Engineering and manufacturing

Rail engineering operative - Infrastructure operative

Providing support to technicians and engineers working on the rail network and trains, specialising in either infrastructure or operations.

Summary

This occupation is found in the railway engineering operative role is found across various parts of the railway infrastructure sector. This includes rail maintenance and construction companies, organisations responsible for the upkeep and development of tracks, signals, and stations, and companies that work on underground, overground, and high-speed rail networks. The role is typically concentrated in urban, suburban, and rural locations where rail infrastructure plays a key role in transportation and logistics.
The broad purpose of the occupation is focusing on ensuring the safe and efficient operation of railway systems. This includes assisting in the construction, maintenance, and repair of railway tracks and associated infrastructure. Their role contributes to minimizing disruptions, improving safety standards, and maintaining the reliability of the rail network for passengers and freight.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other railway professionals, including engineers, technicians, and construction crews. They may also interact with supervisors, safety personnel, and inspectors to ensure that work meets stringent safety and performance standards. Their job may involve collaborating with transport managers or liaising with external contractors when working on larger infrastructure projects.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for performing manual and technical tasks to maintain and improve railway systems. This includes preparing materials, operating tools and machinery, and following strict safety procedures. They ensure tracks are aligned and functioning properly, assist with signal installation or repair, and may contribute to tunnel construction or station upgrades. They must adhere to health and safety regulations and ensure all tasks are completed efficiently to prevent disruption to services.

Typical job titles include

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1:

Awareness of health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance and impact on role. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH). Fire safety. Hazards and risks. Health and Safety at Work Act. Electricity at Work Act. Isolation and emergency stop procedures. Manual handling. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Safety equipment: guards, signage, fire extinguishers. Safety signage. Situational awareness. Slips, trips, and falls. Working in confined spaces. Working at height.

K2:

Safe working practices and systems of work, including safe access to work locations.

K3:

Safety protocols for track access, including isolations and procedures for working near or on live railway lines.

K4:

Impact of the sector on the environment. Efficient use of resources. Recycling, reuse and safe disposal of waste and how to minimise disruption to the surrounding area during activities.

K5:

Types and impacts of seasonal changes on the operation of railway infrastructure and operations.

K6:

How commercial principles affect timetabling, scheduling and performance and the impact of events and decisions on customer service and reputation.

K7:

Business operation considerations: efficiency, customer satisfaction, competitiveness, risk awareness and minimisation.

K8:

Planning, prioritisation, organisation, and time management techniques.

K9:

How to gather and interpret information, including drawings, plans and schedules needed for rail activities and to prepare worksites.

K10:

How to complete required integrity and compliance checks.

K11:

Documentation requirements: electronic and paper.

K12:

What data is collected for rail activities and why it is collected.

K13:

How to reinstate work areas after rail activities.

K14:

The role of the rail engineering operative: responsibilities, limits of role and escalation procedures.

K15:

The physical parts of railway infrastructure and operations, including tracks, signals, and power traction supply, and their role in the rail system.

K16:

Types of and use of tools, materials and equipment.

K17:

Lifting, moving and storage requirements of tools, materials and equipment.

K18:

Principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace and the impact on their work.

K19:

Verbal communication techniques. The use of sector terminology.

K20:

Written communication techniques.

K21:

The principles of learning and development activities, including recording their completion.

K22:

Infrastructure. Lifecycle requirements of rail infrastructure.

K23:

Infrastructure. Techniques for installing components as part of rail engineering infrastructure activities.

K24:

Infrastructure. Inspection procedures and the types of tests used, and the relevant industry standards for documenting test results.

K25:

Infrastructure. Engineering processes related to rail infrastructure, including the principles of force, stress, wear, and fatigue in components.

K26:

Infrastructure. Routine infrastructure maintenance processes and methods.

K27:

Infrastructure. Principles of site layout, marking, measuring distances to ensure that rails and infrastructure are installed correctly.

K28:

Infrastructure. Types and purpose of components used to support infrastructure rail activities, including how and when it is used under supervision.

Technical Educational Products

ST0317
ST0317: Rail engineering operative - Infrastructure operative (Level 2) Approved for delivery
Reference:
OCC0317E
Status:
Approved occupation imageApproved occupation
Average (median) salary:
£39,406 per year
SOC 2020 code:
8153 Rail construction and maintenance operatives
  • SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
    • 8153/00 Rail construction and maintenance operatives
S1:

Comply with safe working practices. Comply with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements, including safe access to work locations.

S2:

Consider the impact on the environment when using resources and carrying out work.

S3:

Dispose of waste, ensuring compliance with environmental standards.

S4:

Provides support to rail activities. For example, using safety critical competences to work on the infrastructure including Personal Track Safety (PTS), Site Warden, Individual Working Alone (IWA), Direct Current Conductor Rails (DCCR).

S5:

Use planning, prioritisation, organisation, and time management techniques.

S6:

Gather and interpret information, including drawings, plans and schedules needed for rail activities and to prepare the worksite location.

S7:

Complete sector and organisational integrity and compliance checks.

S8:

Complete paper based or electronic documentation using correct terms, standards, templates and certifications.

S9:

Reinstate the work area after work rail activities.

S10:

Apply escalation procedures in relation to problems, faults or issues.

S11:

Maintain relationships with colleagues, clients, suppliers and the public.

S12:

Use tools, materials and equipment to complete rail activities.

S13:

Lift, move and store tools, material and equipment in line with requirements.

S14:

Apply the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace.

S15:

Communicate with others verbally.

S16:

Communicate in writing with others.

S17:

Complete and record learning and development activities.

S18:

Infrastructure. Carry out rail infrastructure activities relating to lifecycle requirements.

S19:

Infrastructure. Install components as part of rail engineering infrastructure activities.

S20:

Infrastructure. Complete infrastructure inspections and tests, and document the results.

S21:

Infrastructure. Complete routine infrastructure maintenance tasks.

S22:

Infrastructure. Carry out site layout support activities, marking and measuring distances.

S23:

Infrastructure. Assemble or disassemble components under supervision.

Technical Educational Products

ST0317 image
ST0317: Rail engineering operative - Infrastructure operative (Level 2) Approved for delivery
Reference:
OCC0317E
Status:
Approved occupation imageApproved occupation
Average (median) salary:
£39,406 per year
SOC 2020 code:
8153 Rail construction and maintenance operatives
  • SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
    • 8153/00 Rail construction and maintenance operatives
B1:

Act professionally.

B2:

Act ethically and contribute to sustainable development.

B3:

Demonstrates enthusiasm for learning, seeks feedback, and takes responsibility for personal and professional development.

B4:

Presents a professional image through appearance, language, and behaviour. Treats others with respect and upholds workplace standards and values.

B5:

Responds positively to change, adapts to new tasks or environments, and remains effective when faced with new challenges or shifting priorities.

B6:

Consistently attends work and training sessions on time, completes tasks as agreed, and can be depended upon to meet commitments.

Technical Educational Products

ST0317 image
ST0317: Rail engineering operative - Infrastructure operative (Level 2) Approved for delivery
Reference:
OCC0317E
Status:
Approved occupation imageApproved occupation
Average (median) salary:
£39,406 per year
SOC 2020 code:
8153 Rail construction and maintenance operatives
  • SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
    • 8153/00 Rail construction and maintenance operatives