1998 – Nov – Baird – Victorian Railway Signalling Competency Management

R. B. Baird, B.E.(Hons), AMIEE, MlRSE Manager, Signals & Communications BAYSIDE TRAINS Competency management systems are not new: most rail organisations have systems in place for ensuring only competent staff carry out design, installation, testing, commissioning & maintenance functions. These include:- Minimum qualifications; Direct supervision and mentoring including workplace assessment; Inservice training; Detailed procedures and instructions; Investigations of incidents and follow up rectification; Independent checking procedures. Recently there has been pressure to document and formalise competency systems as a result of the following externalrequirements:- Government legislation / regulation; Outsourcing (contractual requirement to set common standards); Quality and safety management systems adopted by rail organisations. Most of these require the organisation involved in rail safety functions to demonstrate a competency system is in place and is followed without being specific about the detail.