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: 

Respond to abnormal process conditions 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14793  Respond to abnormal process conditions 
ORIGINATOR
Chemical Industries SGB 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Engineering and Related Design 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 2002-10-09  2005-10-09  SAQA 0144/02 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2006-10-09   2009-10-09  

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 
This standard is aimed at people who work or intend to work within a large process operation in the chemical or similar industry, and seek recognition for skills essential for controlling such a process.

Those learners who acquire the outcomes of this standard will know about and be able to respond to abnormal process conditions, pertaining to the chemical industry.

For the purposes of this standard a process is understood to be a range of processes operated in an integrated manner to produce a product or products.

The qualifying learner is able to:
  • Diagnose faults affecting process conditions as per operating principles and theory
  • Correct abnormal process conditions as per operating principles and theory
  • Communicate abnormal process conditions on actions taken 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Learners accessing this unit standard will have demonstrated competence against the unit standards; Establish system start up conditions, Start up the system, Monitor and maintain system conditions, Collect and interpret non-routine information regarding system conditions, Shut down the system to a specified state, Contribute to the maintenance of a system, Respond to hazardous emergencies or equivalent.
  • Learners working towards the full qualifications will have demonstrated competence against the unit standards in the National Certificate in Chemical Systems Operations - NQF Level 3 or equivalent (use updated qualification title) 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Range statements, which are applicable to the unit standard titles, specific outcomes and assessment criteria are found beneath the applicable assessment criteria.

    The following range statement is general to the qualification:
  • Information may include process conditions, process parameters, equipment and written. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Diagnose faults affecting process conditions as per operating principles and theory 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The likely outcome, should the problem not be rectified is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The range of possible causes for any given problem is listed and operating principles is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. How the diagnosis of the problem is derived from operating principles and is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The potential impact on other areas is assessed and the most likely cause of the problem and action required is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Relevant sources of information are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Clear and accurate statements of the problem and possible causes are obtained from appropriate people. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. Action required to solve the problem is established and records completed accurately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. Conclusions of problem analysis is based on accurate interpretation of the information available. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Sources of information may include surveys, readings, records, reports and observations from field.
  • Problems may include process equipment, process materials and contaminants, utilities, control systems, other working area which effect operator's and climatic conditions.
  • Actions may include taking direct control by remote operation of equipment, instruction field operators to take action on locally controlled or operated equipment, initiating shutdown, maintaining process by starting process by starting up standby equipment and maintaining process control by using alternative modes of control.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Correct abnormal process conditions as per operating principles and theory 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Corrective action is appropriate to the problem and any actions taken maintains process safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Problem is solved with minimal loss and waste. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Appropriate people are informed of the problem in own and other areas are informed of possible impact. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Process status and corrective action taken is reported accurately to authorised personnel. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Appropriate people are informed about any action taken and communications are clear. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Actions are modified in response to changing process conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. Help is sought from appropriate people. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. Records are completed accurately and in the required time frame and records are maintained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    9. Records are filed and passed to appropriate personnel. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Records may include log books and data sheets.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Communicate abnormal process conditions on actions taken 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Types of communication links to be used between control room operator and others is described and used. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The consequences of delaying action are identified and described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The potential hazards associated with action are identified and described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Reasons why records need to be made promptly and accurately are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Reasons for recording details of problem and actions taken are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Any interlock system designed to protect equipment and environment during process excursion is used. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. Outcomes of proposed corrective action are taken. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. The appropriate responses to process alarms are taken. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Communication may include face to face, telephone, radio and written.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The relevant Educational Training Quality Assurance Body (ETQA), will accredit providers offering learning towards this standard and will register assessors. They will also appoint the internal and external moderators. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Terminology and use of instrumentation.
  • Instrument processes and procedures used
  • Instrument diagrams and symbols
  • Measurement, instrumentation and equipment used
  • Fault finding and problem solving methods and techniques
  • Chemicals
  • Policies and operating procedures
  • An in depth understanding of terminology associated with appropriate equipment
  • A comprehensive understanding of operating principles of appropriate equipment
  • An in depth understanding of working principles of appropriate equipment
  • A comprehensive understanding of place or position (layout) of the plant equipment and utilities
  • An all rounded understanding of first line maintenance procedures and problem solving
  • A comprehensive understanding of fault diagnostics and team work (who is responsible for what)
  • An in depth understanding of organogram results of non-conformance
  • Names, characteristics and chemical reactions of materials to be processed
  • Rules, laws, regulations and statutory requirements
  • Procedures and quality measurement instruments relating to Quality Assurance 
    		•


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made towards the responding to abnormal chemical process conditions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team and organisation to conduct, communicate and respond to abnormal process conditions and activities. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively, while responding to abnormal process conditions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information in order to respond to abnormal process conditions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion, with regards to reporting and recording of information and abnormal conditions during the responding to abnormal chemical process conditions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others during response of abnormal process conditions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating and understanding the chemical process as a set or related systems by identifying the impact of abnormalities in one part of the system. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  22868   National Certificate: Chemical Process Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2005-10-09  CHIETA 


    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.