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: 

Understand basic cleaning principles and perform basic cleaning tasks 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
12520  Understand basic cleaning principles and perform basic cleaning tasks 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Hygiene & Cleaning Services 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Personal Care 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 1  NQF Level 01  6 
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 
A learner working towards this standard will be learning towards the full qualification, or will be involved in or working within a cleaning services environment. The learner will understand the basic principles of cleaning and be able to perform basic cleaning tasks within 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 an ABET Level 1 Com 101 standard and/or any other communication skill that will enable him/her to confirm the knowledge and skills required by this unit standard. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
1. The scope of this unit standard is for any person who is starting a career in the cleaning industry.
2. The level assigned to this unit standard is appropriate because the process is limited in range, very repetitive and familiar, no generation of new ideas are needed and the person has no responsibility for the learning of others.

RANGE STATEMENTS WHICH REFER TO ASSESSMENT CRITERIA IN THIS UNIT STANDARD

1. Components of cleaning include: staff, chemicals, equipment, consumables, start and finish times.
2. Chemicals include but are not limited to: neutral detergent, acid and alkaline-based detergents, disinfectants, degreasers.
3. Equipment includes but is not limited to: manual-sweeping equipment, mopping equipment, vacuum cleaners.
4. Consumables include but are not limited to: mop heads, cloths, sponges, spray bottles, buckets.
5. Specifications include but are not limited to: how, where and when to clean.
6. Standards in the context of this unit standard relates to work sites procedures, legislation, and what the product should look like when finished. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Identify the components of cleaning. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. States the five components of cleaning. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Explains the purpose and duties of staff in the cleaning industry. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Names three basic types of chemicals and their use. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Explains what is meant by equipment and how and where it will be used. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Explains what is meant by consumables and where and how these will be used. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Explains why the work needs to start and finish within a certain time limit. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Get the information needed to do the job that s/he will be paid for. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Asks what cleaning s/he will have to do. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Explains why s/he must know what the cleaning job includes. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Asks what the specifications, standards and cleaning programme are. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Explains why the specifications standards and cleaning program are so important. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Asks about the shifts or hours to be worked. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Explains why s/he should know the hours/shift to be worked. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Asks what the rate of pay will be. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Explains why the rate of pay must be agreed upon. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Prepare for cleaning. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Has the appropriate equipment for the task. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Lists the equipment needed for the task. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Explains why the equipment used is appropriate for the task. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Has the correct type of chemicals required for the task. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Names the chemicals needed for the task. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Explains why the chemicals are correct for the type of soilage to be cleaned. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Has the correct consumables needed for the task. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Names the consumables needed for the task. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9. Explains what each consumable is used for. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
10. Is equipped with the appropriate safety clothing, where required, for the task. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
11. Explains why safety clothing and equipment are needed / not needed for the task. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 12 
12. Explains who to contact if something goes wrong, or if s/he has questions or need to report something. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Apply the principles of cleaning. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Cleans from the furthest end of the area towards the door. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Explains why one must clean from the furthest end of the area towards the door. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Cleans from the top to the bottom. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Explains why one must clean from the top to the bottom. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. First completes dry cleaning before wet cleaning starts. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Explains why one must first complete dry cleaning before wet cleaning starts. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Uses a cleaning cloth folded into squares. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Explains what the benefit is of folding cleaning cloths into squares. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9. Cleans in terms of the parameters of the things to be cleaned. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
10. Explains the benefits of cleaning in terms of parameters. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Perform end of shift duties. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Collects, removes the dirt and rubbish, and throws it away. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Inspects his/her work before packing equipment away. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Explains why s/he must check the work. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Cleans equipment and checks whether it is still working before taking it to the store. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Explains why equipment must be cleaned and checked every day. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Reports things that are not working. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Explains why things that are not working must be reported and to whom. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Checks whether s/he has enough chemicals and consumables for the next shift's work. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9. Explains what s/he must do if there is not enough chemicals / consumables for the next shift. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
10. Hands over to the next shift or lock /secures the area. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
11. Explains why there should be a hand over / why area should be locked. 


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. In assessing against this unit standard, the assessor must refer to:
Worksite procedures.
Work procedures (Industry procedure).
10. External Moderation
11. Internal Moderation 

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
On completion the learner can understand and apply knowledge as described in the assessment criteria of all the outcomes. 


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:
  • Identify the components of cleaning.
  • Get the information needed to do the job that s/he will be paid for.
  • Prepare for cleaning.
  • Apply the principles of cleaning.
  • Perform end of shift duties. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community. Evident in:
  • Get the information needed to do the job that s/he will be paid for.
  • Apply the principles of cleaning. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively. Evident in:
  • Identify the components of cleaning.
  • Get the information needed to do the job that s/he will be paid for.
  • Prepare for cleaning.
  • Apply the principles of cleaning.
  • Perform end of shift duties. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation. Evident in:
  • Get the information needed to do the job that s/he will be paid for.
  • Apply the principles of cleaning. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by. Evident in:
  • Identify the components of cleaning.
  • Get the information needed to do the job that s/he will be paid for.
  • Prepare for cleaning.
  • Apply the principles of cleaning.
  • Perform end of shift duties. 
    		•

    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:
  • Identify the components of cleaning.
  • Get the information needed to do the job that s/he will be paid for.
  • Prepare for cleaning.
  • Apply the principles of cleaning.
  • Perform end of shift duties. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    DEFINITION OF TERMS WITHIN THIS UNIT STANDARD

    1. Rate of Pay: What you are paid per hour or per day.
    2. Shifts: Hours to be worked as set by employer based on the customer contract.
    3. Cleaning in parameters: Cleaning in terms of parameters refers to the shape of the object to be cleaned. For example, if you are cleaning a square desk, you will clean in squares and lines. The idea is to use as few movements as possible, and not to go over the same areas again.
    4. Folding the cloth in squares: To get the optimum surface use out of a cleaning cloth the method generally applied is to fold the cloth into squares and to clean with one square at a time. The cloth is turned over to use the inside squares as well. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  23853   GETC: Domestic Services  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Core  20173   National Certificate: Hygiene and Cleaning  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2007-02-21  Was SERVICES 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.