OHE Training And Competency Certificates PDF

TRAINING AND COMPETENCY CERTIFICATES TRAINING 7.0 Introduction Electric traction is a specialized field. Efficient operation and maintenance of the traction installations and equipment is only possible if the staff concerned have acquired an intim...

TRAINING AND COMPETENCY CERTIFICATES TRAINING 7.0 Introduction Electric traction is a specialized field. Efficient operation and maintenance of the traction installations and equipment is only possible if the staff concerned have acquired an intimate knowledge of the details of construction, adjustments and operation of the equipment. A thorough knowledge of the special rules and procedures on the part of the staff is also essential to ensure safety of equipment and personnel. These requirements call fo specialized training for all categories of staff before they an be entrusted with the responsibility for maintenance or operation. 7.1 Planning of Training in Advance Before electric traction is commissioned on any section, adequate strength of well-trained operating, maintenance and running staff should be kept ready for manning the services. planning the recruitment and training of such staff well in advance is one of the most important tasks of the open line administration. It is also necessary to establish sufficiently in advance suitable training schools with the facilities for imparting the training by qualified instructors. 7.2 Categories to be Trained Categories of staff for whom special training is required to be organized are generally as under – 1. Degree and Diploma holders recruited directly by Supervisors. 2. Apprentice Mechanics to be absorbed as Supervisors. 3. Trade Apprentices to be absorbed as skilled artisans 4. Artisans and supervisory staff to undergo Refresher Courses. 7.3 Initial Training 1. Categories of staff mentioned below should receive a period of initial training in a training school before they are posted to working posts – a. Directly recruited supervisors b. Traction Power Controllers and Asstt. Traction Power Controllers. c. Skilled and semi-skilled artisan staff for maintenance of OHE, PSI and RC equipment. d. Any other category as approved by CEE. 2. The period of initial training for typical categories is given below, this may be modified by CEE in accordance with local requirements: a. Directly recruited supervisors (Degree and Diploma Holders) i. OHE 12 months ii. PSI 12 months iii. Remote Control 12 months iv. TPCs/ATPCs 18 months Over Head Equipments Page 142  b. Skilled artisans for maintenance – i. Direct recruits 60 weeks ii. To be absorbed from Diesel/ Steam or Electric general Services 30 weeks 3. In addition to theoretical training, the trainees should receive thorough practical training on the work they will have to perform on completion of training. In all cases they should have a period as under-study to senior and experienced staff in actual execution of the type of work they have to perform on completion of training. 4. For artisan staff the practical training should be so oriented as to enable them to understand and be able to carry out independently skilled work of the type covered by ‘Inspection books’, ‘Inspection charts’, ‘trouble-shooting charts’ and ‘technical charts’. Courses of training for each separate branch viz. OHE, PSI and RC should be carefully planned and implemented for each category of staff. 7.4 Promotional Courses 1. No employee should be promoted unless he passes the trade test or other prescribed departmental test. 2. Before an employee can be promoted, he should, as a rule, receive training to enable him to discharge his responsibilities in the higher post e.g. a semi skilled fitter on promotion as a skilled fitter. Such training should precede the departmental tests which determine suitability for promotion. The training should be generally on the same lines as initial training, but the period may be curtailed since the employee would already have a certain amount of background knowledge on account of his experience. Particular attention should be paid to the older men, who although very proficient in the practical aspects of their work, are unable to pass the prescribed trade tests etc. In regard to the theoretical aspects because of their poor educational background, it often happens in consequence that they are blocked from being promoted although they are fit in every other respect. By paying individual attention to such men and teaching them elementary theory, they could be made sufficiently trained to enable their passing the trade tests. This not only ends their frustration, but boosts staff morale as a whole. 7.5 Refresher Courses 1. In accordance with extent instructions current on the subject, refresher courses should be arranged. This is obligatory for those categories of staff dealing with “safety of train operation of having daily contact with the public”. The following is an illustrative list of traction distribution staff coming within the scope of these instructions: - Traction Power Controllers - Asstt. Traction Power Controllers - Supervisors of OHE - OHE Inspection Car Drivers - Linesmen authorized to take power blocks and permit to work. 2. Refresher courses are also desirable for other categories of maintenance staff. The categories of staff for whom refresher courses are to be arranged can be decided Over Head Equipments Page 143  by the General Manager in accordance with para 117(a) of the Indian Railway Establishment Manual. 3. The object of a refresher course is to reinforce and update the knowledge of the staff and bring them up-to-date in regard to the latest rules and procedures and instructions regarding operation and maintenance in the light of experience gained. The duration of the refresher course for each category may be decided by CEE a) Supervisors 3 weeks b) Artisan Staff 2 weeks 4. For categories of staff liable for inter-divisional transfers, programming of refresher courses should be arranged by the headquarters office. For staff confined to a particular division, the programming should be done at the divisional level. 5. Apart from rules and regulations, the refresher courses for the operating staff should lay emphasis on trouble-shooting procedures for various types if equipments. Actual drilling during the refresher course will be of great benefit. This involves repetition of the same exercise several times so as to make a lasting impression on the staff and should not to be forgotten easily. 6. For Linesmen and Supervisors of the OHE section the main emphasis during the refresher courses should be on standards to be observed in adjustments of OHE, safety rules applicable to OHE work and methods of quick restoration of OHE in the event of break-downs / accidents. 7. During refresher courses, it will be very useful to arrange group discussions amongst the trainees on specific problems encountered during the course of work. Such group discussions will be of great assistance in view of the opportunity for exchange of information based on actual experience in working. 7.6 Facilities for Training 1. Facilities have been provided on an All India basis for the Intensive specialized training of officers and staff of the Electrical Department. The facilities available should be utilised to best advantage. 2. Training schools for OHE staff have also been set up where the specialized techniques of work on 25 kV OHE are taught to skilled artisans as well as supervisors with particular reference to safety rules applicable to OHE work and methods of effecting emergency repairs. For example a cat-walk at a height of about 5 m from ground level is provided, so that a trainee can climb up a post, walk across the cat-walk and get rid of the fear of height, he can be taught the methods of protecting himself by means of ropes and safety belts, the correct method of testing and earthing, the technique of erecting a mast, the correct method of using the various specialized OHE tools and equipment, the method of splicing various OHE conductors etc. 3. In a training school, the essential equipment to be provided for instructional purposes should include the following:- a) Special tools and instruments used in electric traction. b) Cut-models to show constructional details of equipments c) Circuit diagrams, sectioning diagrams etc illuminated and arranged to show the sequence of operations. d) Samples of damaged equipment with tablets explaining the nature and causes of failures and preventive checks. Over Head Equipments Page 144 e) Publicity boards with slogans and illustrations emphasizing safe methods of working. f) Boards illustrating ‘Do’s’ and ‘Don’ts’. g) Preferably full working models. 7.7 Training in General and Subsidiary Rules Supervisors, when required should receive initial training as well as refresher courses in General and Subsidiary Rules, normally in the Zonal Transportation Schools, which usually have model rooms to facilitate the proper understanding of the rules and systems of workings. In exceptional cases when such training cannot be arranged conveniently in the Zonal Schools, CEE may authorize the training in GRs & SRs to be included in the syllabus for training in TrD Training Schools. Separate instructors well-versed in the subject should, however, de deputed for imparting the training. 7.8 Responsibility of Officers and Supervisors Apart from those in-charge of training schools, other officers and supervisors in-charge of operation and maintenance should also take a keen personal interest in the trainees of all grades attached to them. They should deem it as part of their duty to guide the trainees and watch their progress. Training is a continuous process which helps the officers as much as the trainees not only in developing contacts on a personal level, but also in understanding the finer points of operation and maintenance. A record of progress achieved, the period of training given etc should be maintained for every trainee. 7.9 Examination at the End of Training All trainee should pass the prescribed examination on completion of training. The scope of examination and the level of officers and supervisor responsible for examining will be laid down by CEE. The examination should have a practical bias. 7.10 Specialized Training 1. Selected staff from different categories should be deputed to work with the Contractor’s staff during OHE, PSI and Remote Control construction work, so that they become fully proficient in the various operations including erection, final adjustment, testing and commissioning. 2. Similarly when large contracts are entered into for supply of electric traction equipment incorporating new designs and technology. It is usual practice to include in the contract a clause which permits some staff of the consignee railways to be deputed to the manufacturer’s works during the production stage for practical training on the equipment, so that they may get thoroughly acquainted with the operation and maintenance of the equipment, taking advantage of the training facilities available with the contracting firms. 7.11 Syllabi Outline syllabi for OHE Linesman is given below as examples. Syllabi on the same lines are prepared for all courses of training. Over Head Equipments Page 145 7.11.1 OHE Linesman (Initial Training) – Duration – 60 weeks A. Theoretical (a) Basic principles of electricity – clear understanding of “Current”, “Voltage”, “Power”, “Resistance”, “Impedance” – use of common electrical measuring instruments, micrometer devices. (b) Power supply arrangements for ac traction. (c) Understanding the lay out of OHE at feeding posts, running lines, turn-outs, cross- overs, overlaps, neutral sections, yards etc. (d) Standard values of clearances, setting distances, contact wire height, permissible gradient, stagger etc applicable to 25kV OHE. (e) Detailed study of various fittings used on OHE viz. insulators, cantilever assembly, clamps, splices, section insulators, anchor fittings, isolating switches, jumpers – constructional details of such fittings and details of assembly and installations. (f) Study of different types of masts and their foundations. (g) Detailed study of various tools, tackles and other gadgets used in OHE section. (h) Various types of bonds and earthing connections installed and maintained by OHE section. (i) Safety rules for OHE work. (j) Types of power blocks for OHE work. Detailed procedure for imposition of power blocks and exchange of messages. Precautions to be taken before commencement of work and study of relevant GRs and SRs. (k) Detailed study of common OHE defects to be looked for during patrolling and inspection. (l) Prescribed forms for submission of patrol and other reports. B. Practical (a) Climbing up different types of masts and walking across a cat-walk at a height of 56 m to get over the fear height. (b) Practising the use of various tools, tackles and gadgets used in OHE work. (c) Practising in the repair shop the correct way of assembly and installation of various OHE fittings. (d) Study of the detailed procedure for imposition of power blocks and precautions to be followed for typical sections by mock drills including speaking over telephones and issue and receipt of messages. (e) Drills in correct method of earthing the OHE. (f) Field work with maintenance and construction staff so as to get acquainted with important items of work e.g., erection of mast and cantilever assembly, replacement of insulators, installing splice-fittings, anchoring of wires, replacement of equipment, recording height and stagger etc. (g) Patrol given section of OHE to spot out and report on defects. 7.12 Authorized Person An “authorized person” is one who is duly authorized to perform pertaining to his employment the authorization being made by the competent authority empowered for the purpose by the Railway Administration. Over Head Equipments Page 146 7.13 Competency Certificate Each authorized person will be given a “Competency Certificate” defining the works which he is certified as competent to carry out after he has been trained, examined and found fit. The following categories of traction distribution staff shall be issued with the certificates by the official indicated against each category after written / oral test as shown:- Sl.No. Designation of staff Category of To be issued by certificate 1 Khalasi TR-1 ATFO or CTFO after oral test. 2 Lineman TR-2 AEE(TrD) after oral test. 3 Supervisor TR-3 DEE(TrD) after written and oral test. 4 OHE Inspection Car Driver TR-4 DEE(TrD) after written and oral test. B. PSI SECTION 5 Khalasi TR-1 ATFO or CTFO after oral test. 6 Skilled staff TR-2 AEE(TrD) after oral test. 7 Supervisor TR-6 DEE(TrD) after written and oral test. 8 Artisans/Supervisors for Protective TR-7 AEE/DEE(TrD) after written Relays and Instruments and oral and practical test. 9 Skilled Staff TR-8 AEE(TrD). 10 Supervisor TR-9 DEE(TrD) after written and oral test. 7.14 Qualified Person to be in charge of Motor Trolley Officers and certain categories of supervisors of the traction branches will be required to use Motor Trolleys in electrified sections. Only those qualified in accordance with GR and SR and certified for the purpose shall be in charge of motor trolleys. 7.15 Period of Training The period of training mentioned in the following paragraphs may be modified as considered necessary by CEE, taking local requirements into account. 7.16 OHE Inspection Car Driver An OHE Inspection Car Driver should undergo courses of training and tests indicted below before the competency certificate is issued to him – 1. General and subsidiary Rules in the Zonal Training School or other approved establishment followed by a written, oral and practical test conducted by the school. 2. An oral and practical test by CTFO(OHE) to see if the employee is fully conversant with the mechanism and operation of the engine and running gear of the Inspection Car, as well as the details of maintenance he is required to carry out. 3. Training for a period of one month to learn the road in the section in which he is required to work the Inspection Car, at the end of such training the employee should sign a declaration that he is fully conversant with the road. Over Head Equipments Page 147 4. A period of practical training for 2 months in the actual driving of the Inspection Car under the supervision of a qualified Car Driver at the end of which a driving test will be taken by DEE(TrD). 5. Prescribed medical examination. 7.17 Knowledge of Rules Competency Certificate No.TR-1 may be issued to unskilled staff after the safety rules pertaining to their work are explained to them personally by ATFO or CTFO who should satisfy himself that the person concerned has fully understood the instructions, in particular what he is not permitted to do. For other categories of staff, copies of he relevant chapters of the “Manual of AC Traction” and other rules pertaining to their work should be issued to the employee along with the certificate and necessary endorsement to this effect made in the office copy of the respective certificate. That they continue to be aware of the rules prescribed and that they do in practice comply with them shall be checked from time to time by the CTFO and AEE and an entry made of such checks in the Register of Certificates. 7.18 Register of Certificates A register of Competency Certificates issued shall be maintained in the office of every supervisory official 7.19 Service Record An entry should be made in the service sheet of every employee who has been issued with a Competency Certificate. 7.20 Inspections During Inspections Officers and Supervisors should make it a point to check the competency certificates in the possession of the staff and also test-check their knowledge of the rules pertaining to their work. Over Head Equipments Page 148