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: 

Determine the pH of a liquid by means of a pH meter 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9636  Determine the pH of a liquid by means of a pH meter 
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  2 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2004-12-02  2007-12-02  SAQA 1657/04 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-12-02   2011-12-02  

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 is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
256617  Determine the pH of a liquid by means of a pH meter  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for persons who are responsible for determining the pH of liquids.
A person credited with this unit standard is able to
  • Demonstrate knowledge relating to pH determinations; and
  • Determine the pH of a liquid. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Sciences, Communications and Mathematics at ABET Level 4
  • Performance of measurements using volumetric equipment
  • Laboratory health, safety, and environmental standards
  • Proficiency at preparing sample solutions in liquid form for instrumental analysis
  • Computer literacy 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

    Applicable to the fusion of material, containing precious metals, that has already been fluxed. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Taking representative samples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. That the personal protective, safety and lockout equipment is used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. That tools and equipment are used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. That representative samples are taken in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. That the work is conducted to meet sampling, security, safety, health and environmental standards in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Safety, health and environmental issues must include
  • housekeeping;
  • waste disposal; and
  • storage. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. That data are recorded and processed in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. That the samples are processed and forwarded to the next processing step in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrating knowledge relating to pH determinations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. That hazards and risks pertaining to pH determinations are identified and explained with reference to team health and safety and environmental impact, and that the appropriate preventative measures are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hazards and risks must include:
  • hazardous sample material;
  • waste disposal; and
  • hazardous chemicals
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. That the basic principle of pH determination is explained with reference to the concepts of acidity and alkalinity. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Explanation must include:
  • pH scale; and
  • pH - pOH relationships
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. That the principal components of the equipment are identified and their primary functions are described in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principal components must include:
  • electrodes;
  • display system;
  • stirring device.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. That the impact of sample preservation and storage is explained with reference to maintaining sample integrity and obtaining meaningful results. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. That the purpose of the determination is explained in terms of customer requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. That common problems are explained in terms of their effect on the process, and that appropriate preventative or corrective actions are described in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Problems must include
  • faulty electrodes;
  • contamination;
  • instrumentation faults;
  • incorrect calibration.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. That 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 3 
    Determining the pH of the liquid. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. That the required personal protective equipment is available, operational, fit for the purpose and used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. That the calibration standards are verified and are appropriate with respect to the pH range for the particular sample solutions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. That the pH instrument is calibrated in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Requirements must include:
  • acidity; and
  • alkalinity.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. That the samples are identified and verified, and that the pH is measured in accordance with specified requirements and quality control procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. That data are recorded and results reported in accordance with specified requirements within agreed turnaround times. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. That any problems encountered are identified and rectified in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Problems must include:
  • faulty electrodes;
  • contamination;
  • instrumentation faults;
  • incorrect calibration.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. That electrodes are maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. That 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.

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

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Explain security procedures and the need for them in the workplace.
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate`s performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Report writing
  • Health and safety knowledge
  • Legal and site-specific requirements 
    		•

    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 prioritise 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 conveys 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 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 256617, which is "Determine the pH of a liquid by means of a pH meter", Level 3, 2 credits.

    Terminology
    Legal Requirements

    Legal requirements are contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • Relevant legislation: 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 guide
  • 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  58248   National Certificate: Laboratory Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2008-08-05  MQA 
    Elective  58952   Further Education and Training Certificate: Laboratory Analysis  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2008-08-05  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. DEI GRATIA TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT SOLUTION 
    2. ERGO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY NPC 
    3. EXXARO COAL (PTY) LTD 
    4. HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD 
    5. IMPALA PLATINUM SERVICES LTD 
    6. KUMBA IRON ORE (SISHEN) 
    7. MMTI Holdings 
    8. Rustenburg Base Metals Refiners 
    9. 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.