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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 QUALIFICATION: |
| Occupational Certificate: Falsework Inspector |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 125098 | Occupational Certificate: Falsework Inspector | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner - CETA | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| QCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Part-Qualification | Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction | Civil Engineering Construction | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 115 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 04 | Regular-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Registered | EXCO 0936/25 | 2025-11-13 | 2029-11-13 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2030-11-13 | 2033-11-13 | |||
| 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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| Purpose:
The purpose of this part qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Falsework Inspector. A qualified Falsework Inspector can work across a diverse range of professions and sectors where falsework plays a crucial role. In addition, learner attributes (including problem-solving, decision-making, ethics, interpreting information, and communication) will be integrated into the learning process. Learners will have to prove competence of the below knowledge, skills, attitudes, responsibilities, and tasks embedded in the exit level outcomes. A Falsework Inspector inspects Falsework for compliance and signs it off for use. A qualified learner will be able to: A competent Falsework Inspector will exhibit key attributes, amongst others, the following: Rationale: The need for this Part Qualification: Falsework Inspector was identified during the development of the National Occupational Certificate: Falsework Foreman. Currently, there is no registered qualification aimed at falsework (including formwork and support work) construction. Falsework consists of a temporary structure used in construction to support a permanent structure (such as buildings and bridges) until it has gained sufficient strength to support itself. Currently, there are no SANS (South African National Standards) for Falsework, and the British and EN (European Nations) Standards have mainly been adopted in industry to ensure minimum standards in the quality of work. There is a specific need for a qualification for Falsework Inspectors as part of the career path for false workers. This part qualification is structured to allow access for first-time entrants into the building/construction sector and many other industries and also caters for several job advancement opportunities as the person progresses through the various exit points. It envisages a person starting as a semi-skilled worker and progressing up to the Supervisor level over a period of time without ever having to relinquish previously acquired skills. A qualifying falsework inspector typically operates in professions related to construction and engineering, where temporary structures are needed to support or hold other construction elements in place. The professions that collaborated in the development of this qualification are either involved, working with, or overseeing falsework in their various capacities to ensure that temporary support systems are properly installed, maintained, and removed as needed during the construction process. Professional registration with the relevant professional body is a requirement for this occupation and the learning process. The Falsework Inspector part qualification will benefit a variety of industries by providing employers with competent and certified Falsework Inspectors who have the knowledge and skills to contribute to safer workplaces. The well-being of the South African economy is reliant on the creation of work opportunities in the building, construction, and infrastructure sectors. Key skills to drive these industries are in short supply, and this part qualification opens the door for the inclusion of previously disadvantaged persons so that they can contribute to the growth of the economy and, at the same time, build lifelong careers that will improve their lives. Qualified Falsework Inspectors will enhance safe working conditions on construction sites and decrease the number of incidents at height. The quality of falsework structures also directly impacts the quality and safety of the structure being supported. Construction-related accidents contribute not only to human loss and injury but also to economic losses. This part-qualification will thus benefit the sector, society, and the economy. Typical learners likely to be attracted to this part-qualification are those who have been working in the construction industry, as well as new entrants to the industry with a specific interest in falsework. This part-qualification will contribute to the development of the learner within the construction industry by providing them with the skills, knowledge, insights, and competence to inspect and sign off falsework in national, provincial, or local construction projects. This part-qualification provides for further learning and career progression opportunities. Learners who have completed this part-qualification can enroll for the National Occupational Certificate: Falsework Foreman. Learners following this route will be granted recognition for modules already completed through Credit Accumulation and Transfer. The typical learners who could enrol for the Falsework Inspector qualification include employees in various industries as part of the organisational legal requirements. The vertical and diagonal articulation possibilities could not be accomplished, as this is a part qualification. Furthermore, prospective youth and local community members with an interest in Falsework will also form part of the typical learners. Collaboration with relevant stakeholders: List typical occupations in which the qualifying learner will operate include: Profession(s) related: Collaboration with relevant stakeholders: The Professional Body: List typical professions in which the qualifying learner will operate include: Construction Sector: Infrastructure and Civil Engineering: Specialized Engineering and Projects: Scaffolding and Formwork Industry: Regulatory and Compliance: Project Management and Quality Assurance: Consulting and Advisory: A qualified Falsework Inspector plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, stability, and compliance of temporary support structures across these various sectors and professions. Their expertise helps to prevent accidents, maintain quality standards, and ensure the successful completion of construction projects. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill, and Work Experience Modules:
Knowledge Modules: Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 18 Practical Skill Modules: Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 17 Work Experience Modules: Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 80 |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| Exit Level Outcomes:
1. Construct and maintain safe falsework structures applying essential knowledge, methods, procedures, and techniques. 2. Evaluate the integrity of Falsework by applying essential methods, procedures, and techniques to gather relevant information and address shortcomings. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
ELO 1: Construct and maintain safe falsework structures applying essential knowledge, methods, procedures, and techniques. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: ELO 2: Evaluate the integrity of Falsework by applying essential methods, procedures, and techniques to gather relevant information and address shortcomings. INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT Formative Assessments conducted internally: Formative assessments are conducted throughout the training of learners. A range of formal, non-formal, and informal ongoing assessment activities are used to focus on teaching and learning outcomes to improve learner attainment. Formative assessments are conducted continuously by the facilitator to feed into further learning, to identify strengths and weakness, and to ensure the learner's ability to apply knowledge, skills and workplace experience gained. Formative Assessments are conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP), and a variety of ongoing assessment methods may be used, for example, quizzes, assignments, tests, scenarios, role play, interviews. Continuous feedback must be provided. The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment. Integrated Assessment involves all the different types of assessment tasks required for a particular part-qualification, such as written assessment of theory and practical demonstration of competence. To achieve this, the Internal Assessment Criteria (IAC) for all modules as found in the QCTO curriculum document must be followed. An accredited SDP should implement a well-designed, formal, relevant, final internal Summative Assessment strategy for all modules to prepare learners for the EISA. These assessments evaluate learning achievements relating to the achievement of each module of the relevant components of the part-qualification. Internal Summative Assessments are developed, moderated and conducted by the SDP at the end of each module or after integration of relevant modules, e.g. applied knowledge tests, workplace tasks, practical demonstrations, simulated tasks/demonstrations, projects, case studies, etc. The results of these final formal summative assessments must be recorded. These results, which include the Statement of Work Experience results, where applicable, contribute to the Statement of Results (SoR) that is a requirement for admission to the EISA. An SoR, using the template provided by the Quality Partner, is issued by the accredited SDP for qualifications and part-qualifications. The SDP must produce a valid Statement of Results for each learner, indicating the result and the date on which the competence in each module, of each component, was achieved. Learners are required to produce this SoR, together with their ID document or alternative ID document, at the point of the EISA. An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner, is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. The Quality Partner is responsible for the management, conduct and implementation of the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA), in accordance with QCTO set standards. Competence in the EISA is a requirement for certificating a learner. For entrance into the EISA, the learner requires a valid Statement of Results issued by the accredited institution indicating, the attainment of all modules for the Knowledge, Practical, and Work Experience modules. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| Internationally, falsework and formwork Inspector training is most often conducted in-house by supplier companies or in the workplace itself. The comparison for the Occupational Certificate: Falsework Inspector was done with qualifications offered in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. In general, a consulting structural engineer would not normally be involved in certifying formwork. It is a specialist area which now involves a large responsibility under both the Construction Safety Act and Associated Regulations and under the Work Cover Code of Practice. Certification to meet Work Cover requirements is best done by a specialist engineer. Formwork companies may have their own in-house structural engineers who certify that company's formwork, or they may contract specialist consulting structural engineers to carry out certification for them.
United Kingdom (UK): In the United Kingdom, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has accredited a course for a Falsework Coordinator, commonly known as the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC). The law says any temporary structure must be designed, installed, and maintained to withstand any foreseeable loads that may be imposed on it, and that it be only used for the purposes for which it was designed, installed, and maintained. Temporary works such as scaffolding, excavations, cofferdams, and caissons must be regularly inspected by a competent person. Regulation 9(3) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, 1996 requires the appointment of a properly trained Falsework Co-ordinator for any project requiring falsework. In response, the British Standard BS 5975 (Code of practice for temporary works) was published in 2019. The standard specifies the duties of the Temporary Works Coordinator to ensure all procedures are followed, all checks and inspections carried out, and any changes authorised. It also requires that falsework may not be loaded or struck without the written permission of the Temporary Works Coordinator. In accordance with this standard, the Temporary Works Co-ordinator (TWC) has overall responsibility for the temporary works on the site and is the first point of contact between the Temporary Works Designer and the site team. The standard also provides for the appointment of a Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS), in addition to the TWC, on larger projects. The pre-requisite for this course is: There are no formal entry requirements for the TWC, but learners are expected to have a working knowledge of the following legislation: A key issue for temporary works is health and safety, so learners need to be prepared to discuss how health and safety legislation is relevant to temporary works, and which Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) and guidance notes may assist or contribute to safe practices in temporary works. Learners need to be prepared to discuss and explore all the core health and safety factors that are integrated into temporary works processes at all stages of a project, from initiation to closure. They will need to have a working knowledge of all associated legislation, specifically the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, in terms of its intention and compliance. Learners must also have a thorough understanding of health and safety principles and understand the importance of risk management, design considerations, inspection and testing, and recording and monitoring requirements. Learners who have achieved a certificate approved against the Health and Safety in Construction Site Supervision standard (such as SSSTS or SSSTS-R) or the Health and Safety in Construction Site Management standard (such as SMSTS or SMSTS-R) will have gained the knowledge to meet these expectations. This is not a mandatory prerequisite, but learners with these achievements will benefit from having this knowledge before attending the course. To further support learners, CITB has created a Temporary Works Awareness eLearning, which provides a foundation for the points that will be expanded on in this course. It explores how health and safety legislation plays a pivotal role in temporary works and how documents which are common to more generic construction activities are useful aids for planning and the ongoing management and monitoring of temporary works. Similarities: The Occupational Certificate: Falsework Inspector also includes knowledge of occupational health and safety and the Construction Regulations 2014, issued by the Department of Employment and Labour. Differences: The Occupational Certificate: Falsework Inspector focuses on the inspection of Falsework specifically, whereas the Temporary Works Coordinator has a much broader focus and might not have completed a qualification as a Falsework Erector, which is a pre-requisite for the Occupational Certificate: Falsework Inspector. The Falsework Inspectors are not required to know all the different legislations that the Temporary Works Coordinator needs to know. Training providers currently training this course include, for example: 1. Project Skills Solutions. 2. Essential Site Skills. New Zealand: In New Zealand, there is one unit standard that covers the inspection of Falsework, i.e., Unit Standard 26603: Design, erect, and dismantle advanced falsework, which is at a level 5, 15 credits. This unit standard is for people who have intermediate scaffolding skills and who want to develop their scaffolding skills to an advanced level. People credited with this unit standard are able to: Pre-requisite for this course: New Zealand Certificate in Scaffolding (Level 4) [Ref: 2362] or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills. Similarities: The Occupational Certificate: Falsework Inspector focuses on some of the same outcomes, i.e., erect, modify, and dismantle advanced falsework structures. The main objective and outcome to achieve is to inspect the different structures for compliance. Differences: In comparing these outcomes of the New Zealand certificate with the Occupational Certificate: Falsework Inspector, it was noted that the design of the falsework structures will not be included in the SA occupational qualification. Proper knowledge of occupational health and safety is a priority and is also included in the part qualification, but these outcomes would have been part of the person in New Zealand's pre-requisite qualifications. Training providers in New Zealand for this course are for example: Conclusion: The Part Qualification: Falsework Inspector compares well with the British Standard BS 5975:2019 (Code of practice for temporary works) in terms of content covered, and it also covers all responsibilities related to the inspection of falsework. The New Zealand Certificate also compares favourably with the South African Occupational Qualification. The objective in South Africa is to train more Falsework Inspectors to conduct inspections, as not all Engineers have the subject matter expertise to do this. In the future, this qualification can be used by other countries for comparison. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| Horizontal Articulation:
Vertical Articulation: Diagonal Articulation: |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| N/A. |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| N/A. |
| NOTES |
| Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
Criteria for Accreditation: Accreditation requirements, against which Skills Development Providers (SDP) and Assessment Centres will be accredited, are found in the Curriculum Document, as listed below. Curriculum Code: Occupational Certificate: Falsework Inspector: 641902-002-00-02. Encompassed Trades: Associated Qualification(s)/Part-Qualification(s): |
| LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| NONE |
| PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| 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. |