Carry out removal of components from telecoms equipment

This standard identifies the competencies you need to carry out the removal of components from telecoms systems and equipment 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 components from the equipment and make safe any connections as appropriate to the components removed. Where appropriate, you may also assist in working with computers or electronic controllers, making dis-connections and removing hardware components. The removal activities will include making sure that any removed telecoms components are moved and stored safely before it is repaired, refitted or disposed of.

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 or alone. 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.

You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the removal activities, especially those for ensuring the safe isolation of services. 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 and analyse any necessary changes to safety requirements on arriving at site, including prompt reporting to the relevant person(s)
P3 locate and identify the component(s) to be removed
P4 source and interpret all relevant diagrams and specifications
P5 establish, and where appropriate, mark component(s) orientation for re- assembly
P6 ensure that any stored energy or substances are released following safe working practices and in accordance with your organisation's procedures
P7 label relevant wiring and components and note the configuration settings
P8 follow the required procedure for disconnection, when isolating the working area from other systems
P9 remove the required component(s) using approved procedures, tools and techniques and in a way that does not interfere with any operational railway systems
P10 use authorised practices where existing instructions are insufficient
P11 take suitable precautions to prevent damage to component(s) during removal
P12 check the condition of the removed component(s) and record those that will require replacing
P13 provide appropriate electrostatic protection for electronic equipment, where applicable
P14 store or discard the removed component(s) in line with your organisation's procedures
P15 ensure that interference with other systems is minimised, and equipment and systems other than those being maintained are not disturbed without authority
P16 address problems within your control and report unresolved issues
P17 complete all relevant documentation in line with your organisation's procedures

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 component(s) 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 how to source, interpret and apply relevant technical information, standards, diagrams, instructions, specifications and schedules for maintenance of telecoms equipment
K11 the importance of marking the component(s) orientation for re-assembly and how to undertake this
K12 the relevant methods, techniques and procedures for component removal and handling
K13 the implications of not following the methods and techniques for safe component handling
K14 the types of component defects that could occur
K15 the principles of operation of the equipment to be removed
K16 your organisation's procedures for the use, care and control of tools and test equipment including calibration
K17 the procedures and precautions to be adopted to eliminate electrostatic discharge (ESD) hazards when working with and handling electronic devices
K18 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
K19 how to identify the various types of connectors used and the correct tools and equipment to make the disconnections
K20 the different types of mounting, connecting and cable supporting systems used by the telecoms equipment
K21 how to label and store removed component(s) for re-use, repair or disposal
K22 how to respond to influencing factors whilst carrying out the maintenance tasks, including environmental factors
K23 your organisation's procedures for recording the removal activity
K24 the relevant reporting lines and procedures that are approved by your organisation
K25 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 from which components may be removed 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 components being removed, 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 components, as applicable to the type of equipment, include:

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

6. Removal activities may need to comply the following:

   • infrastructure guidelines and standard operating procedures
   • equipment manufacturer's documents
   • BS, ISO and/or BS EN standards
   • TMTH
   • 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
   • TMTH
   • equipment logs and action report
   • company reporting procedures
   • other industry specific equipment records