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: 

Administer first aid in the event of cyanide poisoning 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
260998  Administer first aid in the event of cyanide poisoning 
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  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 reflects the skills, values and knowledge required by people in the field of Mineral Processing who are responsible for administering first aid in the event of cyanide poisoning.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Prepare to administer first aid.
  • Administer first aid.
  • Complete the duties pertaining to the administering of first aid. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare to administer first aid in the event of cyanide poisoning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The administering of first-aid in the event of cyanide poisoning and the consequences of not adhering to the above are explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of the administering of first-aid in the event of cyanide poisoning is explained in terms of the consequences to individuals and the organisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The symptoms of cyanide poisoning are explained in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The antidotes required for the administering of first-aid to treat the different types of cyanide poisoning are identified and the potential effects on the patient are explained in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Types of cyanide poisoning must include:
  • Inhalation.
  • Ingestion.
  • Absorption through the skin.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Hazards and associated risks, pertaining to the administering of first-aid in the event of cyanide poisoning are identified through specified risk assessment procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The actions to be taken should hazards and risks be encountered are explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The location of first-aid equipment essential for the administering of first-aid is identified in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment must include:
  • First Aid equipment.
  • Personal protective and safety equipment.
  • Cyanide antidote.
  • Oxygen.
  • Hydrogen cyanide gas monitor.
  • Neutralizing reagents.
  • Hazchem information.
  • Communication equipment.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    First aid procedures pertaining to the various forms of cyanide poisoning are explained in terms of operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Contact details of the medical emergency response team are accessed in accordance with site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    Emergency procedures to be followed in the event of administering of first-aid are explained in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Emergency procedures must include:
  • First-aid treatment for cyanide poisoning.
  • Entry into confined spaces.
  • Evacuation procedure.
  • Spillage neutralizing and disposal.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
    The patient is prepared for treatment in accordance with operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Summon emergency services.
  • Remove patient from contaminated area.
  • Remove contaminated clothing.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 12 
    Personal protective and safety equipment is used in accordance with prescribed practices. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Administer first-aid. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal protective and safety equipment is used in accordance with prescribed practices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Cyanide antidote is administered in accordance with prescribed practices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The patient is stabilized and prepared for evacuation by medical personnel. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Any cyanide spillage in the area is neutralized and disposed of in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Problems encountered are dealt with in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Complete the duties pertaining to the administering of first aid. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal protective and safety equipment is dealt with in accordance with prescribed practices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The cyanide first aid kit is restocked in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Good housekeeping practices are maintained in accordance with plant policy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Information is recorded and reported in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the 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 embedded knowledge will be assessed in an integrated way in the context of the unit standard:

    Critical factors relating to cyanide first aid:
  • Legal and specified requirements.
  • Risk Assessment procedures and actions.
  • Identify the principal equipment required and explain the specification and their functions.
  • Specified communication requirements.
  • Cyanide antidote requirements.

    Processes and events:
  • Preparation.
  • Examination.
  • Cyanide first aid.

    Causes and effects (Safety and Health):
  • Use of personal protective equipment.
  • Workplace hazards and associated risks.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Methods of collecting, analysing, organising, summarising and presenting data.
  • Fault finding and corrective techniques.
  • First aid procedure.

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

    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 of the learner to identify symptoms of cyanide poisoning and take appropriate action. 

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

    Note: The ability of the learner to co-operate with other relevant role players in dealing with a case of cyanide poisoning. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage himself/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note: The ability of the learner to follow the relevant procedures in preparing for and administering the relevant first aid treatment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

    Note: The ability of the learner to communicate with the patient and other parties involved in order to establish the relevant facts and take the appropriate action. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Note: The learner understands that various role players are involved in dealing with an emergency situation and his own role 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 
    Terminology:

    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, 1996 (Act No. 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act No. 50/1991).
  • International Cyanide Code.
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.

    Site-Specific:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Cyanide supplier practices.
  • 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
    Elective  64889   Further Education and Training Certificate: Mineral Processing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.