1.6

Any plant modified outside of manufacturer’s specifications must be engineered, certified and approved by a competent person

Plant Modification

For low impact modifications, a competent person would typically be a Project or Regional Plant Manager and/or Rail Plant Services Engineer. 

Modifications classified as high impact will require secondary peer group review and approval. A peer group would involve at a minimum:

• Project or Business Group Plant Manager, or Rail Plant Services Engineer (as appropriate)
• Rail Group Safety and Accreditation Manager (or delegate - for all rolling stock modifications)
• National Plant Manager (or delegate – for all non-rolling stock modifications)
• Regional HSEQ Manager (or delegate)
• Project Manager (or delegate)
• Plant, equipment or rollingstock owner

See the “Plant Modification” section of the Plant and Equipment Procedure for how to determine the impact classification of plant modification.

1.A

Before operating any plant, machinery or vehicles, you must hold any applicable licenses, be verified as competent (where required), and have completed a daily pre-start check

Light / Heavy Vehicles

Vehicle Licencing requirements

Licensing requirements for light or heavy vehicles are administered by state and territory road authorities. Visit the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Licensing website to direct you to the relevant information.

High-risk work

High-Risk Work Licence

A high-risk work licence is required to operate some plant and equipment as well as conduct certain activities on site. 

Licences are required for:

Verification of Competency

Verification of Competency

A Verification of Competency (VOC) is in addition to the attainment of any high-risk work licence and/or other qualification.

Mandatory VOCs include:

For Rail operations/rolling stock, use a Rail specific VOC.

1.B

Only operate plant, machinery or vehicles if you are fit to work and agree to comply with all relevant road and rail rules

Fit to Work

To determine if you are fit to work, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs?
2. Am I currently taking prescribed medication that can impact my cognitive response?
3. Am I suffering from significant headaches or migraines that may impact my concentration levels?
4. Is my current mental state preventing me from focusing on a task?
5. Am I getting less than 6 hours sleep a night?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you may not be fit to work.  Discuss these symptoms with either your Supervisor or Workplace Wellbeing Champion.

Light / heavy Vehicles

Click on the links below to find out what road rules apply in your State or Territory.

ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA

3.1

All lifting operations must be planned, managed and conducted by a competent person(s)

Lifting operations

Competencies for lift planners are outlined below:

Competencies for all other roles associated with lifting are outlined in the Lifting Operations Competency Matrix (example below):

All personnel undertaking high-risk work must possess the relevant high-risk work licence and be verified as competent in accordance with the Verification of Competency (VOC) Procedure. 

See GMR 1.A above for a list of verification of competencies.

3.2

Nominate the role of a Lift Designer for both pre-contracts and delivery phases

Lift Designers

Lift Designers are nominated by the Project Development Manager (for pre-contacts) and Workplace Manager (for project delivery).

To become a qualified Lift Designer, you must attend the following internal John Holland training/competencies:

1. Lifting Operations Procedure Familiarisation Training
2. Lift Designer Training
3. Lift Designer Level 2 Competency Assessment

The Lift Designer must also gain approval from the Workplace Manager, have previous experience in the lift design process, be mentored by the Heavy Lift Specialist and be issued a Competency Letter from the John Holland Lift and Shift Team.

3.3

Ground bearing capacities must be assessed and certified (if required) by a competent person

Assess ground Bearing Capacities

Competencies for assessing bearing capacities include:

• Critical lift – certified by Professional Engineer
• Medium lift – assessed by Lift Planner
• Low lift – assessed by Work Team

3.E

Do not undertake any lifting options unless you are trained, qualified and competent to do so

Conducting lifts

Refer to the Lifting Operations Competency Matrix for training requirements (see GMR 3.1 above).

Verifications of Competency are required for Crane Operators, Riggers and Doggers (see GMR 1.A above).

All personnel undertaking high-risk work must possess the relevant high-risk work licence (see GMR 1.A above).

4.1

All persons carrying out electrical work and supervision of electrical work must be licensed and/or verified competent

Electrical Work

Only licensed workers can carry out live electrical work. Electrical work that is not live may require either a license and / or a competency, depending on Country Standards and Local Legislation.

Licensing requirements for electrical work are administered by state and territory authorises. Click on the below links to understand the licencing and competency requirements in your area.

There are specialist areas within the electrical discipline that require additional competencies. 

For hazardous areas - competency-based training complying with AS4761.1 is required. 

For HV networks - HV switching operators are required to be assessed as being competent and maintain currency in Industry Training Packages delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Courses may be adapted to suit project requirements and equipment. Typical courses include UEPOPS349 Operate local H.V. switchgear, and UEPOPS428 Develop H.V. switching programs.

4.B

Install, inspect, test and tag electrical equipment to legislative requirements

Test and tag

A person conducting test and tagging at the workplace must be a competent person as defined in AS3760.  This can be achieved by undertaking a nationally recognised test and tag course such as:

• UEENEEP026A Conduct in-service testing of electrical cord connected equipment and cord assemblies
• UEENEEE101A Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes of practices in the workplace

4.C

Maintain regulated safe working distances when working near Live Overhead Line Equipment (OHLE), underground services or live electrical parts

Live Overhead Line Equipment (OHLE)

Safe working distances and work zones vary in each state and territory depending on:

• The level of training of personnel
• The voltage of overhead electric lines
• Whether the electric lines are insulated or bare
• Consultation requirements with the person in control of the energised overhead electric line or exposed part (applicable in some states)

Safe working distances can be reduced by using qualified people to observe the activity. The name and definition of this person vary from state to state and may be called a safety observer, accredited or trained spotter or authorised person. 

The following are examples of recognised training courses available through approved Registered Training Organisations that can assist in proving competency for working in close proximity to live services:

• Energex M320 Electrical Awareness for Safe Work
• Ergon 4490 Working Safely Near Live Electrical Lines and Apparatus
• UETTDREL14A Working safely near live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker

For more information contact your state or territory Electricity Supply Authority or Electricity Regulator.

5.5

Ensure grid mesh and chequer

plate flooring is installed and removed by a competent person as per design requirements

Gridmesh

A competent person in this instance is someone who has conducted the Grid Mesh Awareness training and read, understood and signed the relevant Task Risk Assessment (TRA). Refer to Grid Mesh Installation Removal.

5.A

Do not remove or travel through any edge protection, barricade or exclusion zone unless authorised

Barricade and edge protection

Authorisation must be permitted from the person in control of the area and only if the worker will not be exposed to a potential fall from height risk.

5.B

Do not overload, or make any adjustments to, working platforms or fall protection devices unless authorised

Working platform adjustments

An example of being authorised to adjust a working platform is a licensed scaffolder adjusting scaffold over 4m while contracted to do so at the workplace.

5.E

Ensure you are trained to perform your role in any work at height and/or grid mesh activities.

Work at height training

This applies to:

• Those directly supervising and undertaking work using a work positioning system, a fall injury minimisation system, or involved in height rescue, valid accredited training is required.  An example of accredited training is RIIWHS204D
• Those performing high risk must have a valid high-risk licence and be verified as competent (see GMR 1.A)
• Those planning work at height activities must have attended the Working at Height Procedural Training as a minimum
• Refresher training for accredited training (e.g. RIIWHS204D) is to be conducted every 2 years as a minimum

For Grid Mesh competencies see GMR 5.5.

6.6

Appoint Wellbeing Champion(s) and establish a consultation forum to ensure Wellbeing is addressed within the workplace

Wellbeing Champion(s)

Wellbeing Champions are appointed by the Workplace Manager.

Wellbeing Champions must complete accredited Mental Health First Aid Training.

6.4

Be fit for work

Fitness to work

See GMR 1.B above.

6.B

Notify an appropriate person if you or someone else may not be fit for work

Fitness to work

An appropriate person can be your Supervisor, Health and Safety Representative (HSR), Wellbeing Champion, Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) or a colleague.

7.1

Appoint a Temporary Works Coordinator for pre-contract and project delivery

Temporary Works Coordinator

The appointed Temporary Works Coordinator does not require specific qualifications to perform this role. However, they must have at least 5 years’ experience with the proposed construction activity and temporary work systems being implemented, whilst also being familiar with the John Holland Temporary Work Management Procedure and its requirement.

7.3

Ensure temporary works are planned, assessed and approved by a competent person

Temporary work approvals

1. The Temporary Works Package Owner (in consultation with the Construction Manager, Temporary Work Coordinator, Supervisor and HSEQ professions) is to identify and describe the risks associated with the proposed activities as per the relevant WRA, AMS and TRA
2. The Temporary Works Package Owner will then use the Temporary Works Risk Assessment Matrix within the Temporary Work Procedure to determine the level of risk the temporary work poses (e.g. Category 3, 2, 1, or 0) to a workplace
3. Once the risk category has been determined by the Temporary Works Package Owner, they will use the Temporary Works Process and Competency Requirements Matrix (also within the Temporary Works Procedure) to identify who the appropriate approver is for that activity / temporary work

8.2

Assess the potential risks involved in isolation / de-isolation and communicate control measures to affected workers.

Isolation

Everyone working under isolations (also known as Permit Workers) must have completed the John Holland Isolation Procedural Awareness Training.  Isolation Permit Holders must additionally complete a Permit Holders Procedural training course on the John Holland IMS. 

Apprentices cannot be Permit Holders.

8.3

Physical isolation and de-isolation must be completed by a competent and authorised person

Isolation

Isolation Officers (who perform complex isolations) and workers (also known as Permit Workers) who carry out isolations/de-isolations, must have relevant qualifications to conduct isolations within the isolation discipline. 

• For electrical qualification - refer to GMR 4.1
• For potable water connections and gas lines - licenced plumbers and gasfitters will be required.
• Fire services - licensed personnel, depending on state requirements will be required

Apprentices cannot work under an isolation by themselves; they must be supervised at all times. Apprentices cannot act as Permit Holders

Isolation Permit Controllers should have a minimum of 5 years’ experience on operating sites using documented isolation procedures.

10.1

Confirm all workers performing rail safety work hold the relevant competency

Rail Competencies

For further information on what competencies are required refer to Rail Training and Competency Management Procedure.

A rail safety worker must hold the formal competencies associated with the proposed rail safety work to be undertaken.

10.2

Confirm the qualified worker in charge of rail worksite protection understand and can safely perform their responsibilities

Qualified Worker in Charge

The qualified work in charge of worksite protection must be verified as competent and/or approved by the network owner.