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: 

Perform activities to support a metal production process 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
259721  Perform activities to support a metal production process 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Manufacturing and Assembly Processes 
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 2  NQF Level 02  20 
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 
This is the main function of any individual who will perform a supporting function in the metal production environment. There are a number of contexts in which the learner can operate; the competencies the learner will acquire through this standard will be determined by the workplace the learner wishes to enter. The time it will take a learner to acquire the competencies to operate the different machines in his/her context within the metal production environment will depend on the type of equipment a learner will need to operate and the context. A learner should also know that some of the equipment is very expensive and correct operation is very important.

Learners credited with this standard will be able to:
  • Operate production equipment that supports the production process.
  • Communicate with process control personnel and maintenance specialist.
  • Work safely with due care for self, fellow workers, equipment, materials and the environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 1.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1.
  • New Unit Standard: Plan support activities in a metal production process. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This serves as a general guide to the scope, context conditions, and level at which learners are expected to perform.

    In this unit standard, the learner is required to utilise equipment and consumables to perform activities and functions that support the manufacturing process.
    This Unit Standard is designed for learners learning and working in a particular process within a specific metals production environment, for example:
  • For iron and steel, these may include iron making, the direct reduction process, coke making, steel making and refining, liquid metal casting, steel reheating and hot working, steel cold working, steel cold processing and product coating.
  • For aluminium, these may include the direct reduction process, liquid metal casting, anode making, anode baking, anode rodding, briquette making, aluminium reheating and hot working, aluminium cold working, and gas, fumes and bath treatment.
  • For copper, these may include the electrolysis, direct reduction process, copper refining, liquid metal casting, copper hot working, copper cold working.
  • For graphite, these may include mill mixing and forming, baking, pitch impregnation, graphitising, machining.
  • For platinum, chrome and manganese, these may include tapping, metal casting, electrode joining, slag tapping, paste handling and baking. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Operate production equipment that supports the production process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Supporting equipment is operated according to standard operating procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment is checked during operation and minor adjustments are made or referred to maintenance personnel according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Material flow and consumption of consumables are monitored and deviations are rectified to maintain efficiency of the production process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Support activities related to the production process are performed according to process requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Equipment is shutdown, cleaned and stored after use to save costs and ensure longevity in terms of use. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Communicate with process control personnel and maintenance specialists. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Changes and/or deviations during operation of equipment are identified and reported according to standard operating procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Problems pertaining to production are reported as soon as possible to maintain the production process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Problems include but are not limited to operation, output, health and safety, quality and risks.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information related to work schedules, activities and equipment supporting the metal production process is explained to ensure continuous operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information includes incidents, sequence of activities, issues of quality.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Work safely with due care for self, fellow workers, equipment, materials and the environment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Mobile equipment, molten metal, dust, noise, gas, poor visibility, heat, uneven and slippery surfaces, hazardous chemical substances, spillages, fumes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazardous conditions are identified and reported to appropriate personnel so that the risks can be eliminated or minimised. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Hazardous material are identified and managed according to standard operating procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment and materials are used according to instructions to eliminate danger to self and fellow workers. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment includes personal protective equipment.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A safe working environment is maintained at all times to prevent injury or loss of life. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Environmental protection procedures and policies are applied to ensure safety within the production context and beyond. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names and functions of:
  • Support processes.
  • Equipment.
  • Consumables.
  • Materials.
  • Production machinery and its component parts.
  • Safety equipment.

    Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties:
  • Supporting activities and functions.
  • Types of defects/faults.
  • Properties input materials and consumables.

    Sensory cues:
  • Cues for different defects (what I see, hear, smell, feel), e.g. smell or appearance of degrading or burning materials, sounds made by faulty equipment or changing process conditions, visual cues to changing process conditions.

    Purpose of:
  • Pre-operational checks on equipment.
  • Supporting activities and functions.
  • Quality checks and procedures.
  • Safety checks.
  • Reporting incidents and conditions.
  • Liaising with process control personnel.
  • Cleaning and storing.
  • Production schedules.

    Processes, events, causes and effects, implications:
  • Implications of non-conformance.
  • Causes and responses to safety, quality, operations, output and maintenance.
  • Basic manufacturing process and sequence operation.
  • Implications and consequences of situations such as, e.g. poor quality, damaged or faulty equipment, allowing faulty processes to continue, delaying reports about changing conditions.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Equipment operating procedures.
  • Checking and monitoring procedures.
  • Communication procedures.
  • Recording and reporting procedures.
  • Quality and safety procedures.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
  • Applicable safety, health and environmental protection legislation and standards.

    Theory: rules, principles, laws:
  • Concepts of quality assurance related to this activity.
  • Basic scientific principles related to the process, the materials and the product, e.g. heat, change of state, mechanical movement, wear, hardness.

    Relationships, systems:
  • The balance between production and cost reduction on the one hand, and quality and customer satisfaction on the other. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Monitoring material flow and consumption of consumables and making adjustments. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community to:
  • Ensure that production process runs smoothly and efficiently. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively when:
  • Interpreting production schedules.
  • Checking consumables, equipment and tools.
  • Operating equipment.
  • Monitoring material flow and consumption of consumables and making adjustments. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to:
  • Solve problems by making adjustments.
  • Deal with changes and deviations. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation to:
  • Ensure a smooth production process. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others by:
  • Using the equipment according to manufacturer's instructions. 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  64189   National Certificate: Metals Production  Level 2  NQF Level 02  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.