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

Determine the mass of a substance 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9625  Determine the mass of a substance 
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 2  NQF Level 02  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
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 is for persons required to determine the mass of a substance. A person credited with this unit standard can:
  • Demonstrate knowledge relating to the determination of mass.
  • Determine the mass of substance. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Ability to read and write at ABET Level 3 or equivalent.
    Proficiency in number recognition and sequencing. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This unit standard will be applicable for determining mass in a laboratory environment. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge relating to the determination of mass. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Hazards and risks pertaining to the process are identified and explained in terms of team safety, health and environmental issues. The appropriate preventative measures are described in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Procedures for securing samples and equipment against loss are explained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The types of the mass determining equipment are identified and their applications explained in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment must include:
  • Analytical balance
  • Top-pan balance
  • Platform scale
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Factors affecting mass determination are explained in terms of their influence on accuracy and precision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The use of appropriate ancillary equipment is explained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The methods of determining mass are explained .in terms of direct weighing and weighing by difference. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The consequences of non-compliance with specified requirements are explained with respect to personal and team health and safety, impact on the environment, production, costs and lost time. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Determine the mass of a substance. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Must include the use of the following
  • Analytical balance
  • Top-pan balance
  • Platform scale 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The equipment to be used is identified, verified and maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Maintenance and verification must include
  • Cleanliness
  • Calibration
  • Operating conditions
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The method selected is suited to the nature and quantity of substance and the mass is determined in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Common errors and their effect on the determination are explained and /or dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Common errors must include:
  • Contamination
  • Instability
  • Nature of the substance
  • Spillage
  • Lack of environmental control
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Data is processed in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Work is conducted to meet health, safety and environmental standards in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Health, safety and environmental issues must include:
  • Housekeeping
  • Waste disposal
  • Storage
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.

    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Incorporated into the assessment criteria. 

    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 candidate to identify technical problems, sub-standard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: The candidate is required to maintain the link in the process in order to achieve production, health, safety and environmental targets. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The candidate is required to prioritize and integrate the various activities in order to meet the set targets. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to collect and evaluate information from numerical data and/or physical observations in terms of specified requirements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written presentations.
  • Note: The candidate is required to accurately and clearly convey information to relevant personnel. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: The candidate is required to use equipment responsibly to avoid environmental pollution and to safeguard team health. 
    		•

    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 candidate is aware of his/her role in the organization in terms of social, economic and environmental impact. 
    		•

    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

    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)
  • Regulations
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice
  • SABS and other Standards
  • Chief Inspector of Mines` Directives

    Site Specific
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA)
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme
  • Voluntary Codes of Practice
  • Managerial Instructions
  • 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
    Core  58248   National Certificate: Laboratory Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2008-08-05  MQA 
    Core  64949   National Certificate: Laboratory Practice  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.
     
    1. Anglo American Platinum Amendelbult Concentrators 
    2. Anglo American Platinum Limited 
    3. DEI GRATIA TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT SOLUTION 
    4. ERGO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY NPC 
    5. EXXARO COAL (PTY) LTD 
    6. IMPALA PLATINUM SERVICES LTD 
    7. KUMBA IRON ORE (SISHEN) 
    8. Kumba Sishen HRD Centre 
    9. METSKILL PTY LTD 
    10. MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD 
    11. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    12. Rustenburg Base Metals Refiners 
    13. XTRACT TRAINING SERVICES (SA)(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.