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: 

Prepare and set up a bench for polishing diamond gemstones 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
260417  Prepare and set up a bench for polishing diamond gemstones 
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 4  NQF Level 04  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
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
10515  Prepare and set up a bench for polishing diamond gemstones  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is useful for people who intend following a career in the diamond processing sector and who are required to prepare and set up a bench in order to polish diamond gemstones.

Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Identify the equipment and tools required to prepare and set up a bench for polishing, crossworking or brillianteering diamond gemstones and describe their application.
  • Set up and align a bench and a scaiffe.
  • Conduct post-prepare and set up activities.

    The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for socio-economic transformation and contribute to the upliftment and economic growth of the mining and minerals sector, particularly in the aspect of beneficiation.

    This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and understanding of the diamond processing industry in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Level tangs for crossworking or brillianteering.
  • Prepare a scaiffe for crossworking or brillianteering. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The scope and context applies to the conversion of rough diamond gemstones into cut and polished diamond gemstones for sale into local and international markets.

    This unit standard applies to persons preparing and setting up a bench under minimal supervision. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify the equipment and tools required to prepare and set up a bench for polishing, crossworking or brillianteering diamond gemstones and describe their application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The equipment and tools required to prepare and set up a bench for polishing, crossworking or brillianteering diamond gemstones are identified and their functions are described in terms of key features, applications and methods for use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of ensuring that the bench, scaiffe, sleigh and tangs are level is explained in relation to the polishing, crossworking or brillianteering of diamond gemstones. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Practices are explained to maintain good housekeeping, occupational health and safety in the workplace and care of equipment in line with workplace specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequence of deviating from workplace specific practices are described in terms of potential impact on occupational health and safety, equipment, products and productivity. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Set up and align a bench and a scaiffe. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment is selected and applied according to required standards of occupational health and safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The bench and scaiffe to be used are checked to ensure they are level. Remedial action is taken to ensure bench and scaiffe are level in line with workplace specific procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Learners must demonstrate the ability to prepare either spindle or non-spindle types of scaiffe.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The drive mechanism is checked to provide a constant revolution of the scaiffe without undue vibration. Remedial action is taken, where necessary, in accordance with workplace specific procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Sleighs are set level to the scaiffe and their height checked in accordance with workplace procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Conduct post prepare and set up activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The levelled bench, scaiffe and tangs are signed off for operation in accordance with workplace specific procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Housekeeping is exercised after preparing and setting up in accordance with workplace procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Good housekeeping must include:
  • Clean the workplace of dust and lose particles.
  • Replace tools and equipment into correct storage facilities.
  • Return any equipment needing maintenance to the appropriate workshop/facility.
  • Maintenance of personal protective clothing and equipment.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The setup bench is reported and handed over for operation in accordance with workplace specific procedures. 


    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 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 unit standard 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 with 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.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard 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 embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard.

    Knowledge relating to the properties of a polishing bench:
  • Understanding the various components of a polishing bench.
  • The interdependence of the components in making the bench suitable for polishing.
  • Importance of equipment being level for polishing, crossworking or brillianteering.
  • Appreciating the activities of polishing, crossworking or brillianteering that can influence the levels of equipment.
  • Awareness of the damage to a diamond that can be caused by equipment that is not level.

    Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental issues:
  • Significant hazards and risks related to gemstone processing, their consequences and mitigating actions.
  • Safety measures related to diamond processing.
  • PPE requirements and the reason for each.
  • Impact on the environment and mitigating actions.
  • Emergency procedures.

    Legislative and structural environment:
  • Importance of adherence to health and safety requirements during processing.
  • Importance of care and maintenance of tools and equipment.
  • Codes of practice.

    Communication:
  • Reporting requirements and ability.
  • Communicating with relevant personnel.
  • Liaison between personnel in various functions.
  • Understanding appropriate terminology. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

    Note:
  • The ability to take remedial action when the levels of the equipment are not suitable and take appropriate remedial action. 
    		•

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

    Note:
  • The ability and willingness of the learner to interact with other members in the workplace to acquire information and insight about operations. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note:
  • The ability to collect and collate information in order to understand why benches and associated equipment are not set up and level for polishing, crossworking or brillianteering and to use that information to adjust the equipment. 
    		•

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

    Note:
  • The ability to explain the requirement preparing and setting up a bench for polishing indicates the ability to analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. 
    		•

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

    Note:
  • The ability to apply fundamental concepts of science to be able to prepare and set up and adjust a bench for polishing, crossworking or brillianteering. 
    		•

    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 10515, "Prepare and set up a bench for polishing diamond gemstones", Level 2, 6 credits.

    Terminology:

    Specified Requirements:

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

    Legal:
  • The Bargaining Council for the Diamond Cutting Industry Main Agreement.
  • Regulations of the Diamonds Act, No 56 of 1986, as amended.
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85/1993).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • The glossary of terms about the terminology of the industry issued by the Bargaining Council for the Diamond Cutting Industry.

    Site-specific:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Working Guides, tariff agreements, policies and procedures.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications.

    Justification for Number of Specific Outcomes:

    This standard represents a critical activity in the crossworking or brillianteering of diamond gemstones. The competence needs to be acquired for the learner to be able to participate effectively in other gemstone processing activities. The requirements of this standard can be attained in three specific outcomes and it is not appropriate to combine this learning with other standards. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  64729   Further Education and Training Certificate: Diamond Processing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  78843   National Certificate: Diamond Processing  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 


    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.