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Maintain power-operated points-activating devices in position in a rail environment
Level / 4Credits / 4
PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are able to, in a rail environment: prepare for the maintenance of power-operated points-activating devices; carry out routine maintenance; repair points-activating devices; test points-activating devices; and review maintenance work.
Subfield / Rail TransportDomain / Rail Infrastructure
Status / Registered
Status date / 21 May 2008
Date version published / 21 May 2008
Planned review date / 31 December 2013
Entry information / Prerequisite: Unit 24028, Repair and adjust mechanical signalling equipment in position in a rail environment,or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Competenz
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0013
This AMAP can be accessed at
Special notes
1Assessment against this unit standard is to be carried out within the context of an organisation operating under a current, valid Rail Licence issued in accordance with the provisions of the Railways Act 2005. The organisation’s operating rules, codes, and instructions, referred to in this unit standard, are those the organisation has in place to meet the requirements of the Rail Licence.
2Candidates must first hold the appropriate licence, qualification, and/or certification for any electrical work undertaken in the course of assessment for this unit standard. This condition will be in accordance with organisational procedures and/or regulatory requirements that govern live electrical work. Examples include: electrical service technician (A, B), registered electrician.
3Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Railways Act 2005, Resource Management Act 1991, Electricity Act 1992, Electricity Regulations 1997.
4The following Code of Practice applies to this unit standard:
NZECP 60:1997, New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Inspection, Testing and Certification of Low Voltage A.C. Railway Signalling Control Circuits, Ministry of Commerce, Wellington.
5Power-operated points-activating devices may include but are not limited to: points machines; clamp locks; claw locks.
6Maintenanceis to be undertaken on at least three occasions, using one or more items of power operated point activating devices.
7Tools and equipment for maintenance purposes may include but are not limited to: hand and power tools; flood lighting; portable two way radios; air compressors; measuring rules; gauges.
8Operations may:
- be conducted by day or night in all relevant weather conditions;
- be conducted in restricted spaces or exposed conditions or controlled or open environments;
- involve exposure to chemicals, dangerous or hazardous substances and movements of equipment, materials and vehicles.
9Competenz acknowledges the assistance provided by the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council in permitting unit of competency TDTB5201A, Maintain On-Site Power Operated Point Activating Devices to be used as the basis for this unit standard.
10Definitions
Componentrefers to any mechanical, electrical, electronic, or pneumatic/hydraulic part or parts assembly used in or in conjunction with any power-operated points-activating devices.
In position refers to equipment located in its usual place within the rail network, as opposed to being temporarily off-site in, for example, an engineering workshop or other maintenance facility.
Organisational proceduresrefer to documents that include: worksite rules, codes, and practices; equipment operating instructions; routine maintenance schedules; technical specifications; documented quality management systems; maintenance schedules; and health and safety requirements.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Prepare for the maintenance of power-operated points-activating devices.
Performance criteria
1.1Relevant instructions and information are accessed in accordance with job requirements and organisational procedures.
1.2Work is planned to ensure safe maintenance activities and minimum disruption to train operations.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – rail permissions, track protection, Train Control bulletins, local work schedules, train movements, special circumstances.
1.3Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used in accordance with organisational requirements.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – high visibility clothing, hearing protection, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, safety glasses, insect repellent, safety headwear, safety footwear, portable radios, hand lamps, flags.
Element 2
Carry out routine maintenance.
Performance criteria
2.1Maintenance is carried out on points-activating devices in accordance with organisational procedures to ensure technical and operational specifications are met.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – cleaning, brushing, lubricating.
2.2Adjustments to points-activating devices are made to ensure correct operation, and perway fastenings and timbers are inspected for conformity to organisational procedures.
2.3Maintenance work activities are recorded as per organisational procedures to provide accurate records.
Element 3
Repair points-activating devices.
Performance criteria
3.1The correct functioning of the equipment is established in accordance with organisational procedures.
3.2Faulty, worn, damaged, or insecure components are replaced, repaired or secured in accordance with organisational procedures.
Element 4
Test points-activating devices.
Rangetest instruments may include but are not limited to – multi meter, ammeter, voltmeter, ohmmeter, high/low voltage insulation, resistance/continuity tester, test lamp, stopwatches, mimic panels.
Performance criteria
4.1Correct calibration of test instruments is verified in accordance with organisational procedures.
4.2The equipment is tested using approved testing procedures and equipment in accordance with organisational procedures.
4.3Points-activating devices are taken out of service and/or brought back into use in accordance with organisational procedures.
Element 5
Review maintenance work.
Performance criteria
5.1Appropriate documentation is completed in accordance with organisational procedures.
5.2Reusable, faulty, or worn components are tagged and dispatched for repair in accordance with organisational procedures.
5.3Faulty perway conditions and/or components are documented to provide details for corrective action in accordance with organisational procedures.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
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New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018