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

Explain the management of fatigue in the workplace 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
260577  Explain the management of fatigue in the workplace 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Ancillary Health Care 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Preventive Health 
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 
This unit standard will be useful for learners involved in stressful situations, amongst others, shift work, heavy-duty vehicle and public transportation driving, piloting aircraft; public safety provision. It will assist them in understanding the physiological and psychological effects of fatigue.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Identifying and explaining the causes of fatigue.
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the prevention of fatigue.
  • Explaining how to cope with fatigue in a work situation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and explain the causes of fatigue. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The fundamental anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system is described in relation to the causes of fatigue. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system Includes, but is not limited to, control of brain, digestive system, renal system.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effects of specific medical conditions and prescribed medication are described in terms of the occurrence of fatigue. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Medical conditions include, but are not limited to, diabetes, hypertension, ageing and sleep, gender and sleep, anaemia, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, infections.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effects of alcohol, caffeine and illegal drugs are explained in terms of their effects on wakefulness and/or alertness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The implication of environmental conditions are discussed in relation to occupational health and safety. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Environmental conditions include, but are not limited to, working environment, shift work, type of work, over-time, work culture, noise, heat and personal circumstances.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The signs and symptoms of progressive fatigue are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the prevention of fatigue. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of maintaining the required level of energy is described in terms of balancing types and amounts of food intake with the type of work performed with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Food intake in relation to energy includes, but is not limited to, food types/groups; daily intake vs. energy output; possible menus and hydration status.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The need for both exercise and relaxation in terms of combating fatigue is explained in relation to the type of work performed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The need for sleep to maintain health is explained focusing on the consequences of insufficient sleep in the short and long term. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The determination of sleep includes, but is not limited to, the biological clock, circadian rhythm, sleeping patterns, quality and quantity of sleep, age and sleep, gender and sleep.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain how to cope with fatigue in a work situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Behavioural changes which could indicate the onset of chronic fatigue are noted and identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Behavioural changes include, but are not limited to, level of alertness, interest in work, diminishing interest in work, unusual tardiness, and fall in productivity, increasing irritability.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An examination of own lifestyle is made to identify possible root/cause of fatigue. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Discussions are held with the individual to try and identify the underlying cause of the behavioural change. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Sources of referral to assist a fatigued person are identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Referral sources include, but are not limited to, Employee Assistance Programmes, medical examinations, psychological counseling, alternative handling of shift work.
     


    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 
  • Current, relevant legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and agreements pertaining to occupational health and safety, conditions of employment, equity, labour relations, skills development, own organisational policies and procedures.
  • Fundamental anatomy and physiology of the endocrine, digestive and renal systems.
  • Biological Clock and Circadian rhythms.
  • Definition, causes, prevention and management of Fatigue. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems relating to the mechanisms of prevention and managing fatigue. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively and supporting of others as part of a team during shift work and accepted normal working hours. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organizing and managing oneself, colleagues and activities responsibly by preventing fatigue. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Using visual and language skills in communicating with others including referral services. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively with regard to information, communication and referral systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems with regard to the consequences of fatigue and the prevention of industrial accidents. 

    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 
    Credit Justification:

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcomes:

    Activity; Hours; Credits:
  • Classroom learning; 15 Hours; 1.5 Credits.
  • Scenario/Role play; 10 Hours; 1.0 Credits.
  • Self directed learning; 05 Hours; 0.5 Credits.

    Total: 30; 3 Credits. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  64769   National Certificate: Community Health Work  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  HW 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.
     
    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.