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

Act as the Safety Watcher during the performance of maintenance activities 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244088  Act as the Safety Watcher during the performance of maintenance activities 
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  3 
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 act as the Safety Watcher during the performance of maintenance activities in a chemical processing plant.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Understand the role and functions of the Safety Watcher.
  • Prepare for chemical safety as part of safety watcher duties in a process area.
  • Enforce the work permit system.
  • Monitor the working environment with gas testing equipment as required by the work permit.

    This will ensure that the Safety Watcher's duties during maintenance in a processing operation are performed 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 Safety Watcher's duties 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 
    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 
    Understand the role and functions of the Safety Watcher. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of the safety watcher is explained in accordance to the OSH Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different responsibilities of the safety watcher are described in accordance to workplace safety policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Relevant sections of the OHS Act are explained as applicable to process operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    General safety rules applicable to a process plant are explained in accordance to workplace safety procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The range of safety rules may include but are not limited to road safety, clothing, PPE, smoking, housekeeping, incident reports, safety notices and signs, items prohibited in a process plant, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Safety requirements specific to own process area are explained according to standard operating and workplace safety procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Evacuation procedures are explained in accordance with SOPs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Good shift handover practice is applied under conditions when work under a work permit is incomplete. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare for chemical safety as part of safety watcher duties in a process area. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Preparations should be made for safety watcher duties in a process area where both chemical and other hazards exist. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The layout, equipment and safety areas of the process are explained with the assistance of a plot plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sections in all MSDSs relevant to the safety watcher function are identified in terms of their applicability to the process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The risks associated with chemicals used in the process are explained in accordance with the relevant MSDS. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The safe handling of chemicals used in the process is explained and demonstrated in accordance with workplace safety procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Risks and safe working methods associated with x-rays used to verify welding quality is explained in accordance with workplace safety procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The use of a range of safety equipment is explained and demonstrated in accordance with workplace safety procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The range of safety equipment should include but is not limited to respiratory protection equipment, airline masks, gas masks and respirators, SCBA sets, protective clothing, head protection equipment, hearing-, eye/face-, hand- and foot protection equipment.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Enforce the work permit system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principles of the work permit system are explained as per OSH Act and workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different types of work permits are listed and described as per workplace procedures and policies. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Permit types include hot work (open flame) permits, cold work permits (including scaffolding and roof clearances) and permits for working in confined spaces.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The responsibility of the Safety Watcher regarding the safety of workers under work permit conditions is explained according to workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Conditions when a work permit has to be withdrawn are explained as per OSH Act and workplace procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Monitor the working environment with gas testing equipment as required by the work permit. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The requirements of the work permit are explained in accordance with workplace safety procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Methods of gas monitoring are explained in accordance with workplace safety procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Calibration and zero check of testing equipment are demonstrated in accordance with workplace safety procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Representative gas sampling methods are demonstrated in accordance with workplace safety procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Monitoring of the working environment with gas testing equipment is demonstrated in accordance with workplace safety procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Gas levels as displayed on the monitor are interpreted in accordance with workplace safety procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An assessor, accredited with a relevant NQF Level 3 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:
  • Understand the role and functions of the Safety Watcher.
  • Prepare for chemical safety as part of safety watcher duties in a process area.
  • Enforce the work permit system.
  • Monitor the working environment with gas testing equipment as required by the work permit. 
    		•

    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 by:
  • Work permit risks are identified and addressed.
  • Identify conditions when a work permit has to be withdrawn.
  • Explaining the risks associated with chemicals used in the process.
  • Representative gas sampling must be done under non-ideal conditions.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Prepare for chemical safety as part of safety watcher duties in a process area.
  • Understand the role of the safety watcher in enforcing the work permit system.
  • Monitor the working environment with gas testing equipment as required by the work permit. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community by:
  • Maintaining sound relations with maintenance team.
  • Taking responsibility for the safety of others.

    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 by:
  • Correctly interpreting the basic information on the MSDS.

    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 during:
  • Reading and interpreting MSDS to ensure safety in the workplace.
  • Communicating effectively in the work environment regarding MSDS.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Understanding the applications of the MSDS.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    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.

    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:
  • Chemical substance: A chemical substance is any material substance used in or obtained by a process in chemistry. It can be an element, a compound, or a mixture thereof.
  • Hazard: A potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon or human activity that may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.
  • Hazardous: Hazardous means potentially dangerous, unpredictable and harmful.
  • Inhalation: The act of inhaling or breathing air or vapours into the lungs.
  • Ingestion: The act of taking a liquid or solid substance into the body by the mouth.
  • Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): A MSDS is designed to provide both workers and emergency personnel with the proper procedures for handling or working with a particular substance. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  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 
    Elective  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 
    Elective  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.
     
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    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.