Assist in the removal of telecoms equipment

This standard identifies the competencies you need to assist in the removal of operational telecoms systems and equipment under direction as part of maintenance or fault finding. The telecoms equipment in this standard can be for overground or underground rail transportation systems.

You will be required to use the appropriate tools and equipment throughout the removal activities, apply a range of disconnection methods and techniques to safely remove the equipment and make safe any connections as appropriate to the equipment removed. Where appropriate, you may also assist in working with computers or electronic controllers, making disconnections and removing hardware. The removal activities will include making sure that any removed telecoms equipment is moved and stored safely before it is repaired, refitted or disposed of.

You must check that all tools, equipment and materials used in the activities are removed from the work area on completion of the work and that the relevant job/task documentation is completed accurately and legibly.

You will be expected to work to instructions in conjunction with others. The removal activity may be carried out as a team effort, but you must demonstrate a significant personal contribution to the activities to satisfy the requirements of the standard and you must demonstrate competence in all the areas required by the standard.

Safety is a key theme throughout this standard. You will be able to take all relevant action to ensure the safety of yourself, others and railway operations.

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 locate and identify the equipment to be removed
P4 follow all relevant diagrams and specifications
P5 establish and, where appropriate, mark component/equipment orientation for re-assembly
P6 ensure that any stored energy or substances are released following safe working practices, in line with your organisation's procedures
P7 label relevant wiring and components and note the configuration settings
P8 remove the required equipment using approved tools and techniques
P9 take suitable precautions to prevent damage to equipment during removal
P10 provide appropriate electrostatic protection for electronic equipment, where appropriate
P11 store or discard the removed equipment in accordance with your organisation's procedures
P12 report completion of activities in line with your organisation's procedures
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 how to locate and access the site
K3 how to locate and identify the equipment, components and cables to be removed
K4 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)
K5 the classification of different voltage levels and the authority requirements for working on them
K6 what constitutes a hazardous voltage/current and how to recognise victims of electric shock
K7 how to reduce the risks of an electric shock (such as insulated tools, rubber mating and isolating transformers)
K8 the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment (PPE) during the removal activities
K9 hazards associated with carrying out telecom removal activities (such as stored voltages, radio frequency radiation, electrical supplies, electrical/electronic interfaces, using damaged or ill-maintained tools and equipment, not following laid-down procedures), and how to minimise these and reduce any risks
K10 the importance of marking the component/equipment orientation for re- assembly and how to undertake this
K11 the relevant methods, techniques and procedures for the removal activities
K12 how to source and follow the relevant technical information, standards, diagrams, instructions, specifications and schedules for the removal of telecoms equipment
K13 your organisation's procedures for the use, care and control of tools and equipment
K14 the procedures and precautions to be adopted to eliminate electrostatic discharge (ESD) hazards when working with and handling electronic devices
K15 how to select the correct tools for the activity, including how to confirm that they are calibrated and stored in accordance with your organisation's procedures after use
K16 how to identify the various types of connectors used and the correct tools and equipment to make the disconnections
K17 the different types of mounting, connecting and cable supporting systems used by the telecoms equipment
K18 how to label and store removed equipment for re-use, repair or disposal
K19 the relevant reporting lines and procedures that are approved by your organisation
K20 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, 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 telecom site 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 telecom equipment requiring removal could include:

   • transmission systems
   • bearer circuits
   • telecoms bearers carrying signalling circuits
   • SCADA
   • operational telephones
   • switches and systems (such as telephone exchanges & concentrators)
   • railway operational information systems
   • PA and CCTV
   • operational CCTV (such as OPO/DOO)
   • GSM-R
   • other industry specific telecom equipment

4. Types of approved/calibrated tools and equipment used, as applicable to the equipment being removed, could include:

   • power tools
   • hand tools
   • wire and cable strippers/cutters
   • IDC tools
   • termination tools
   • wrenches
   • soldering irons
   • manual handling equipment

5. Types of connections to be disconnected during the removal of the equipment, as applicable to the type of equipment, will include:

   • mechanical
   • soldered
   • electronic
   • IDC
   • optical
   • other specific type of termination/connection

6. Removal activities may need to comply with the following:

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

7. Types of removal records that need to be completed and passed to the appropriate people could include:

   • job card
   • equipment logs and action report
   • company reporting procedures
   • other industry specific equipment records