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: 

Determine the pH of a liquid by means of a pH meter 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
256617  Determine the pH of a liquid by means of a pH meter 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Mining and Minerals 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
9636  Determine the pH of a liquid by means of a pH meter  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful for learners who are required to determine the pH of liquids by means of a pH meter.

This unit standard is intended to promote general skills and knowledge of determining the pH of liquids in the mining and minerals sector.

Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate and apply knowledge relating to occupational health, safety and environment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge relating to pH determinations.
  • Determine the pH of a liquid.
  • Explain or deal with problems relating to pH determinations. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 2.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate and apply knowledge relating to occupational health and safety in the work environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazards and risks pertaining to the process are identified and explained with reference to health and safety and environmental impact in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Identified risks must include:
  • Hazardous sample material.
  • Waste disposal.
  • Hazardous chemicals.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The appropriate preventive actions are described in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Personal protective and safety equipment required are examined, verified and used in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The work is conducted to meet health, safety and environmental standards in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Health, safety and environmental issues must include:
  • Housekeeping.
  • Waste disposal.
  • Storage.
  • The control of dust and spillage.
  • Personal Hygiene.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of non-compliance with specified requirements are explained with respect to personal and team health and safety and impact on the environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge relating to pH determination. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The basic principle of pH determination is explained with reference to the concepts of acidity and alkalinity. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principles must include:
  • pH scale.
  • pH - pOH relationships.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principal components of the equipment are identified and their primary functions are described in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Components must include:
  • Electrodes.
  • Display System.
  • Stirring Device.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The impact of sample preservation and storage are explained with reference to maintaining sample integrity and obtaining meaningful results. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The purpose of the determination is explained in terms of customer requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Calculate and determine the pH of a liquid. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The calibration standards are verified and are appropriate with respect to the pH range for the particular sample solutions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The pH instrument is calibrated in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Acidity.
  • Alkalinity.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The samples are identified and verified in accordance with operational requirements and quality control procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The pH is measured in accordance with operational requirements and quality control procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Data is recorded and the results reported in accordance with operational requirements and within agreed turnaround times. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Electrodes are maintained in accordance with operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain or deal with problems relating to pH determination. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Common problems are identified, explained and/or dealt with in terms of their effect on the process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Problems must include:
  • Faulty electrodes.
  • Contamination.
  • Instrumental faults.
  • Incorrect calibration.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate preventative or corrective actions are described in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The work is conducted in a manner that prevents problems relating to a smooth flow of work throughout the process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Problems relating to production, costs, lost time and turnaround time for analytical results are identified, explained and dealt with in accordance with operational requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with 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, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated Unit Standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following essential embedded knowledge will be addressed in an integrated manner in the unit standard:

    Knowledge relating to determining the pH of a liquid by means of a pH meter:
  • Basic principle of pH determination.
  • Principal components of the equipment.
  • Impact of sample preservation and storage are explained.
  • Purpose of the determination.
  • Calibration of equipment.

    Critical factors and functions relating to the process:
  • Safety, health and risk management requirements.
  • Achieving specified production requirements.
  • Emergency procedures.
  • Security requirements.
  • Specified communication requirements.

    Processes and events:
  • Process flow and interlock systems.
  • Factors affecting the performance of the process.

    Causes and effects (Safety and Health):
  • Use of personal protective equipment.
  • Use of tools and equipment.
  • Condition of safety devices.
  • Utilisation of process equipment and consumables.
  • Workplace hazards and associated risks.
  • Effective communication.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Methods of collecting and analysing, organising, summarising and presenting data.
  • Fault finding and correction technique.
  • Quality related procedures.
  • Operating procedure.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies and standards:
  • Safety, health and environmental legislation and regulations.
  • Quality policies, standards and agreements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner's ability to work to high levels of accuracy and inconsistency will contribute to the overall performance of the laboratory team. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner's ability to keep accurate records and make accurate entries into the relevant log sheets. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner's ability to follow work procedures closely, adhering meticulously to relevant procedures when determining the pH of a liquid by means of a pH meter. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner's ability to use and interact with technologically advanced procedures and equipment in a modern laboratory environment when determining the pH of a liquid by means of a pH meter. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is aware that in the mining (refining) industry various systems are dependent on each other, and accepts responsibility in that regard. 

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 9636, "Determine the pH of a liquid by means of a pH meter", Level 3, 2 credits.

    Terminology:

    Specified Requirements:

    Specified requirements include legal and site-specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:

    Legal:
  • Relevant Acts: e.g. Mine Health & Safety Act and Regulations and Minerals Act and Regulations.
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives/Instructions.
  • Guidelines issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines.

    Site Specific:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • Voluntary Codes of Practice.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks.
  • Working Guides.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  90656   National Certificate: Mine Ventilation  Not Applicable  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  64949   National Certificate: Laboratory Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  64950   Further Education and Training Certificate: Laboratory Analysis  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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.