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: 

Respond to emergencies in a process environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244085  Respond to emergencies in a process environment 
ORIGINATOR
Chemical Industries SGB 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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
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 who demonstrate competence as described in the outcomes of this unit standard will be able to respond to emergencies in chemical process operations.

The qualifying learner is able to:
  • Assess emergency conditions according to SOPs.
  • Evacuate all non-essential persons from the emergency area.
  • Respond to serious injury to personnel.
  • Contain the effect of the failure to minimise the threat to human life, equipment and the environment.
  • Return plant to normal operating conditions after a plant or service failure.
  • Complete post emergency functions.

    This will ensure that emergencies in a processing environment are handled in accordance with procedures and accepted work practices. This competence will enhance the learner's employability and career options in all occupations where knowledge of the response to emergencies in a process environment is needed. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Description of required skills:
  • National Certificate Chemical Operations NQF Level 2 or equivalent, including communication and mathematical literacy, NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Emergencies include, but are not limited to fire, explosion, uncontrolled release of liquid or gaseous chemical substance(s), injured persons and major plant or service failures (including electrical, water, instrument air failures).

    The context of this unit standard includes a complete process, from the point of receiving a commodity raw material to the point of supplying a commercially saleable product.

    The level assigned to this unit standard is appropriate because the process requires a wide range of cognitive skills and offers a considerable choice of solutions. A broad knowledge base incorporating some theoretical concepts, analytical interpretation of information, informed judgement and a range of sometime innovative responses to concrete but often unfamiliar problems are employed. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Assess emergency conditions according to SOPs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Immediate action is taken in accordance with SOPs on being notified of the emergency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information about the emergency is clearly communicated to all relevant parties. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information is conveyed to and received from the control room and team members.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Emergency conditions are assessed and communicated in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Maintenance and other personnel are assisted to perform emergency functions under safe conditions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Evacuate all non-essential persons from the emergency area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The requirements of the emergency evacuation plan are described in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Assembly points, safe rooms, procedures.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The emergency site is cleared of all non-essential staff, contractors and visitors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The safety of all non-essential staff, contractors and visitors is ensured in accordance with workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Instructions to evacuate are conveyed in a suitable manner to non-essential staff, contractors and visitors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Action is taken to direct non-essential staff, contractors and visitors along a safe route to assembly points. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Post-evacuation duties are performed according to the emergency evacuation plan. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Respond to serious injury to personnel. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The injury conditions are reported and assistance is requested in accordance with workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Further threats to self and the injured person are removed in accordance with workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The injured person's condition is assessed in accordance with company SOPs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Basic First Aid as indicated by company SOPs is used to stabilise the injured person's condition. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Basic First Aid includes but is not limited to stopping bleeding and applying C.P.R.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The necessary steps are taken to ensure the comfort of the injured person and to keep him/her calm. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Contain the effect of the failure to minimise the threat to human life, equipment and the environment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Failure includes electricity failure, instrument air failure, major mechanical failure, gas emission or liquid spillage.
    All actions are taken under direction or clearance of control room staff. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Plant conditions are assessed and communicated in accordance with workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Critical issues requiring immediate action are implemented after clearance from the control room. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The source of the problem is investigated with the assistance of team members. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Feedback is given to, and obtained from team members and the control room. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Results of the investigation are analysed to isolate the source of the problem. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    A best course of action is implemented after control room clearance/direction is given. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Return plant to normal operating conditions after a plant or service failure. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Failure includes electricity failure, instrument air failure, mechanical failure, gas emission or liquid spillage.
    All actions are taken under direction or clearance of the control room staff. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Plant and equipment is monitored to ensure that no new emergencies develop. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Corrective action necessary to prevent new emergencies from developing is implemented in accordance with plant SOPs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Maintenance and other service personnel are assisted to fulfil critical functions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The basic steps of a stabilisation plan based on SOPs are outlined by which the plant can either be restored to normal running conditions or shut down safely. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Corrective action to restore plant stability is implemented within the framework of SOPs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Deviations from the plant stabilisation plan are addressed effectively. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Monitoring and control of plant and equipment is continued until shutdown or normal running conditions are achieved. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Complete post emergency functions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    All plant and equipment affected by the emergency is returned to a safe condition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Maintenance and other service personnel are assisted to fulfil plant maintenance functions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Actions to restore good housekeeping conditions are implemented in accordance with workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    An incident report is timeously completed and submitted to plant management. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An assessor, accredited with a relevant NQF 3 Level or higher qualification, will assess the learner's competency.
  • Only an assessor with at least three years experience in a process operation will assess the learner's competency.
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an Assessor with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The qualifying learner understands and is able to:
  • Assess emergency conditions according to SOPs.
  • Evacuate all non-essential persons from the emergency area.
  • Respond to serious injury to personnel.
  • Contain the effect of the failure to minimise the threat to human life, equipment and the environment.
  • Return plant to normal operating conditions after a plant or service failure.
  • Complete post emergency functions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions, using critical and creative thinking, have been made.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Assess emergency conditions according to SOPs.
  • Evacuate all non-essential persons from the emergency area.
  • Respond to serious injury to personnel.
  • Contain the effect of the failure to minimise the threat to human life, equipment and the environment.
  • Return plant to normal operating conditions after a plant or service failure. 
    		•

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

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage himself and his activities responsibly and effectively.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 

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

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by using mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Assess emergency conditions according to SOPs.
  • Evacuate all non-essential persons from the emergency area.
  • Contain the effect of the failure to minimise the threat to human life, equipment and the environment.
  • Complete post emergency functions. 
    		•

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

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 

    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 
    Supplementary Information:

    Terms and definitions:
  • Standard operating procedures: The documented practice(s) defining the who, what, and when of quality activities. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  78528   National Certificate: Chemical Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Core  58537   National Certificate: Chemical Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2009-06-17  Was CHIETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  63349   National Certificate: Molten Glass Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CHIETA 
    Core  61971   National Certificate: Pulp and Paper Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  FPMSETA 


    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.