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: 

Operate Equipment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
110012  Operate Equipment 
ORIGINATOR
Chemical Industries SGB 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
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 people who work, or intend to work in a manufacturing environment. It will contribute towards the achievement of a National Certificate in Chemical Manufacturing at NQF Level 2. Equipment operated in this unit standard is against a set of specific instructions.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Prepare and start up equipment
  • Operate manufacturing equipment
  • Shut down manufacturing equipment
  • Conduct post-manufacturing processes 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this unit standard will have demonstrated competence at the equivalent of NQF 1 in Mathematics and Communication in English, Safety, Health, Environment and Quality, and relevant technology. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Equipment: The term equipment in this unit standard is described as a machine or apparatus that delivers a result or achieves a function in a process. Persons accessing this unit standard are required to show competence in the operation of at least 2 types of equipment used in manufacturing. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare for start up. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The status of the equipment is established and related documentation completed, according to Company requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Equipment is checked to ensure correct settings and good working order, and process parameters are verified to be suitable for the production run. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Process parameters can include correct settings of micro switches, doors, magnetic switches, guards.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Any faults within the operator's scope are repaired. System faults, and faults which are not the responsibility of the operator, are reported to the right persons, as shown on the checklists or fault-finding guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Materials are checked to be of the right type, quantity and quality, in accordance with documentation. Discrepancies are dealt with in accordance with company specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The preparation process is completed as per relevant company documentation. The documentation accurately reflects the status of each preparation stage, is signed off, and where and when required, the status of the preparation process is communicated to designated personnel. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The importance of thorough preparation and the consequences of poor preparation are described in terms of the effect on safety, quality of product, and productivity. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Start up equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn so that it protects the operator and prevents the product from being spoiled. All protective equipment is used as described in the maker's instructions, company policy and safety legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Production equipment is started, as per manufacturer's requirements and product specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Guards, safety switches, fume and/or dust extraction, leakages.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Safety parameters are applied and complied with, as per standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Optimal performance can include temperature and speed.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Operating conditions of equipment are achieved, as per manufacturer's and site operating specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Operate manufacturing equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Equipment is operated safely, and production wastage is kept to a minimum. Every opportunity to rework non-conforming product is taken. Where there is waste, it is disposed of in line with standard operating procedures and environmental policies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Equipment is adjusted to achieve optimal performance, in line with manufacturer's recommendations and standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Ingredients are added in the correct sequence and at the right time for the product specifications and the production run. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. In-process checks are performed as and when required, and corrective action taken to ensure that product conforms to specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The consequences of out of specification product are explained in terms of cost to productivity and consumer satisfaction. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Productivity includes impact of time and product wastage on product cost and profitability.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Any differences from normal equipment performance are noted and running adjustments made. Deviations or breakdowns, should they occur, are recorded and communicated to designated personnel, and the relevant corrective measures are ensured to have been taken before proceeding. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Shut down manufacturing equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Equipment is shut down safely and in the correct sequence, in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Appropriate documentation is completed in time and accurately, and meets company specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Containers used are fit for purpose, free of contamination, and correctly labelled, in accordance with standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Product is checked for correct quantity, quality and physical appearance, and results are documented accurately. Deviations from specifications, should they occur, are recorded and either rectified or reported to the designated person, and corrective measures are ensured to have been taken. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Product status is communicated to designated personnel in accordance with Company specific requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Conduct post-operating processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Manufacturing equipment is checked for defects, and corrective action taken where in the scope of the operator's work. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Problems beyond the operator's scope of work are reported to designated personnel for corrective action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The cleaning of equipment ensures that it is free from contamination and ready for the next run, in line with standard operating procedures or site specific instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Consequences of incorrect cleaning are explained with reference to contamination, product quality and productivity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Any problems or difficulties around shut down and cleaning of equipment are noted and solutions are developed to improve performance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Hand over, quality and productivity documentation is completed accurately, as per Company and legislation or regulation when this is applicable. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The relevant Educational Training Quality Assurance Body (ETQA) will accredit providers offering learning towards this standard and will register assessors. They will also appoint the internal and external verifiers. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Product-specific technology
  • Manufacturing terms and concepts
  • Manufacturing process in which equipment is operated 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Solve problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others and in teams. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Some collection and critical evaluation of information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Some oral and written communication. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understanding of inter-related parts of a system. 

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  24253   National Certificate: Batch Mixing  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2006-12-03  Was CHIETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  48890   National Certificate: Chemical Liquid, Gas Storage and Transfer  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2007-10-13  CHIETA 
    Core  36156   National Certificate: Chemical Manufacturing Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2006-12-03  Was CHIETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  58955   National Certificate: Chemical Manufacturing  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CHIETA 


    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.