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

Supervise a hazardous materials incident 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
260131  Supervise a hazardous materials incident 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Fire and Rescue 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Cleaning, Domestic, Hiring, Property and Rescue Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  14 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 unit standard has been designed for persons who are required to safely combat incidents involving hazardous materials. Learners achieving this unit standard will be provided with competencies required to gather, analyse and collate information relating to hazardous materials from the scene of an incident in order to identify and issue relevant response action.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Assess a hazardous materials incident.
  • Evaluate atmospheric monitoring and hazardous materials response equipment.
  • Predict likely behaviour of hazardous materials and the containers.
  • Determine an emergency response action.
  • Evaluate the response to a hazardous materials incident.
  • Terminate a hazardous materials incident. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner is already competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Assess a hazardous materials incident. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The equipment required for hazardous materials verification is determined in terms of the information on the storage and transportation vessels. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An inspection is conducted to verify the type of structure, integrity of the vessel and extent of the incident. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The amount of hazardous product is quantified and classified in terms of the corrective action to be taken. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Utilise atmospheric monitoring and hazardous materials response equipment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Hazardous materials response equipment refers to but is not limited to testing equipment, personal protective equipment and spill controlling equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Atmospheric monitoring equipment is described in terms if its uses and functions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Various types of equipment include but are not limited to gas meters, dosing meters, reagent tests strips, flammability and corrosiveness.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Monitoring equipment is used in accordance with its designed purpose for specific situations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment is tested and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Testing includes testing for limiting factors such as corrosiveness, solubility, miscibility, water reactivity, vapour pressure and state.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The type of hazard is interpreted to determine the appropriate response. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Personal protective equipment is used in accordance with manufacturer specifications and workplace procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Personal protective equipment refers to but is not limited to corrosive, thermal and atmospheric.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Hazardous material spill equipment is used in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hazardous material spill equipment includes but is not limited to leak sealing equipment, containment, environment control and decontamination.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Predict likely behaviour of hazardous materials and the containers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The effects of atmospheric conditions are explained in terms of their impact on the product. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effects of the product on the environment are explained in relation to the estimated size of the contaminated area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effects of the product on the container is evaluated in order to take corrective action. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Determine an emergency response action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Alternative plans to mitigate for specific incidents are developed for different action options. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different action options include but are not limited to potential offensive, defensive and non intervention action.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Personal protective equipment is selected to suit a specific incident. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Hazardous materials response equipment is selected to suit a specific incident. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A strategy is developed to decontaminate the responders, equipment and environment for a specific incident. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Evaluate the response to a hazardous materials incident. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The tactics used to mitigate the hazardous materials incident is evaluated in terms of its effectiveness within the overall strategy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Shortcomings relating to the response to a hazardous materials incident are explained and corrective measures are identified that will improve future responses. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Recommendations are made that will minimise reoccurrence of an incident. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Terminate a hazardous materials incident. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Decontamination and neutralisation methods are used to ensure safety of personnel, plant, equipment and the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Product removal and handover for scene rehabilitation is ensured so that the affected area is restored to its original status. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The impact of the operation is assessed in terms of public and environmental safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of keeping records of personnel and equipment as they enter and leave hazard control and decontamination zones is explained in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A report relating to the hazardous materials incident is collated for record keeping purposes and the conclusion of the incident. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Learners demonstrate knowledge of:
  • Chemicals.
  • Spillage.
  • Personal protective equipment.
  • Behaviour of hazardous materials.
  • Legislation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems related to hazardous materials incident by approaching the incident with care and caution through maintaining a safe distance to avoid accidental contamination. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team by providing assistance in obtaining samples of the hazardous materials and supervising the process in accordance with organisation's procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organize oneself and one's activities and responsibilities within the organisation's control plan relating to hazardous materials incident. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluating information on hazardous materials to determine an appropriate emergency responsive action in accordance with organisation's procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with other emergency personnel by providing relevant information on hazards and handling procedures for the identified substance(s) at the scene. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand the world as a set of related systems in that hazardous materials are dangerous and can contaminate individuals, community, animals and facilities and that safety handling guidelines and procedures are observed and implemented timeously to provide safety. 

    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  64390   National Certificate: Emergency Services Supervision: Fire and Rescue Operations  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  LG SETA 


    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.
     
    1. Goldfields Emergency Fire Services Training Academy 
    2. Josmap Training Institute 
    3. Mortarboard Training Solutions 
    4. Progressive School of Business and Engineering (Pty) 
    5. PTDEV (Pty) Ltd 
    6. Sebenzisanane Human Capital 
    7. South African Corporate Training Association 
    8. Tshwane Training Institute (PTY) LTD. 


    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.