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: 

Shunt rail vehicles 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14638  Shunt rail vehicles 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Transport and Logistics 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 2  NQF Level 02  18 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2006-09-05  2009-06-17  SAQA 0160/05 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2010-06-17   2013-06-17  

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 is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
264338  Shunt rail vehicles  Level 3  NQF Level 03  18   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A learner will be capable of shunting rail vehicles according to workplace procedures and specifications. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Communications - ABET level 4
Numeracy - ABET level 4
Devise strategies for the maintenance of a healthy life style - NQF level 3 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
The level assigned to this standard is appropriate because performance must be carried out -
  • under different weather conditions;
  • during day and night time;
  • in different yard layouts (might or might not include overhead traction);
  • within a specified time span;

    This standard excludes:
  • Commodities (it does not form part of this assessment) 

  • Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Shunt rail vehicles in accordance with mechanical operation. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Shunt rail vehicles (couple and uncouple) in accordance with mechanical operation of rolling stock, electric cabling and passenger coaches` attachments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Rail vehicles are coupled and uncoupled according to the mechanical operation instructions 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Electric cabling of commuter trains is coupled and uncoupled to specific instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Passenger coaches' attachments are coupled and uncoupled according to specific instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Vacuum/air brake pipes are coupled and uncoupled according to specific instructions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Control movement of rail vehicles and adhere to the specific operating environment. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Control movement of rail vehicles and adhere to the specific operating environment. (Yard outlay/gradients/risks) 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Rail vehicle movements are controlled in a specific environment. (Specific marshalling
    yard layout environment is understood) 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The gradients and risks in the operating environment were adhered to. (Stop boards, shunting limit boards and high voltage warning boards, etc). 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Comply with POSMOR and related train working rules during shunting. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Comply with POSMOR and related train working rules during shunting. (Principles of save movement on rail) 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. POSMOR are complied with during shunting. (See Supplementary for POSMOR 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Related train working rules are complied with during shunting 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Control movements of rolling stock by using approved hand signalling or radio communication system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Approved hand signalling is used to control shunting movements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Approved radio communication systems and verbal instructions are used to control shunting movements 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. An individual wishing to be assessed against this standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provided institution that has been accredited by the relevant ETQA.
    2. A learner specialising in Rail Operations through this elective standard will be assessed by an assessor who has been certified as competent against the National Certificate in Rail Operations NQF level 5, which must include this standard.
    3. A learner specialising in Train Driving through this elective standard will be assessed by an assessor who has been certified as competent against the National Certificate in Train Driving NQF level 4, which must include this standard.
    4. Any assessor and training provider must ensure that the relevant company-specific procedures/rules are used as reference material when designing courseware, assessment or when selecting pre-designed assessments.
    5. Anyone assessing a learner against this standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant TRANSPORT SETA - ETQA.
    6. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this standard must be registered and accredited as a provider at SAQA.
    7. Moderation of assessment will be done by the relevant ETQA as prescribed. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Learners can understand and explain/apply:

    1. Principles of Safe Movement on Rail (POSMOR).
    2. Relevant elements of Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993.
    3. Protocol of two-way communication to facilitate safe movement on rail.
    4. Coupling of rolling stock. (mechanical and electric couplings)
    5. Principles and theory of brake systems for the purpose of compiling trains.
    6. Visual and audible communication methods used during shunting.
    7. Yard layouts.
    8. Shunting procedures: examples - 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, etc.
    9. 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 WORKING 
    Work together as a team
    Learners have acquired the generic ability to adhere to and comply with the principles of safe movement on rail (POSMOR) and related instructions to perform shunting movements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Critically evaluate
    Learners have acquired the generic ability to critically evaluate instructions and situations in order to couple/uncouple rail vehicles safely and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology
    Learners have acquired the generic ability to effectively controlling movements of rolling stock by applying approved signalling and communication systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of systems
    Learners have acquired the generic ability to understand that the operational environment includes a set of related systems to control movement of rail vehicles and to adhere to the specific operating environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 264338, which is "Shunt rail vehicles", Level 3, 18 credits.

    ASSESSMENT PROCESS

    When conducting assessment, assessors must ensure that they are familiar with the full text of the unit standards being assessed.

    They must ensure that assessment covers the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge.

    Each environment/situation will be different, it will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the context in which the assessment will take place. (Example: working with only goods freight or only passenger trains or commuter motor coach-sets)

    METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

    During formal training at the provider:
    1. Written tests
    2. Case studies.
    3. Simulation

    During on the job training:
    1. Oral test
    2. Observations
    3. Case studies.

    Integrated final on the job assessment:
    1. Observation
    2. Oral tests
    3. Case studies

    In the Rail Operations environment it will be more effective to assess a number of unit standards together and the assessor must evaluate each assessment request to determine the grouping of the standards for assessment.

    The assessment must integrate a number of different methods. (Example: Only one type of vehicle, or a combination of different vehicles, or goods vehicles in combination with passenger vehicles. Movements controlled by hand-signals or movements controlled by radio communication.). This will give the assessor reliable and valid proof of competence and evidence of required attitudes and skills.

    The integrated assessment must take place in the environment where the learner will work independently on completion of final assessment and the assessment certification must be endorsed.

    Valid, reliable and authentic evidence (presented as a portfolio of evidence) from past achievements and experience may serve to supplement the assessment of applied competence. The portfolio should include, inter alia:
    1. Written statements from persons (e.g. current and/or previous employer, colleague, peer, manager, external customers) confirming competence of the learner.
    2. Relevant certificates or awards.
    3. Previous assessment records.
    4. Journal (Logbook).

    VALUES

    In addition, the following values should be demonstrated:
  • Safety consciousness
  • Flexibility
  • Dealing with people (respectful to people)
  • Initiative

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

    *Adhere to and comply with the principles of safe movement on rail (POSMOR) and related instructions to perform shunting movements, e.g.: Principles of Safe Movement on Rail (POSMOR) includes the following:
  • a defined track for movement
  • authority for movement received by licensed persons
  • adhering to speed instructions and trackside indicators
  • being protected, secured and standing clear while stationary
  • preventing conflicting movement
  • rolling stock must be service worthy
  • infrastructure must be train worthy
  • personnel must be fit for duty
  • being alert, vigilant and assessing surroundings

    *Control movement of rolling stock using approved hand signalling and radio communication systems, e.g. communication consists of authorised hand signals, - two-way radio communication, oral instructions or written communication.

    *Protocol of two-way communication to facilitate safe movement on rail, e.g. specific wording is used to eliminate confusion during shunting.

    Definition: Rail Vehicles mean any coach, truck, van or other conveyance (excluding a push trolley) intended or designed for transport of passengers or freight on a railway line. 

  • QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  23893   National Certificate: Rail Operations (Functional Yard Operations)  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2009-06-17  Was TETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  59300   General Education and Training Certificate: Transport  Level 1  NQF Level 01  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. Dee-Bravo Training Centre 
    3. Dionysus Skills Development Initiative 
    4. Learning Exchange Pty (Ltd) 
    5. Makwedeng Training 
    6. NOSA LOGISTICS PTY LTD 
    7. R and H Rail (Pty) Ltd 
    8. RICHARDS BAY COAL TEMINAL COMPANY LIMITED (Legacy) 
    9. School of Rail Wentworth 
    10. School of Rail: Esselenpark 
    11. Staffing Logistics 
    12. TEST 3_18 March 2019 
    13. TEST 4 



    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.