REGISTER

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 external
requirements:-

• 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.