8153 — Rail construction and maintenance operatives

What this occupation covers

Rail construction and maintenance operatives lay, re-lay, repair and examine railway track and maintain surrounding areas.

Typical duties

patrols length of track and visually inspects rails, bolts, fishplates and chairs for distortion or fracture

checks tightness of bolts and wedges, replaces damaged rail chairs and repacks ballast under sleepers if necessary

lubricates points, examines fences, drains, culverts and embankments and carries out any necessary maintenance

spreads ballast and lays sleepers or metal plates at specified intervals

positions lengths of rail, sets of points and crossovers and secures rail with bolts, wooden wedges or clips

fastens together sections of rail by bolting fishplates to rails

Entry routes and qualifications

There are no formal academic entry requirements. Off and on-the-job training is provided. NVQs/SVQs in Rail Engineering and apprenticeships at levels 2 and 3 are available.

Sponsorship information

Ineligible. Actual duties, sponsor, applicant, salary and any transitional or shortage-list conditions must be checked.

DBS assessment

No code-wide DBS assessment is assigned. Check actual duties, activities, workplace, frequency and jurisdiction. This code does not determine the level of check.

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