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 ultrasonic testing of rail tracks 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
255934  Demonstrate an understanding of ultrasonic testing of rail tracks 
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  6 
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 understand the propagation of ultrasonic sound and the conditions which may affect the effectiveness of the ultrasonic test. Learners will also be able to gather field data in order to inform the remedial actions which will need to be taken. Learners will be able to interpret and use the ultrasonic test report to make informed decisions on what remedial action will need to be taken to ensure the safety of the rail track. Learners will also be able to explain and recommend remedial action to be taken to facilitate repairs.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the principles of ultrasonic testing.
  • Gathering field data on the rail.
  • Reading ultrasonic reports.
  • Taking appropriate remedial action. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this unit standard 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 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of ultrasonic testing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of ultrasonic testing on the rail is explained in terms of its importance to preventative maintenance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The propagation of ultrasonic sound in the rail is described in order to understand its limitations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Conditions which may affect the effectiveness of the ultrasonic test are described in terms of penetration. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Conditions may include but are not limited to the shape of rail, the surface condition and excessive lubrication.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Areas of the rail not covered by the ultrasonic test are described by pointing them out on a diagram. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The use of a couplant in ultrasonic testing is explained in terms of its importance to ensure propagation of ultrasonic sound. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Gather field data on the rail. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The data required is described in order to inform remedial action to be taken. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Data required may include but is not limited to the type of rail, properties of the rail and wear.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Data is collected using a rail wear gauge and by visual inspection. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Data collected is recorded in accordance with policy and procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Read ultrasonic reports. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The content of the ultrasonic rail test report is described in order to read and interpret the report. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The type of defect indicated is explained in terms of remedial action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The size of the defect indicated is explained in terms of remedial action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The defects are categorised in terms of seriousness and urgency. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Take appropriate remedial action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Types of remedial action to be taken are explained with an example of each. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Types of remedial action is determined by the size and type of the defect.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The urgency of the remedial action is determined by the size and type of the defect. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Notification of remedial action is communicated to all role players according to organisational policy and procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Field data collected is communicated to role players in order to facilitate repairs. 


    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 
  • The purpose and use of a Rail Wear Gauge.
  • Procedures for conducting ultrasonic testing.
  • Methods and techniques for gathering data.
  • Communication and feedback skills.
  • Safety precautions to be observed for rail defects and fractures.
  • Methods of marking rails with ultrasonically detected defects. 
    		•

    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 use of ultrasonic testing and remedial actions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others in order to obtain field data for informing remedial actions to be taken. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information pertaining to field data on the rail. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with all roleplayers in the process of notifying the remedial actions to be taken as well as informing them of field data collected. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to gather field data. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems where the poor analysis of ultrasonic testing may have a negative effect on rail safety. 

    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.