Gather and interpret information needed for signal engineering activities

This standard is about gathering and interpreting information needed for signal engineering activities and covers the locating and understanding of information contained within diagrams and specifications for use by technical and supervisory staff. The signalling equipment in this standard can be for overground or underground rail transportation systems and can apply to newer systems, such as the European Train Control System (ETCS).

You will be required to gather and interpret information such as diagrams and specifications for signal engineering activities. You will be able to make full use of the information obtained and seek advice from other relevant people or sources as necessary. You will understand the level and extent of your responsibility.

You will be expected to work within approved procedures and specifications and will work within the limits of your own responsibility. 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 when gathering and interpreting information needed for signal engineering activities.

You will comply with any organisational procedures, and legislative or regulatory health, safety, and environmental requirements applicable when gathering and interpreting information needed for signal engineering activities.

This standard is for all supervisors carrying out signal engineering activities.

P1 maintain safe working practices and comply with all relevant health and safety regulations, directives, and guidelines
P2 source and follow the appropriate schedules, diagrams, and related specifications for the work being carried out as approved by your organisation
P3 obtain the required diagrams and specifications as approved by your organisation
P4 interpret the relevant diagrams and specifications
P5 identify, extract, and analyse the required information
P6 use the information obtained to ensure that work output meets the specification
P7 report any inaccuracies or discrepancies in diagrams and specifications
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

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. This should include the limits of your personal responsibility, your legal responsibility for your own health and safety and the health and safety of others
K3 how to locate and identify the signalling infrastructure for the inspection
K4 how to source and follow schedules, diagrams, and specifications relevant to your role, as approved by your organisation
K5 the type and complexity of diagrams and specifications
K6 how to source and interpret information and documentation systems approved by your organisation
K7 the information to be extracted from the diagrams and specifications
K8 how to ensure that information and documentation is current, complete, and accurate
K9 how to interpret the conventions, symbols, and abbreviations approved by your organisation in its engineering diagrams and specifications
K10 how to access and analyse wider sources of information
K11 how to identify and select the required data
K12 your organisation's document care and control procedures and why it is important to follow them
K13 the planning arrangements and mitigation to minimise disruptive effect on normal operations and neighbours
K14 the relevant data management processes and technologies for recording information
K15 the relevant reporting lines, timeframes, and procedures as approved by your organisation
K16 the interfaces and impact of the work that you are undertaking on others
K17 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:

   • 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. Schedules, diagrams, and specifications could include:

   • organisational work schedules
   • technical diagrams and schematics
   • maintenance and installation specifications
   • project timelines and deadlines

3. Wider sources of information could include:

   • line manager
   • power suppliers
   • other infrastructure disciplines
   • manufacturers

4. Types of signalling equipment for which information is required 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

5. Information to be extracted could include:

   • clearances
   • tolerances
   • limits
   • component specifications
   • historical performance data
   • real-time monitoring data
   • diagnostic reports
   • operational logs

6. Types of documentation to prepare and report could include:

   • preparation checklists
   • progress reports
   • safety inspection forms
   • work completion records
   • handover documentation