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: 

Grind and polish marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone floors using diamond discs 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
110457  Grind and polish marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone floors using diamond discs 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Hygiene & Cleaning Services 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Cleaning, Domestic, Hiring, Property and Rescue Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 qualifying learner working towards this standard will be learning towards a full qualification, or will be involved in or working within a cleaning services environment. Qualifying learners are able to grind and polish marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone floors using diamond discs in a commercial, industrial, pharmaceutical, food handling, domestic and health care cleaning environment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The learner has the speaking and listening ability equal to NQF Level 3 Communication Skills standard and/or any other communication skill that will enable him/her to confirm the knowledge and skills required by this unit standard.
The learner will have completed the following unit standards:

Understand basic cleaning principles and perform basic cleaning tasks 12520
Identify surfaces and soilage and its cleaning procedures 12515
Use chemicals in cleaning procedures 12517
Vacuum clean wet surfaces
Buff, burnish and scrub hard and resilient floors 12533
Operate a scrubbing / buffing and burnishing machine 12524
Wet mop floors 12521
Crystallize polished marble and terrazzo floors 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
1. The scope of this unit standard is for any person who grinds and polishes marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone floors using diamond discs.
2. In the context of this unit standard a single disc machine is a heavy duty slow-speed machine with a maximum rotational speed of 140 r.p.m. Planetary scrubbing machines are also suitable for grinding, honing and polishing floors. The machines must be fitted with a solution tank.
3. The level assigned to this unit standard is appropriate because the processes require a wide range of technical skills, offer a considerable choice of procedures, and are applied in a variety of familiar and unfamiliar contexts. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Assess the condition of a polished marble, terrazzo, concrete or stone floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Checks for lippage on a tiled floor surface. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Explains how lippage on a tiled floor originates. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Assesses and categorises the degree of lippage on a tiled floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Explains the choice of the correct grit diamond disc to remove lippage of less than 1 mm. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Explains the choice of the correct grit diamond disc to remove lippage of more than 1 mm. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Assesses and categorises the degree of scratching, scoring or damage visible on the floor surface. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Explains the choice of the correct grit diamond discs to remove light, surface scratches. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Explains the choice of the correct grit diamond discs to remove moderate scratching from the floor surface. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9. Explains the choice of the correct grit diamond discs to remove heavy scratching and scoring from the floor surface. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
10. Explains the reason for choosing the least abrasive diamond disc that will successfully remove the scratching, scoring or damage from the floor surface. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Prepare to grind and polish marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone floors. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Selects the correct single disc machine, wet vacuum cleaner and accessories, wet mopping system and diamond discs. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Explains the reason for selecting the correct single disc machine, wet vacuum cleaner and accessories, wet mopping system and diamond discs. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Selects the correct personal clothing and protective equipment. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Explains the reason for selecting the correct personal clothing and protective equipment. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Removes movable furniture and equipment from the area to be polished. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Explains why movable furniture and equipment must be removed from the area to be polished. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Sweeps the area to be polished. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Explains why the area to be polished must first be swept. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9. Correctly places wet floor safety warning signs and, if applicable, cordons off the demarcated area. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
10. Explains why wet floor safety warning signs must be correctly placed, and why areas may have to be cordoned off. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Remove lippage from a marble, terrazzo, or stone floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Selects a floor surface where lippage is present. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Selects the correct grit diamond discs to remove the lippage from the floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Checks the wear status on the diamond discs before fitting them to the pad driving disc/s. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Explains how to check the wear status. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Fits the diamond discs to the pad driving disc/s. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Fills the solution tank with clean water. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Feeds clean water through the scrubbing machine to provide a lubricant for the diamond discs. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Explains the reason for thoroughly wetting the floor surface. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9. Grinds the floor using the "double cross pass" method. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
10. Explains the reason for continuing to feed water through the scrubbing machine during the lippage removal process. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
11. Wet vacuums the slurry from the floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 12 
12. Flood rinses the floor with clean water. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 13 
13. Explains the reason for flood rinsing the floor with clean water. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 14 
14. Wet vacuums the rinsing water from the floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 15 
15. Checks the floor for any remaining slurry residues. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 16 
16. Explains the reason for checking that no slurry residues remain on the floor surface. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 17 
17. Inspects the quality of work continuously. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 18 
18. Explains why s/he needs to inspect the quality of work. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Grind, hone and polish a marble, terrazzo, concrete or stone floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Selects a floor that requires grinding, honing and polishing. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Selects the correct grit diamond discs to grind, hone and polish a floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Fits the diamond discs required in the grinding stage to the pad-driving disc/s. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Fills the solution tank with clean water. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Feeds clean water through the scrubbing machine to provide a lubricant for the diamond discs. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Grinds the floor using the "double cross pass" method. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Explains the reason for continuing to feed water through the scrubbing machine during the grinding, honing and polishing processes. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Wet vacuums the slurry from the floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9. Flood rinses the floor with clean water. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
10. Wet vacuums the rinsing water from the floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
11. Checks the floor for any remaining slurry residues. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 12 
12. Explains the reason for checking that no slurry residues remain on the floor surface. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 13 
13. Fits the diamond discs required in the honing stage to the pad-driving disc/s. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 14 
14. Wets the floor thoroughly with water to provide a lubricant for the diamond discs. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 15 
15. Hones the floor using the "double cross pass" method. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 16 
16. Checks that the honing has removed all the scratching that resulted from the grinding stage. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 17 
17. Explains the reason for ensuring that the honing stage has removed all the scratching that occurred during the grinding stage. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 18 
18. Wet vacuums the slurry from the floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 19 
19. Flood rinses the floor with clean water. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 20 
20. Wet vacuums the rinsing water from the floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 21 
21. Checks the floor for any remaining slurry residues. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 22 
22. Fits the diamond discs required in the polishing stage to the pad-driving disc/s. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 23 
23. Wets the floor thoroughly with water to provide a lubricant for the diamond discs. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 24 
24. Polishes the floor using the "double cross pass" method. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 25 
25. Checks that the polishing has removed all the scratching that resulted from the honing stage. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 26 
26. Explains the reason for ensuring that the polishing stage has removed all the scratching that occurred during the grinding stage. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 27 
27. Wet vacuums the slurry from the floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 28 
28. Flood rinses the floor with clean water. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 29 
29. Wet vacuums the rinsing water from the floor. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 30 
30. Checks the floor for any remaining slurry residues. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 31 
31. Explains the reason for recommending crystallization of a marble or terrazzo floor after the final honing or polishing stage has been completed. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Perform end of task procedures after grinding and polishing marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone. 
OUTCOME NOTES 
Perform end of task procedures after grinding and polishing marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone floors using diamond discs. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Removes cordons and wet floor safety warning signs from the area. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Explains the importance of removing cordons and wet floor safety warning signs from the area. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Repositions furniture and equipment. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Disposes of the slurry and rinsing water according to environmental requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Explains the disposal procedure for the slurry and rinsing water. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Empties the solution tank on the scrubbing machine and disposes of the clean water. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Cleans, dries and stores the machines and equipment. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Explains the importance of cleaning, drying and storing machines and equipment. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9. Reports faulty cleaning machinery and cleaning equipment. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
10. Explains the reporting procedure for faulty cleaning machinery and cleaning equipment. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
1. An assessor accredited by the Services SETA ETQA will assess the competency.
2. Assessment procedures will be supplied to the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
3. All assessment activities must be fair so that all candidates can have equal opportunities.
4. Assessment will be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
5. Questions and answers must determine the theoretical knowledge.
6. Direct observation, preferably in the workplace, or as a second choice in simulated conditions are preferred.
7. A practical demonstration of competencies is required in this unit standard.
8. Reporting skills are demonstrated by effective communication that may be verbal or any other agreed upon method.
9. Internal Moderation: could be determined by the provider.
10. External Moderation: to be performed by an assessor that is registered with the ETQA. 

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
Embedded knowledge is reflected within the assessment criteria of each Specific Outcome. 

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
N/A 

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
N/A 


Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
Identify and solve problems in which response displays that responsible decisions, using critical and creative thinking, have been made.
Evident in the following specific outcomes:
  • Assess the condition of a polished marble, terrazzo, concrete or stone floor,
  • Remove lippage from a marble, terrazzo, or stone floor,
  • Grind, hone and polish a marble, terrazzo, concrete or stone floor,
  • Perform end of task procedures after grinding and polishing marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone floors using diamond
    discs. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community.
    Evident in the following specific outcomes 2, 3, 4 and 5.
  • Prepare to grind and polish marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone floors.
  • Remove lippage from a marble, terrazzo, or stone floor,
  • Grind, hone and polish a marble, terrazzo, concrete or stone floor,
  • Perform end of task procedures after grinding and polishing marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone floors using diamond discs. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by using mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation. Evident in the following specific outcomes:
  • Assess the condition of a polished marble, terrazzo, concrete or stone floor,
  • Remove lippage from a marble, terrazzo, or stone floor,
  • Grind, hone and polish a marble, terrazzo, concrete or stone floor,
  • Perform end of task procedures after grinding and polishing marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone floors using diamond
    discs. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
    Evident in the following specific outcomes:
  • Remove lippage from a marble, terrazzo, or stone floor,
  • Grind, hone and polish a marble, terrazzo, concrete or stone floor 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large by participating as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national and global communities.
    Evident in the following specific outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
  • Assess the condition of a polished marble, terrazzo, concrete or stone floor.
  • Prepare to grind and polish marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone floors.
  • Remove lippage from a marble, terrazzo, or stone floor,
  • Grind, hone and polish a marble, terrazzo, concrete or stone floor,
  • Perform end of task procedures after grinding and polishing marble, terrazzo, concrete and stone floors using diamond discs. 
    		•

    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 
    Range statements that refer to assessment criteria in this unit standard:

    1. Assessment criteria marked with * are assessed according to worksite procedures.
    2. Crystallization refers to the chemical reaction between the crystallization chemical and the calcium carbonate in the marble or marble chips in terrazzo. The result of the combined chemical and mechanical / abrasive action is a smoothing and hardening of the floor surface. The term "vitrification" is sometimes used to describe the crystallisation process. The use of either crystallization or vitrification is acceptable in describing the process.
    3. Diamond discs refers to the abrasive discs used in grinding and polishing floors. Both natural and "synthetic" diamonds are used in the manufacture of these discs. Their grit rating relates to their degree of abrasiveness. The lower the grit value the more abrasive the diamond disc.
    4. Double cross pass method refers to the method where the machine operator uses both side-to-side and forward and backward scrubbing passes.
    5. Flood rinses refers to the sufficient application of rinsing water to suspend and rinse the slurry from the floor surface.
    6. Grinding refers to the stage during which diamond discs ranging from 60 grit to 120 grit are used. No gloss is evident after completion of the grinding stage.
    7. Honing refers to the stage during which 200 grit diamond discs are used. A sheen / low gloss is evident after the completion of the honing stage.
    8. Lippage refers to the height difference between the edges of marble or terrazzo tiles. Lippage is usually present to a greater or lesser extent on all newly laid marble or terrazzo tiled floors. The poorer the quality of workmanship in laying the tiles, the greater the degree of lippage. Excessive lippage refers to a height differential in excess of 1 mm.
    9. Polishing refers to the stage during which diamond discs ranging from 400 grit to 1800 grit are used. The gloss produced is dependent on grit of the diamond disc that is used. The higher the grit value, the higher the gloss produced.
    10. Slurry refers to the solution comprising water, marble, terrazzo, concrete or stone residues and abrasive diamond particles that have detached from the diamond discs during the scrubbing process. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  20175   National Certificate: Hygiene and Cleaning Supervision  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    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.