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 the "permanent way" context and related operations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120028  Demonstrate an understanding of the "permanent way" context and related operations 
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  3 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 2005-11-30  2008-11-30  SAQA 2963/05 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2009-11-30   2012-11-30  

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:
  • Demonstrating an understanding of his/her organisational context, including organisational structure, policies, procedures, documentation, and possible learning and career pathways. The learner will also have an understanding of the disciplines of permanent way and the significance of the permanent way for the broader rail industry.
  • Furthermore the learner will have an awareness of rail construction and maintenance operations, as well as cost, statutory and regulatory considerations in relation to permanent way operations.
  • 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:
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1.
  • Communication at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The typical scope of this Unit Standard:
  • An understanding of organisational structure includes an understanding of the structure, positions, roles and responsibilities at macro (organisational and divisional/regional) and micro (depot/branch and team) level.

    Diversity includes, but is not limited to:
  • Gender.
  • Race.
  • Culture.
  • Religion.
  • Sexual orientation.

    Disciplines within permanent way include, but are not limited to:
  • Signalling.
  • Electrical department.
  • Railway Track.
  • Off-track operations, including technical support.

    Preparatory processes proceeding rail construction include, but are not limited to:
  • Needs analysis.
  • Route determination.
  • Feasibility study.
  • Surveying and Planning.

    Different line classifications include, but are not limited to:
  • Heavy haul lines.
  • General freight and passenger lines.
  • Private sidings.

    Stakeholders include, but are not limited to:
  • Internal clients.
  • External clients (e.g. private sidings).
  • Relevant Authorities.
  • Other disciplines/departments. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the organisational context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The organisational structure at both macro and micro level is described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Interactions required between different disciplines and or departments are explained with the emphasis placed on their importance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The purpose of organisational policies and procedures is explained and the learner is able to access such policies and or procedures correctly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Relevant documentation is completed legibly and correctly in accordance with organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The concept and impact of diversity in the workplace are explained fully. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Relevant learning and career pathways within the learner's context are described with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the permanent way context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The disciplines within permanent way are identified and explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance and purpose of each discipline as an integral part of permanent way are explained according to their types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The significance and contribution of permanent way within the broader rail industry are explained with appropriate examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of rail construction and maintenance operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Preparatory processes preceding rail construction are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Rail construction is defined and the technologies and working conditions involved explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Rail maintenance is defined and the technologies and working conditions involved described clearly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The purpose of the track test laboratory is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The impact of different traffic conditions on line classification and maintenance standards is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The purpose of and procedures with regard to permanent way and associated works inspections are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Terminology used within the rail construction and maintenance context is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Various stakeholders within rail construction and maintenance are identified and their role explained clearly. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the cost, statutory and regulatory considerations in relation to permanent way operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The relation between track revenue generation and track maintenance standards is explained clearly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The concepts of capital expenditure versus operating costs in the context of a railway track are defined accordingly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Cost implications of technologies and materials in relation to the operational environment are described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The possible impact of self and team members' actions on costs is explained fully. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The concepts of quality management, risk management, occupational health and safety and environmental awareness are described and the importance thereof explained clearly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Legislation, Codes of Practice and Regulations relevant to permanent way are identified and the purpose thereof explained in detail. 


    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 
    Embedded knowledge is clearly reflected in the specific outcomes and assessment criteria. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    Learners can understand the importance of:
  • Health and Safety, quality and environmental awareness in the workplace.
  • Being a team player in the work environment, organisation and in society.
  • Economic impact of permanent way operations. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Learners can solve problems with regard to:
  • Identifying possible strategies to manage diversity.
  • Reflecting on their own contribution to saving costs. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Learners can work effectively with others and in teams when:
  • Understanding the interactions required between different disciplines and/or departments. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Learners can collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information by:
  • Accessing policies and procedures.
  • Interpreting the organisational structure at both macro and micro level.
  • Identifying Legislation, Codes of Practice and Regulations relevant to permanent way and explaining the purpose thereof. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Learners can will have an awareness of science and technology by:
  • Demonstrating an awareness of the technologies used within rail construction and maintenance.
  • Demonstrating an understanding of preparatory processes proceeding rail construction.
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the purpose of the track test laboratory. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Learners can understand:
  • The relation between track revenue generation and track maintenance standards.
  • The different disciplines within permanent way.
  • The significance and contribution of permanent way, within the broader rail industry. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.