SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Maintain clearances, safety devices and markers to ensure a safe rail environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119980  Maintain clearances, safety devices and markers to ensure a safe rail environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Civil Engineering Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Civil Engineering Construction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Measuring and maintaining horizontal and vertical clearances, as well as installing and maintaining safety devices and fouling points. The learner will also be able to verify the quality of the completed work.
  • This Unit Standard will contribute to the full development of a professional community of Rail Construction and Maintenance workers.
  • The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this Unit Standard are essential for social and economic transformation and upliftment within the Rail Construction and Maintenance environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in the following:
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF level 1
  • Communication at NQF Level 1
  • And are in possession an Educational and Competency Certificate in overhead track equipment 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The typical scope of this unit standard:

    Competency must be demonstrated
  • In different weather and environmental conditions
  • Preferably in daytime
  • In different yard layouts/mainline/sidings/private sidings/shed/workshop (might or might not includeoverhead traction and Railway signalling)
  • Within a specific time span
  • Different site conditions, e.g. cuttings, embankments, multiple lines, tunnels, sites with restricted accessibility etc

    Horizontal and vertical clearances include:
  • Track centre clearances
  • Clearances between track and structures including platforms
  • Tunnel clearances
  • Temporary clearances
  • Track signage

    Appropriate corrective action to rectify clearance deviations include:
  • Correction by hand
  • Correction by machine
  • Closure of track (termination of train operations)

    Safety devices include, but are not limited to:
  • Stop blocks
  • Derailment devices
  • Points blade protector
  • Clearance marker 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare to maintain clearances, safety devices and markers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Instruction is received and interpreted correctly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Specific location for maintenance work is identified from work plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Relevant role-players including team members are informed made available. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Material, tools and equipment are obtained and verified for correctness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Relevant personal protective equipment is identified and applied correctly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Appropriate protection is afforded in accordance with procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Work environment is safe guarded in accordance with regulations and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Take Occupation is taken correctly in accordance with procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Maintain horizontal and vertical clearances. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Horizontal clearances are measured at all structures accurately and are compared with relevant tables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Vertical clearances are measured at structures where applicable accurately and are compared with relevant tables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Cause of deviation is determined from relevant reports. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Type of corrective action is identified and implemented or refer to relevant role-players. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Safe working and housekeeping methods and procedures are applied at all times. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Install and/or maintain safety devices and fouling points. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Safety device is positioned correctly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Correct installation methods are applied according to acceptable practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Visibility (including painting) of safety device and fouling points is ensured according to plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Correct functioning of safety device is ensured using correct techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Safety devices are repaired and or replaced where required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Locking apparatus for derailing devices are intact at all times. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Complete post-maintenance operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Quality of completed work is verified in accordance with relevant specifications and appropriate corrective action is taken where required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Measurements are taken where relevant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Work site is restored and cleared as per instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Occupation is taken correctly and protection withdrawn in accordance with procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Environmental regulations are adhered to during maintenance process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Relevant documentation and reports are completed accurately and legibly and role-players informed. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • The relevant ETQA would be responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Code of Practice 29
  • The purpose, types and positioning of safety devices
  • Principles and methods for the measurement of structures
  • Types of corrective action for maintaining clearances
  • Installation methods for safety devices
  • Track standards and specifications
  • Relevant environmental regulations and legislation
  • Health, Safety and Housekeeping procedures and regulations
  • Reporting and documentation requirements and procedures 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    Learners can understand the importance of:
  • Safety in the workplace
  • Being a team player in the work environment, organisation and in society
  • The economic impact of rail track operations 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Learners can solve problems with regard to:
  • The correctness, quantity and quality of tools, equipment and materials
  • Failure of equipment
  • Availability of resources
  • Non-availability of other departments
  • The cause of deviations
  • The correct functioning of safety devices
  • Visibility of safety devices and markers 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Learners can work effectively with others and in teams when:
  • Relevant role-players are informed and available
  • Allowing other departments to perform their functions
  • Occupation is taken and cancelled correctly
  • Corrective action required is referred to relevant role-players 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Learners can organise and manage one self:
  • By observing and assessing work area to determine if work can proceed
  • When informing team members of hazards in the work area
  • When preparing to do maintenance work 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Learners can collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information by:
  • Measuring clearances and comparing them with relevant tables
  • Identifying the type of corrective action required
  • Interpreting the job instruction 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Learners can communicate effectively by:
  • Completing relevant documentation
  • Communicating with relevant parties for example, subordinates, technical personnel, etc
  • Reporting deviations to relevant role-players 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Learners can use science and technology by:
  • Performing calculations
  • Doing measurements 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Learners can understand:
  • The importance of clearances, safety devices and markers for a safe rail environment
  • Causes of different deviation 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49795   National Certificate: Rail Construction and Maintenance  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. R and H Rail (Pty) Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.