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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Control composting process 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
12051  Control composting process 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Water Sector 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Civil Engineering Construction 
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" 		 2005-02-09  2008-02-09  SAQA 1058/05 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2009-02-09   2012-02-09  

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 is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
254134  Control composting process  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard in combination with context expertise standard(s) will be able to dewater sludge and sample and monitor compost at a composting plant. This competence will enable the learner to control the composting process to ensure safe disposal of sludge in accordance with legislation and sludge guidelines. This competence will enable the learner to contribute towards optimal functioning of the works and the economic sustainability of the environment. In addition the learner will gain enhanced skills, thereby improving the learner`s motivation, employability and basic work experience. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Knowledge of water cycle, water and wastewater systems;
Numeracy NQF level 1;
Literacy NQF level 1;
Apply personal safety practices NQF level 2. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Work policies and procedures:
Best operating procedures.

Legislation:
OHS Act, Sludge Guidelines and National Water Act.

Composting equipment:
Manual or mechanical composting equipment.

Information:
Breakdowns, incidents, inspection.

Reports:
Temperature, moisture content, irregularities in the compost e.g. smells, flies, heat generated, etc.

Bulking agent:
Wood chips; grass cuttings: paper; garden refuge.

Sludge:
Raw sludge, belts press cake; drying beds. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Dewater sludge in accordance with work policies and procedures 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Sludge dewatering process is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Sludge dewatering process is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Use of dewatering chemicals is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Reasons for adding bulking agent are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Bulk to sludge ratios are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Method of mixing bulking agent and sludge is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Mixture is aerated and inverted at regular intervals. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Sample and monitor compost in accordance with work policies and procedures 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Moisture content of compost is tested and explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Temperature of compost is taken. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Methods of taking representative samples are demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Problems are identified and corrective action is explained and demonstrated. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Screen and cure compost 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Compost is screened to remove bulking agent. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Bulking agent is collected and piled for re-use. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Screened compost is cured. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Maintain and operate equipment at compost site in accordance with work policies and procedures 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Compost equipment is kept clean. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Broken equipment is reported. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Composting equipment is maintained in accordance with own scope of responsibility. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Comply with safety procedures at composting plant 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Safety procedures are maintained when handling sludge, bulking material and compost. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Safety procedures are explained and demonstrated when using composting equipment. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
Complete designated tasks and reports in accordance with work policies and procedures 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Designated tasks are completed. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Reports are completed and handed in to relevant person. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Relevant information is communicated. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation..
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Learners should have a knowledge and understanding of:
  • Categories of compost
  • The biological process of composting
  • Safety aspects when composting
  • Purpose of guidelines for the disposal of sludge and the consequences of non-compliance
  • Purpose and method for taking the temperature of compost 
    		•


    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.

    Assessment criteria:
  • Problems are identified and corrective action is explained and demonstrated. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community.

    Assessment criteria:
  • Composting equipment is mainteined in accordance with own scope of responsibility.
  • Designated tasks are completed. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively.

    Assessment criteria:
  • Reports are completed and handed in to relevant person.
  • Relevant information is communicated. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Assessment criteria:
  • Moisture content of compost is tested and explained.
  • Temperature of compost is taken.
  • Methods of taking representative samples are demonstrated.
  • Problems are identified and corrective action is explained and demonstrated.
  • Safety procedures are maintained when handling sludge, bulking material and compost.
  • Safety procedures are explained and demonstrated when using composting equipment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the form of oral and/or written presentation.

    Assessment criteria:
  • Moisture content of compost is tested and explained.
  • Problems are identified and corrective action is explained and demonstrated.
  • Relevant information is communicated. 
    		•

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

    Assessment criteria:
  • Safety procedures are maintained when handling sludge, bulking material and compost.
  • Safety procedures are explained and demonstrated when using composting equipment. 
    		•

    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.

    Assessment criteria:
  • None. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 254134, which is "Control composting process", Level 4, 4 credits.

    Integrated assessment:

    When conducting assessments, assessors must ensure that they are familiar with the full text of the unit standards being assessed. Assessors must ensure that the assessment covers the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge by developing assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the learners are working. These activities and tools may include self-assessment, peer assessment, formative and summative assessment. It may be more effective and efficient to assess a number of unit standards together in an integrated way, thus reducing the overall number of assessments and ensuring that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

    Assessment option:

    Learners could be assessed using the following methods:
    Oral or written questions
    Observation
    Product sample reports 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  22673   National Certificate: Wastewater Process Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2007-11-28  Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement 


    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.