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: 

Demonstrate an understanding of materials and components used in rail construction and maintenance 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120025  Demonstrate an understanding of materials and components used in rail construction and maintenance 
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  9 
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 
Purpose:

The qualifying learner is capable of:

Demonstrating an understanding of the purpose, properties and application of ballast and sleepers, different types of rails, different types of standard turnout and turnout components, as well as fastening components for different applications.

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 already competent in the following:
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1.
  • Communication at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The typical scope of this Unit Standard:

    Sleepers include, but are not limited to:
  • Wooden sleepers.
  • Steel sleepers.
  • Concrete sleepers.
  • Transition ladders.
  • Rail substitute sleepers.

    Rail types include, but are not limited to:
  • Check rail curves.
  • Safety rails on bridges.
  • Junction rails.
  • Reconditioned rails.
  • Second hand rails.
  • All types of rail joints.
  • Rails not complying to specifications (e.g. defective rails).
  • Closure rails.
  • Special rails.

    Rail and sleeper fastening components include, but are not limited to:
  • Bolts.
  • Nuts.
  • Clamps (e.g. rails).
  • Springs.
  • Fish plates.
  • Sole plates.
  • Insulated block joints.
  • Gauge straps

    Standard turnouts include, but are not limited to:
  • Standard.
  • Equal split.
  • Turnout with movable vee.
  • Turnout with a rail bound frog.

    Handling includes:
  • Storage.
  • Loading.
  • Transporting.
  • Stacking.
  • Off-loading.
  • The use of push trolleys and rail transporters to transport permanent way materials. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose, properties and application of ballast and sleepers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of ballast in a railway track is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Quality requirements in relation to ballast stone are identified carefully. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Minimum requirements with regard to the ballast profile are identified according to organisational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The purpose and function of sleepers in a railway track are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Different types of sleepers and their application are identified correctly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Requirements with regards to the handling of sleepers are explained according to organisational procedure. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose, properties and application of different rail types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different types of rails and their function are identified and explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The composition of rails and different classes of rails are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Rail profiles and properties are listed accordingly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Factors to consider when selecting rails for specific applications are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Principles for the handling of rails are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Factors to consider in the re-use of rails are explained in detail. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Basic principles pertaining to rail defects are explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose, properties and application of turnouts and turnout components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of turnouts in a railway track is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different types of standard turnouts and turnout components and their functions are identified and explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The composition of turnouts is described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    An understanding of the basic principles of rail wear on turnout components is demonstrated with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Principles for the handling of turnouts and turnout components are explained clearly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The application of different turnout sleeper types is explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose, properties, application and combination of fastening components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose, properties, application and combination of fastening components for rails are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose, properties, application and combination of fastening components for turnouts and turnout components are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The purpose, properties, application and combination of fastening components for different types of sleepers are explained with examples. 


    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 Unit Standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Purpose, properties and application of ballast.
  • Quality requirements for ballast stone.
  • Requirements for ballast profile.
  • Purpose, properties and application of different types of sleepers.
  • Handling requirements for sleepers.
  • Purpose, properties and application of different rail types.
  • Composition of rails and different rail classes.
  • Different rail profiles and properties.
  • Factors to consider in the selection of rails for specific applications and in the re-use of rails.
  • Basic principles pertaining to rail defects.
  • Basic principles of rail wear.
  • Purpose, properties and application of different types of standard turnouts and turnout components.
  • Principles for the handling of turnouts and turnout components.
  • Application of different types of turnout sleepers.
  • Purpose, properties, application and combinations of fastening components for rails, turnouts and turnout components and different types of sleepers. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Learners can work effectively with others and in teams when:
  • Considering factors when selecting material for specific applications.
  • Considering fastening combinations to obtain required standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Learners can organise and manage one self by:
  • Observing and assessing different materials and their application. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Learners can collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information by:
  • Identifying appropriate materials for specific applications. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Learners can communicate effectively by:
  • Communicating with relevant parties for example, subordinates, technical personnel, etc. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Learners can use science and technology by:
  • Identifying and using different materials. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Learners can understand:
  • The purpose of ballast, sleepers, rails and fastening components in the railway track.
  • The influence of railway track materials on signalling and overhead track equipment. 
    		•

    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
    Elective  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.