Training requirments

Fleet logistics and
defensive driver
training

4x4 defensive driving

AARTO for fleet managers

AARTO for professional drivers

Anti-hijacking techniques

Dangerous goods by road

Diesel locomotive shunting

Economic driving

Expat RSA roads orientation

Gravel roads defensive driving

Heavy vehicle defensive driving - essential skills

Heavy vehicle defensive driving - full skills training

Light delivery vehicles

Lowbed securement

Maintaining customer relations

Motorcycle defensive driving

Professional driver evaluations

Rigid heavy vehicles

Side tipper trucks

Vehicle combinations

Crane operations

Lift trucks

Lifting operations

Earthmoving plant

Construction plant

Scaffolding

Construction site safety

Health and safety

Working at heights

ISO standards

Dangerous goods

Tools & powertools

Landscaping tools

Download HRETD's pre-operational diesel locomotive checklist.

Included in this mutimedia training programme

The locomotive shunting course is available to employees involved in the shunting of rail vehicles during loading, unloading and maintenance operations; it is not intended for mainline locomotive driving and operations. Training is conducted on-site at the client’s private siding where shunting procedures, which involve vehicles and motive power units or devices, take place.

Course content includes a theory component and hands-on shunting in the client’s siding.

Entry requirements

A grade 10 school-leaving qualification is assumed to be in place for this training course, as a minimum requirement. A grade 10 is equivalent to communication and mathematical literacy at NQF level 2.

Advanced driver training

Diesel locomotive shunting operator training

Train shunting operations

Course content

Legislation: Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993

We look at the legal responsibilities and OHS Act 85 of 1993.

Brands and types of diesel locomotive hauling units and component ID

Visual identification of various brands of hauling units and unit types.

Basic mechanical appreciation of diesel locomotives

We look at component and system identifications, such as diesel engines, the alternators, motor blower, air intakes, rectifiers/inverters, control stand, cab, batteries, traction motor, etc., as well as how they all fit into the functioning of the diesel locomotive.

Identification and understanding motive controls

We outline the basic standard control panel elements, and how to ensure smooth and efficient execution of use.

Diesel locomotive checks and safe operating procedures

We show the learners examples of standard procedures, driving instructions, normal driving, stopping and shutdown, inspections, rules for the locomotive driver and those who shunt, records, logs and operational planning log examples.

Hand signals and radio communication

We demonstrate hand signals and thoroughly explain radio communication.

Fault finding and corrective action

On the cooling system, engine, hydraulic system, transmission, torque converter, differential, electrical system and warning lights.

Rail traffic procedures

We discuss examples of siding plans and shunting operations, as well as the nuances to expect during each operation.

Shunting procedures

We outline procedures before shunting, procedures before entering a building/loading zone, points, interpretation of shunt heads, derailing shunt points, warning notice boards, derailing shunt points, abnormal loads, offloading of trucks, coupling and uncoupling.

Protection

We take the learners through protection at rail crossings, on approach of a rail crossing, accidents and driving disturbances, road users, emergency vehicles, red banners, the loco’s hooter/whistle and coloured lights.

Typical truck types

We describe in detail pressurised tank-, general service tank-, high-pressure tube-, cryogenic liquid tank-, hopper-, box-cars and frame types.

Compulsory notice boards

Confined space, compulsory stop, pedestrian warning and approaching notice boards at night.

Assessment methods

We conduct a formative theoretical assessment at the beginning of the course to gauge the learner’s initial understanding (novices only). At the end of the training, a summative theoretical and practical application assessment is conducted to find if the learner is competent; if not, additional developmental areas are identified and suggested.


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Training programme accreditation

The locomotive shunting training programme is aligned to SAQA unit standard 264338: Shunt Rail Vehicles and falls under the auspices of the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA).

HRETD certification policy

Provided that the entry requirements have been met, and the learner found competent to shunt rail vehicles, the candidate will receive a certificate of competence that is valid for one year.

Learners are required to be recertificated once a year, to keep their certificates valid and up to date.

Fleet logistics and
defensive driver
training
4x4 defensive driving
AARTO for fleet managers
AARTO for professional drivers
Anti-hijacking techniques
Dangerous goods by road
Diesel locomotive shunting
Economic driving
Expat RSA roads orientation
Gravel roads defensive driving
Heavy vehicle defensive driving
- essential skills
Heavy vehicle defensive driving
- full skills training
Light delivery vehicles
Lowbed securement
Maintaining customer relations
Motorcycle defensive driving
Professional driver evaluations
Rigid heavy vehicles
Side tipper trucks
Vehicle combinations

Crane operations
Heavy cranes
Marine loader cranes
Mobile cranes
Mobilifts
Overhead cranes (Cabin)
Overhead cranes (Pendant)
Single girder hoists
Telescopic materials handlers
Truck mounted cranes
Tower cranes

Lift trucks
Advanced defined purpose
Counterbalanced lift trucks
Defined purpose lift trucks
Side loader lift trucks
Rough terrain lift trucks
Tow Tractors

HRETD offers training programmes, from short skills courses to train the trainer courses. We specialise in legal compliance training that is accredited with the TETA and CETA when it comes to technical training, operator training, in service training and onsite training. Our assessors and facilitator trainers responsible for assessment, recertification and certification offer effective training that is Cost effective, competitively priced and affordable in the SADC region including Namibia. We also offer course development. For the transport and logistics industry we offer driver training, advanced driver training and Dangerous goods by road training, as well as diesel locomotive shunting and Fuel bowser training. Rigid heavy vehicle, tip truck, vehicle combination and Water cart training are also offered. When it comes to crane operations training, the lifting machines we specialise in are Heavy cranes and Mobile cranes, as well as Mobilifts, Cabin Overhead cranes, Pendant Overhead cranes and Single girder hoists. We also do Telescopic materials handler, sometimes called Telehandlers and Truck mounted cranes, sometimes called HIAB and Tower cranes. We train on a variety of lift trucks and forklift including counterbalanced lift truck, Advanced defined purpose lift trucks, defined purpose lift trucks and Side loader lift trucks. We also do rough terrain lift trucks, Reach trucks and Pedestrian stackers. Besides these, we also train on order pickers, Side loaders, Very narrow aisle lift trucks and Rail mounted stackers. We give a variety of lifting equipment and lifting operations training including Basic rigging, Banksman and Lifting equipment inspection. We also offer Safe lifting practise training. When it comes to earthmoving plant, we do articulated dump trucks, Concrete dumpers, Excavators and Face shovels. Also offered is Front end loaders, Graders and Rigid dump trucks. We specialise in training for Scrapers, Skid steer loaders and TLBs. Other earthmoving training includes Track type dozers, Tractors and Wheeled dozers (bulldozers). Tractor loader backhoe and dumpers are also offered. Our construction plant training courses includes Asphalt pavers, MEWP (also called cherry picker or mobile elevating works platform), rock breaker and jackhammer, rollers (road rollers) and Tyre handler attachments. When it comes to scaffolding training, we give scaffolding erecting and scaffold inspection – basically scaffolding safety which complies with SANS 10085 – 2004. Our health and safety training includes Construction Regulations 2014 overview or in depth, Construction site flagman and Excavation safety inspection. We also do Ladder inspection, Site safety awareness and Working at heights (also referred to as heights safety or fall arrest as well as Accident/incident investigation and Confined space entry. We offer accredited Fire fighting level 1 and Fire fighting level 2, as well as accredited First aid level 1 and First aid level 2 training. Other safety training we offer is General housekeeping, Handling HAZMAT and Health and safety rep (also called SHE rep and SHEQ), permissions training such as Hot work permissions, Lockout and isolation (also called Lockout Tagout training) We cover the OHS in depth and we have an overview course. We provide Stacking and storing and Stacking and storing HAZMAT (Hazardous materials) training. We train in powertools safety (correctly written power tools) such as Angle grinders, Boilermaking techniques (and welding and arc cutting), Cut-off saws and general Workshop safety including hand tools. When it comes to landscaping (both horticulture and agricultural), we offer Brush cutters, Chainsaws and Lawnmower training. John, a construction team supervisor, was keen on implementing quality principles on his construction site. One day, a scaffold erecting and dismantling supervisor named Sarah joined the team. They had a quick meeting on planned task observations, as they aimed to apply quality control meticulously. The supervisory skills John had acquired in his training courses proved effective as he managed the team smoothly. An incident occurred when they started to operate pan compactors and trench compactors. Safety was their top priority, and they had a fire and evacuation marshal named Tim, as well as a fall protection planner named Emily. Both had gone through rigorous task observation training and were adept at safety monitoring. Suddenly, a fall arrest situation happened. A worker named Jack was dangling from the scaffold. Emily, the fall protection planner, initiated the protocols while Tim, the fire and evacuation marshal, cleared the area. Another team member, trained as a fall arrest rescue technician, sprung into action and rescued Jack efficiently. The next day, the management decided to elevate the role of the fire and evacuation marshal and the fall protection planner, to include teaching supervisory skills and management skills to all staff. It was crucial to maintain standards, including those for scaffold erection, soil compaction, and machinery operation. In the end, John felt proud of his team's swift actions and appreciated how every member's training in areas like conflict resolution, construction safety, and task safety played a role in averting a crisis. The management, impressed by the team's performance, decided to engage Sarah, the scaffold supervisor, to oversee scaffold dismantling as well. Sarah had significant scaffolding skills and had completed courses in leadership training and employee supervision. She was an expert at operating heavy machinery, including the trench compactors. John's team was also responsible for off-road 4x4 driving techniques, heavy vehicle defensive driving, and AARTO system regulations. Given the mix of terrains they had to navigate to reach different construction sites, these skills were essential. They even had courses for light delivery vehicles and motorcycle defensive driving for delivery staff. With AARTO system training, they made sure that professional drivers understood the legal obligations and safety requirements, particularly for fleet managers. To address the challenge of securing heavy machinery for transport, they had a specialized training session on lowbed securement best practices. A team member, Mark, was excellent at maintaining customer relations, a skill he acquired through specific training programs. As the team expanded, pre-employment professional driver evaluations were introduced. This helped in assessing the driving skills of new recruits, which was crucial for maintaining construction site safety. Economic driving skills were taught to make the best use of fuel, reducing operational costs. Their training programs also catered to expats, offering RSA roads orientation, anti-hijacking techniques, and risk mitigation. They even included a unique program focusing on defensive driving for gravel roads. The last addition to their training curriculum was a special course on economic driving skills and techniques to help save fuel and reduce emissions. One day, they received a big project that required additional skilled workers. Luckily, John had undergone supervisory training, enabling him to manage even larger teams effectively. The project was a big success, and it was all thanks to their diverse skill set, continuous training, and excellent supervisory skills. The team felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing their comprehensive training—from 4x4 driving techniques to construction equipment operation—made them versatile and effective in their roles.
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