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: 

Assess rail track conditions 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
255936  Assess rail track conditions 
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 4  NQF Level 04  10 
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 person credited with this unit standard is able to explain the reasons and inspection cycles for conducting rail track inspections and will know how to conduct a visual inspection while recording all the necessary information. The learner will also be able to calculate the required material quantities as well as the time frame for the repairs. Learners will also be able to explain what obstructions may affect the repair and maintenance procedure and determine the budgetary and resource requirements.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Carrying out rail track inspections.
  • Performing rail track surveys.
  • Evaluating rail track data.
  • Determining resources required for rectification of rail track conditions.
  • Controlling rail track rectification and production quality. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification will be assumed competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Carry out rail track inspections. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different types of rail track inspections are explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different types of rail track inspections may include but are not limited to trolley, ballast, rail profile, sleepers, vehicle structure gauge, bridges, culverts, level crossings, turnouts, geometry, lubricators, drainage, formation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reasons for conducting rail tack inspections are explained in order to determine the condition of the asset. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Inspection cycles are explained in order to determine the remaining life span. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Measurements are taken and recorded in accordance with standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Visual inspections are conducted and recorded in accordance with standard operating procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Perform rail track surveys. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different types of rail track surveys are explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different types of rail track surveys may include but are not limited to ballast volumes, ballast contamination, fixed points of curves, clearances, pre-lifts, sleepers, rails, turnouts, gradients, test sections.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reasons for conducting rail track surveys are explained in terms of maintenance requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Rail track data is collected according to standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Rail track data will include Overhead Track Equipment (OHTE) and signals.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Evaluate rail track data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Rail track data is analysed in order to determine the maintenance priorities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Material quantities are calculated in order to establish volumes required and in accordance with specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Material quantities may include but are not limited to ballasts, spoil, sleepers, rails, fastenings.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Time frame for repairs and maintenance are worked out according to priorities determined. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Obstructions that will affect the maintenance programme are explained in terms of safety and production. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Obstructions may include but are not limited to bridges, access, OHTE bonds, operations requirements, level crossings, platforms, tunnels, fouling points, security situation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Relevant documentation is completed according to industry practice. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Determine resources required for rectification of rail track conditions. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Resources may include but are not limited to people, money, equipment, material, plant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Budgetary and capacity constraints are established in order to obtain resources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Availability of resources is determined in terms of process to be followed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Resources to be used are reserved in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Control rail track rectification and production quality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Records of measurements are scrutinised and matched against specifications and standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Data is gathered and captured regarding the work progress. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Health and safety file is maintained in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Safety may include but are not limited to safety talks, green areas, training, certification, risk analysis, safety audits.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Deviations from the programme are identified by comparing progress with plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Action plans to rectify the deviations are drawn up in order to address the situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Action plan is implemented in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor 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.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Reading and analysing specifications.
  • Tamping of ballast procedures.
  • Temperature ranges.
  • Track standards and specifications.
  • Track handover procedures.
  • Quantity calculations.
  • The interpretation of contracts.
  • Relevant environmental regulations and legislation.
  • Health, safety and housekeeping procedures and regulations.
  • Reporting and documentation requirements and procedures.
  • Construction regulations.
  • On-track machine capacities and outputs.
  • Track and turnout measurement methods. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others in the pursuit of effecting the highest standard of track condition. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities in order to ensure that reports and action plans are generated within defined timeframes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information pertaining to the assessment of rail track conditions and to control rail track rectification and production quality. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively when implementing action plans to rectify rail track conditions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to assist with the capturing and processing rail track condition data and in maintaining records. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems in that the poor assessment of rail track conditions has a negative impact on the public and organisation. 

    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  61670   Further Education and Training Certificate: Railway Construction and Maintenance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.