalling equipment in this standard can be for overground or underground rail transportation systems and can apply to the European Train Control System (ETCS).

You will be required to use the appropriate tools and equipment throughout the checking and testing activities, apply a range of methods and techniques to test the system equipment and make connections as appropriate to the equipment installed. Where appropriate, you may also work with computers or electronic controllers, making connections and testing hardware/software. The testing and checking activities will include making checks in line with your permitted authority and assisting others to ensure that the signalling equipment functions to the required specifications.

On completion, you will ensure the work area is cleared of all tools, equipment, and materials, and complete job documentation accurately.

You will be expected to work to instructions in conjunction with others. As a result of the tests, you will determine whether the system is functioning correctly and complies with the testing plan before the signalling system enters/returns to service.

Safety is a key theme; you must practice and demonstrate safe working methods, understanding and implementing necessary precautions to protect yourself and others.

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 interpret the relevant specifications for the equipment being checked/tested, including previous compliance information and maintenance records available
P4 identify and analyse the checks/tests to be carried out, the sequence in which they are to be performed and the methods and equipment to be used
P5 select and use all the correct tools and inspection equipment and check that they are in a useable condition
P6 carry out the checks and tests in an appropriate sequence, within appropriate timescales using approved methods and procedures in accordance with operational requirements
P7 carry out checks and tests in a manner that minimises the interference with other systems and equipment and is within the limits of your own authority
P8 observe sufficient operations of the equipment to confirm it is functioning correctly for the type of equipment being checked/tested
P9 identify and assess any defects or variations from the specification and take appropriate action
P10 report completion of compliance activities in line with your organisation's procedures
P11 report any instances where the checks/tests cannot be fully met or where there are identified defects outside the planned compliance activities
P12 complete relevant records and/or documentation accurately and pass them onto the appropriate person(s)
P13 address problems within your control and report unresolved issues

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 the relevant railway possession and protection arrangements for the work site and equipment to provide a safe system of work and how to check these have been implemented
K3 how to locate and access the site
K4 the activities which may compromise system functionality and integrity including the operational constraints to carrying out checking/testing activities
K5 how to identify, analyse and deal with influencing factors whilst carrying out the tests, including environmental factors
K6 the isolation and lock-off procedure or permit-to-work procedure that applies to the system (such as electrical isolation, locking off switchgear, placing of warning notices, proving the isolation has been achieved and secured)
K7 the classification of different voltage levels and the authority requirements for working on them
K8 what constitutes a hazardous voltage/current and how to recognise victims of electric shock
K9 how to reduce the risks of an electric shock (such as insulated tools, rubber matting and isolating transformers)
K10 the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment (PPE) during the testing activities
K11 the hazards associated with carrying out signalling test activities (such as stored energy, radio frequency radiation, electrical supplies, electrical/electronic interfaces, using damaged or badly maintained tools and equipment, not following laid-down testing procedures), and how to minimise these and mitigate any risks
K12 how to source and interpret relevant technical information, standards, diagrams, instructions, specifications, plans and other related information for the checking/testing of signalling equipment
K13 the principles of operation of the equipment to be tested
K14 the correct mode of operation of the system to be checked/tested, including acceptable operational variances
K15 how to locate and identify the equipment to be checked/tested
K16 how to select and use the correct tools and test equipment and confirm they are suitable for use and calibrated
K17 the methods and techniques for compliance checking and testing
K18 the types of analytical methods and techniques in checking and testing, including as appropriate, observation, calculation and comparison
K19 how to use test equipment so as to ensure true and accurate measurements are taken
K20 your organisation's procedures for the use, care and control of inspection tools and equipment
K21 the importance of calibrating tools and test equipment
K22 how to interpret and analyse information from measuring instruments, including as appropriate, performing calculations
K23 the procedures and precautions to be adopted to eliminate electrostatic discharge (ESD) hazards when working with and handling electronic devices
K24 the types of defects or variations that could occur in maintained or newly installed signalling systems
K25 how defects and variations can affect the safety and performance of the signalling system
K26 the procedures for the control of a non-conforming component or equipment and how to assess the safety implications
K27 when independent testing is required
K28 how to verify that the checking/testing activity has been completed
K29 your organisation's procedures for the control checking/testing activities
K30 the relevant reporting lines and procedures that are approved by your organisation
K31 the limits of your own authority and responsibility and those of others involved

1. Types of health and safety legislation, regulations and safe working practices and procedures, as applicable to the work location and activities, could include:

   • your organisation's safety management system
   • control of substances hazardous to health
   • safe work plans
   • track access restrictions
   • track work instructions
   • track possession
   • task risk control sheets
   • current rule book
   • regulations for working under OLE and in the vicinity of DC lines (where appropriate)
   • equipment disconnections
   • manual handling
   • reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences
   • safety signage legal requirements
   • PPE

2. Types of site testing locations could include:

   • trackside
   • internal (such as signal box, equipment room)
   • areas to which the public have access
   • confined spaces
   • elevated structures

3. Types of maintained or newly installed signalling equipment, on which compliance testing may be conducted, could include:

   • points
   • train control (such as signals, balises or other method of authorising train movements)
   • train detection (such as track circuits or axle counters)
   • power supplies
   • ETCS
   • other industry specific signalling equipment

4. Types of tools and equipment used, as applicable to the equipment being tested, will include:

   • calibrated hand tools
   • un-calibrated hand tools
   • calibrated test leads/loads
   • computerised test equipment
   • test recording equipment
   • other specific signalling test equipment

5. Checks conducted, as applicable to the type of signalling equipment being tested, could include:

   • inspection
   • wire count
   • security
   • profile
   • labelling
   • correlation
   • compliance to diagrams
   • physical condition
   • other industry specific signalling checks

6. Tests conducted, as applicable to the type of signalling equipment being tested, could include:

   • continuity
   • insulation
   • earthing arrangements
   • interference
   • correspondence
   • function
   • other industry specific signalling tests

7. Testing activities may need to be carried out in accordance with the following:

   • infrastructure guidelines and standard operating procedures
   • equipment manufacturer's documents
   • BS, ISO and/or BS EN standards
   • authorised test plan
   • other industry specific signalling standards/specifications

8. Types of test/compliance records that need to be completed and passed to the appropriate people could include:

   • job card
   • test certificates
   • test checklists
   • test log and action report
   • marked-up engineering drawings
   • company reporting procedures
   • other industry specific test/compliance records