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: 

Identify, collect, classify and handle waste 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
12525  Identify, collect, classify and handle waste 
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 
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 
Learners working towards this standard will be learning towards the full qualification, or will be involved in or working within a cleaning services environment. Qualifying learners will be able to identify, categorize, handle and collect different types of waste 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 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 collects and handles waste.
2. Waste in the context of this unit standard includes, but is not limited to hazardous waste, recoverable waste, household waste, friction waste, process returns, effluents, liquid waste, emissions, medical and solid waste.
3. 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 THAT REFER TO ASSESSMENT CRITERIA IN THIS UNIT STANDARD

1. Recoverable waste includes, but is not limited to fine paper, polypropylene, uncured process waste, and unsoiled general waste, recyclable drums, untreated wooden pallets.
2. Non-recoverable waste includes, but is not limited to soiled household waste, cured process returns, toxic and hazardous waste.
3. Personal protective equipment and clothing includes, but is not limited to the appropriate footwear, clothing, leather aprons, gloves, masks or respirators, eye, hearing and face protection and hard hats.
4. Contamination of recoverable waste includes, but is not limited to soiling, excessive dampness, mixed freights.
5. Saving money from waste includes, but is not limited to recovering and returning re-usable parts / accessories on behalf of the client, limiting dumping and compacting of waste loads to save on transport and dumping costs.
6. Making money from waste refers to waste merchandising (the selling of recoverable waste).
7. The six factors determining the commercial value of waste are: grade, sorting, degree of soilage, type, moisture content and compaction. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Identify, categorize, collect and remove different kinds of waste. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Categorizes and collects waste in the workplace. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
Assessed according to worksite procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Lists the main categories of waste. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Gives examples of the different waste categories in the workplace. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Explains what kinds of waste are generated at the place of work. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Separates recoverable and non-recoverable waste. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
Assessed according to worksite procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Explains the safety and environmental rules applicable to waste. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
Assessed according to worksite procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Explains the difference between recoverable and non-recoverable waste. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Handles and collects hazardous and non-hazardous waste. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
Assessed according to worksite procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9. Explains the difference between hazardous and non-hazardous waste. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
10. Follows the correct reporting procedure when seeing hazardous waste. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
Assessed according to worksite procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
11. Uses the appropriate personal protective equipment / clothing (PPE) in terms of OSH Act requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 12 
12. Explains the importance of selecting and wearing the correct PPE. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Sort and store waste on site. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Separates the waste. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
Assessed according to worksite procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Explains the waste sorting procedures in place on the site. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Places the different types of waste into the correct containers. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
Assessed according to worksite procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Follows the security guidelines and reports any irregularities. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Explains why it is necessary to follow the security rules in force on the site. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Cleans up his / her workplace. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
Assessed according to worksite procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Explains the main differences in containerizing hazardous and non-hazardous waste. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Demonstrate an understanding of the economics applicable to recoverable waste. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Takes care not to contaminate waste loads. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Compacts the waste. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Explains why waste must be compacted. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Protects his/her waste from loss or damage. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Secures the waste. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Names the six factors that affect the commercial value of recoverable waste. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Explains why waste containers must be secured. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Explains how money can be saved for the client by collecting, sorting and recycling waste. 


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
10. External 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, categorize, collect and remove different kinds of waste.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the economics applicable to recoverable waste. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community. Evident in:
  • Identify, categorize, collect and remove different kinds of waste.
  • Sort and store waste on site.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the economics applicable to recoverable waste. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively Evident in:
  • Identify, categorize, collect and remove different kinds of waste.
  • Sort and store waste on site. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation. Evident in:
  • Sort and store waste on site. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. Evident in:
  • Identify, categorize, collect and remove different kinds of waste.
  • Sort and store waste on site.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the economics applicable to recoverable waste. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    In order to 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, categorize, collect and remove different kinds of waste.
  • Sort and store waste on site.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the economics applicable to recoverable waste. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    When assessing against this unit standard, the assessor should be familiar with the contents of:
    1. The employer company and client company`s waste management strategy / policy.
    2. Occupational Health and Safety Act no. 85 of 1993 in general.
    3. A copy of the constitution (South Africa Act no. 2000 of 1993)
    4. The Development Facilitation Act no. 67 of 1995.
    5. The Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1989 together with the following Government Gazettes: GN 986 (of 24/8/1990 ito. s1), GN 51 (general environmental policy of 21.1.1994 ito. s2) GN 449 (of 9/5/1994 ito. s2), GN R879 (of 31.5.1995 ito. s21), GN R881 (of 31/5/1996 ito s21), Regulation 1182 (of 5/9/1997 ito s21), Regulation 1183 (of 5/9/1997 ito. s26 and s28.)
    6. The Hazardous Substances Act 15 of 1973 together with Government Gazettes GN R452 (of 25/3/1977 ito. s2 (1)), GN R2825 (of 21/12/1984 ito. s2 (1) GN R73 (of 11/1/1985) ito. s29 (1)), GN R1302 (of 14/6/1991 ito. s (2) (1)).
    7. Health Act no 63 of 1977 - in general.
    8. National Environmental Management Act no 107 of 1998
    9. Draft White Paper on Integrated pollution and waste management for South Africa, August 1998.

    Please note that the above is subject to change - in terms of statutory requirements it is important that the information is correct and up to date. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  36233   National Certificate: Specialist Hygiene and Cleaning Services  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  23853   GETC: Domestic Services  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  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.