Supervise the preparation of small plant, measuring equipment, and tools for signal renewal and maintenance

This standard is about overseeing and monitoring the preparation of small plant, measuring equipment, and tools for signal renewal or maintenance activities, to ensure that the correct small plant and equipment are available and are in a suitable condition. 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 oversee the preparation of small plant, measuring equipment, and tools for use. You will ensure the equipment safety and preparation checks are conducted using the appropriate methods. The types of equipment to be prepared may be manual, mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical.

During this work, you must take account of the relevant worksite operational requirements, procedures, and safe working practices as they apply to you.

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

Your underpinning knowledge, training, and experience will provide a good understanding of your work and will provide an informed approach to applying problem-solving techniques and procedures during this supervision. Your organisation will have confirmed your competence in performing your duties. Where appropriate, you will hold industry-standard licences or certifications, supported by an Authority to Work Certification issued by your organisation.

You will comply with any organisational procedures, legislative, or regulatory health, safety, and environmental requirements applicable during this supervision.

This standard is for all individuals who are responsible for overseeing or supervising signal 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 confirm that all of the required small plant, measuring equipment, and tools are in a safe and usable condition
P4 ensure the necessary preparations are carried out to small plant, measuring equipment, and tools in line with operational requirements
P5 oversee the preparation of small plant, measuring equipment, and tools
P6 oversee any storage requirements for small plant, measuring equipment or tools
P7 make sure that required safety arrangements are in place to protect other workers from activities that may disrupt normal working
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 the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate types of safety equipment (PPE) and where to obtain it from
K4 the hazards associated with working on signalling infrastructure
K5 the range of equipment to be used that could be manual, mechanical, or hydraulic
K6 how to check equipment safety
K7 how to check and confirm the small plant, measuring equipment, and tools are suitable for the intended task
K8 how to source and interpret information relating to small plant, measuring equipment, and tools
K9 your organisation's procedures for monitoring the preparation of small plant, measuring equipment, and tools
K10 the types of problems that can occur when preparing small plant, measuring equipment, and tools and how these can be overcome
K11 your organisation's procedures for the care, control, and storage of small plant, measuring equipment, and tools
K12 the relevant data management processes and technologies for recording and communicating information
K13 the relevant reporting lines, timeframes, and procedures as approved by your organisation
K14 the interfaces and impact of the work that you are undertaking on others
K15 the allocation of tasks and duties
K16 the benefits of team working and methods to achieve this
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. Types of small plant, measuring equipment, and tools for which materials and components may be required for signal renewal or maintenance 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

3. Manual, mechanical, or hydraulic equipment could include:

   • hand tools
   • small plant
   • measuring equipment
   • application devices
   • lifting equipment (including jacks)
   • rail tensioning equipment
   • temporary lighting

4. Types of equipment safety checks include:

visual checks
manual tests
system checks/pre use

1. Types of information to source and interpret relating to small plant, measuring equipment, and tools, could include:

   • suitability for task
   • certification/calibration validity
   • quality assurance criteria
   • certification/registration
   • wear and defects
   • defect reporting
   • quarantine requirements
   • fuel and lubricant levels plus ensuring the availability of further supplies
   • environmental acceptability
   • management of the equipment

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

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