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: 

Shunt rail vehicles 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264338  Shunt rail vehicles 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Rail and Pipeline Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Transport, Operations and Logistics 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  18 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
14638  Shunt rail vehicles  Level 2  NQF Level 02  18   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to attach and detach rail vehicles in order to arrange rail vehicles into specific combinations for organizational purposes. The ability to successfully execute this shunting process is the goal of this unit standard. They will be able to apply knowledge of the rail yard, POSMOR (Principles of Safe Movement on Rail) and working orders to couple and uncouple rail vehicles and control the movement of the rail vehicles within a confined area.

The qualifying learner will be capable of:
  • Describing rail yard layout.
  • Coupling and uncoupling rail vehicles.
  • Controlling shunt movement of rolling stock. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner is competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 2.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe rail yard layout. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Train lines are identified in relation to their purpose. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Signals and points are identified in terms of their meaning and purpose. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Gradients are identified and explained in relation to their impact on shunting movement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Boards are described in terms of their meaning and purpose. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Couple and uncouple rail vehicles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The relationship between rail vehicle couplings and shunting is explained in terms of rail operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Rail vehicles and wagons are coupled and uncoupled according to the mechanical operation and train working rules. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Rail vehicles include but is not limited to passenger coaches, wagons, locomotives and motor coaches.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Electric cabling of commuter trains is coupled and uncoupled according to the mechanical operation and train working rules. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Brake pipes are coupled and uncoupled according to the mechanical operation and train working rules. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Brakes include but is not limited to air, vacuum, ECP and pneumatic.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Consequences of not coupling all the necessary connections correctly are described in terms of the impact on train movement and safety. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Control shunt movement of rolling stock. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Shunting procedures are explained in terms of organizational procedures and train working rules. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Shunting procedures include but are not limited to switching of points, position of blades, operation of derailers, various track-side indicators, level crossing protection, securing of stand-alone vehicles, foreign vehicles and skidded wheels.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Communication using hand signals in shunting rail vehicles is demonstrated according to train working rules. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Communication using a two-way radio in shunting rail vehicles is demonstrated according to train working rules. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Rail vehicle movements are controlled in a specific environment according to instructions, POSMOR and train working rules. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed against the unit standard (including through RPL) may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance body (ETQA), or one with an appropriate memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or one with an appropriate MOU with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard, or assessing this unit standard, must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or one with an appropriate MOU with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA, or one with an appropriate MOU with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation should include both internal and external moderation where applicable. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Principles of Safe Movement on Rail (POSMOR).
  • Relevant elements of Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993.
  • Protocol of two-way communication to facilitate safe movement on rail.
  • Elementary operating knowledge of rolling stock couplings, (mechanical and electric couplings).
  • Principles and theory of brake systems for the purpose of shunting.
  • Visual and auditory communication methods used during shunting.
  • Yard layouts.
  • Shunting procedures.
  • The hazards and risks associated with shunting and required actions to deal with these. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems related to the execution of shunting rail vehicles in which responses display that critical thinking is used for responsible decision making. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a rail operations team to prepare rail vehicles for shunting according to instructions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in the execution of shunting related activities in compliance with POSMOR. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information from shunting instructions in order to prepare for and execute shunting functions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using relevant modes associated with shunting rail vehicles. 

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 14638, "Shunt rail vehicles", Level 2, 18 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66709   National Certificate: Rail Operations (Functional Yard Operations)  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. African Rail And Traction Services 
    2. DQ Staffing Solutions 
    3. PRASA T/A Metrorail KwaZulu Natal 
    4. R and H Rail (Pty) Ltd 
    5. Rail Traction Training (Pty) Ltd 
    6. RICHARDS BAY COAL TEMINAL COMPANY LIMITED (Legacy) 
    7. School of Rail Wentworth 
    8. School of Rail: Esselenpark 
    9. Traxtion Sheltam (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.