Operate Overhead Crane

Learner Guide

This workbook belongs to you. It is designed to serve as a guide for the duration of

your training program and as a handy resource. It contains readings, activities,

and application aids that will assist you in developing the knowledge and skills

stipulated in the specific outcomes and assessment criteria. Follow along in the guide

as a facilitator takes you through the material, and feel free to make notes and

diagrams that will help you to clarify or retain information. Jot down things that work

well or ideas that come from the group. Also, note any points you would like to explore

further. Participate actively in the skill practice activities, as they will give you an

opportunity to gain insights from other people’s experiences and to practice the skills.

Remember to share your own experiences so that others can learn from you too.

Each module will be preceded by outcomes taken from the relevant Unit Standards.

These will describe what you must know and be able to do in order to successfully

complete the program.

The Unit Standard

A unit standard has been generated by the relevant Standards Generating Body,

submitted to the relevant National Standards Body and subsequently registered by the

South African Qualifications Authority, for persons required to operate a crane. This

unit standard is pegged at NQF level 3 and has been apportioned 10 NQF credits, and

the SAQA ID number is 8039. There are 3 types of unit standards, namely core,

elective, and fundamental standards. For a full qualification, you will need to

successfully complete all fundamental and core unit standards plus a number of the

elective unit standards that in total make up a minimum of 120 credits for a full

qualification as a crane operator.

Where does the unit standard fit in?

This Unit Standard has been registered with SAQA by the Freight Handling Chamber

of the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) and is an elective unit

standard for the National Certificate in Freight Handling, SAQA ID number 14574.

Other elective unit standards for the National Certificate in Freight Handling

Operating Lift Trucks – [6 credits]

Operating Freight Elevators & Conveyor Belt Systems [10 credits]

Operating Dry-Bulk Handling Equipment [10 credits]

Managing Employee Induction [10 credits]

These elective unit standards enable the learner to choose their preferred direction they

wish to specialize in, within the Freight Handling environment.

For a learner to achieve the National Certificate in Freight Handling, they will be

expected to be assessed as competent on all the:

Fundamental unit standards [total of 39 NQF credits]

Core unit standards [total of 73 NQF credits]

This accounts for 112 NQF credits of the minimum 120 NQF credits required.

This means that learners will have to choose elective unit standards from this

qualification to the NQF credit value of at least 8, to make up the minimum 120 NQF

credits to be awarded the full National Certificate in Freight Handling qualification.

Let us first familiarise ourselves with the unit standard, “Operating Cranes”, so that we

are aware of all the specific outcomes, essential embedded knowledge, critical cross

field outcomes, range statements, and assessment criteria, so that we are equipped to

work safely and become fully qualified for the job, creating career opportunities going

forward.