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: 

Handle cyanide safely in a laboratory 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115505  Handle cyanide safely in a laboratory 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Mining and Minerals 
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 2  NQF Level 02  4 
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 
This unit standard will be useful to people who are responsible for handling cyanide safely in a laboratory
People credited with this unit standard are able to
  • Demonstrate knowledge relating to the handling of cyanide;
  • Prepare to handle cyanide;
  • Handle cyanide; and
  • Complete the duties pertaining to cyanide handling.

    The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and contribute to the upliftment and economic growth of the mining and minerals sector. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Literacy and numeracy at ABET Level 4 or equivalent
  • Valid first-aid certificate 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.
    Types of cyanide
  • Salts
  • Solutions 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge relating to the handling of cyanide. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The legal and specified requirements pertaining to a safe, healthy work environment in cyanide handling and the consequences of not adhering to the above are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of handling cyanide in terms of achieving specified production and up-and down stream operational requirements is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Hazards and associated risks, pertaining to the handling of cyanide, are identified and explained in reference to team health, safety and environmental impact. The appropriate preventive measures are listed in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The authorisation and lock out procedure pertaining to cyanide handling and the consequences of non-compliance is explained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The communication procedures pertaining to cyanide handling and the consequences of non-compliance are explained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The actions to be taken, should sub-standard conditions and problems be encountered, are explained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Emergency procedures to be followed in the event of cyanide spillage and poisoning are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Emergency procedures must include:
    Basic first-aid treatment of cyanide exposure
    Cyanide complexing
    Spillage disposal
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The operating parameters and control methods and the consequences of not adhering to these are explained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The colour coding and symbolic signs pertaining to cyanide handling are explained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    The security procedures pertaining to cyanide handling are explained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare to handle cyanide. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The required personal protective and safety equipment is available, operational and fit for purpose in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Tools and equipment are verified and examined in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Hazards and associated risks, pertaining to the handling of cyanide, are dealt with in terms of team health, safety and environmental impact. The appropriate preventive measures are applied in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Handle cyanide. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The required personal protective and safety equipment is used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The cyanide handling process is monitored and controlled in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Effective communication is used to ensure safe and optimal handling of cyanide in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Tools and equipment are used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Hazards and associated risks, pertaining to the handling of cyanide, are dealt with in terms of team health, safety and environmental impact. The appropriate preventive measures are applied in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Sub standard conditions encountered are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Complete the duties pertaining to cyanide handling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The work is completed to meet health, safety and environmental standards in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Health, safety and environmental issues must include:
    Housekeeping
    Waste Disposal
    Storage
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The security procedures pertaining to cyanide handling are followed in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The reporting and recording procedures are followed in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The lock-out procedures are adhered to in accordance with specified requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.

    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Health and safety knowledge
  • Report writing
  • Legal and site-specific requirements 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to identify technical problems, sub standard and hazardous conditions, assess and takes appropriate action. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
    Note: The candidate is required to maintain the link in the process in order to achieve production, health, safety and environmental targets. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
    Note: The candidate is required to prioritise and integrate the various activities in order to meet the set targets. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to collect and evaluate information from numerical data and/or physical observations in terms of specified requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written presentations.
    Note: The candidate is required to accurately and clearly convey information to relevant personnel. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
    Note: The candidate is required to use equipment responsibly to avoid environmental pollution and to safeguard team health. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
    Note: The candidate is aware of his/her role in the organization in terms of social, economic and environmental impact. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology

    Specified requirements

    Specified requirements include legal and site-specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:

    Legal:
  • Relevant Acts: e.g. Mine Health & Safety Act, 1996 (Act 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991)
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice
  • SABS and other Standards
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives

    Site-specific:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA)
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme
  • Managerial Instructions
  • Mine Standard Procedures
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks
  • Working Guides
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications

    Unit standard justification

    Level

    Attribute-Level-Justification
    Skills-2-Moderate in range.
    Procedures-2-Established and familiar.
    Context-2-Routine and familiar.
    Knowledge-2-Basic operational.
    Information processing-2-Basic processing of readily available information.
    Problem Solving-2-Known solutions to familiar problems.
    Orientation of activities-2-Directed.
    Application of responsibility-3-Under general supervision and quality checking.
    Orientation of scope of responsibility-2-Some responsibility for quantity and quality and possible responsibility for guiding others.

    Average level: = 2.11
    Actual level assigned: = 2

    Credits

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:

    Activity
    Classroom Teaching 20 hours
    On-The-Job Training 20 hours
    Mentoring required 0
    Other (Specify) 0
    Total 40

    Credits achieved: = 40 / 10 = 4.0
    Credits assigned: = 4 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  58248   National Certificate: Laboratory Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2008-08-05  MQA 
    Elective  64949   National Certificate: Laboratory Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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.
     
    1. IMPALA PLATINUM SERVICES LTD 
    2. METSKILL PTY LTD 


    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.