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 coal handling systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
114456  Operate coal handling systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Power Plant Operations 
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 3  NQF Level 03  11 
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 a person who operates coal handling systems on fossil power plants. A person credited with this unit standard is able to prepare the plant for service and monitor startup conditions, startup of plant, monitor and sustain plant and/or equipment operability, stabilise transient conditions, shutdown plant, isolate shutdown plant and maintain regulatory requirements. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
1. The person has the ability to listen, question, observe and describe accurately and align with the senders need.
2. The person understands and respects peoples values and beliefs, as well as those of the organisation and can manage his/her actions in line with it.
3. The person understands his/her own development requirements.
4. The person knows the concepts, terms and theory of the specified technical field covering maths and engineering science and electrical trade theory and power plant theory at N2 level.
5. The person understands the company`s vision and manage his/her actions in line with it.
6. The person understands the overall energy conversion process.
7. The person has the ability to recognise and analyse problems, evaluate options and decide on the most appropriate action. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Any equipment associated with receiving, storing and distribution of coal. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Prepare plant for service. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
From isolated and de-loaded conditions. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Legitimacy of instruction to prepare plant for service is confirmed according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Plant is prepared for service according to relevant procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Plant status is communicated according to administrative requirements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Startup and loading of plant. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Coal handling systems startup conditions are monitored for compliance with startup operating parameters as per monitoring requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Coal handling system is started according to startup procedure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Coal handling system is loaded to meet system demand within technical specifications. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Coal handling system supply and demand are balanced. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Regulatory requirements relevant to the operation of the coal handling system and work related environment are adhered to, according to organisation safety standards. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Monitor and sustain plant and or equipment operability during normal running conditions. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
This include but is not limited to routine tests, service notifications and work orders. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Out of normal conditions are identified and acted upon according to relevant operating procedure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Monitored conditions are communicated according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Out of normal conditions communicated are followed up according to specific requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. House keeping standards in the direct working environment are maintained according to specific standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Plant lubricated according to technical specifications and operating procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Work orders are performed according to preventative maintenance procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Plant monitoring performed according to procedural requirements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Stabilise transient conditions. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Transient conditions are recognised and acknowledged by comparing current conditions with required conditions. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Transient conditions are analysed, actions planned and implemented according to procedural requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Transient conditions and actions implemented are communicated according to administrative requirements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Shutdown plant. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Legitimacy of instruction to shut down plant is confirmed according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Coal handling system is de-loaded and shutdown according to standard operating procedure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Relevant actions are communicated according to administrative requirements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
Isolate shutdown plant. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Electrical isolations excluded. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Legitimacy of instruction to isolate plant is confirmed according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Power plant support system is mechanically isolated according to standard isolation procedure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Isolated plant and or equipment status is communicated according to administrative requirements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Procedural comprehension. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Includes operating philosophy.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
5. Regulatory requirements are known and understood. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Environment, permit to work, personal protective equipment, housekeeping.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
2. Communication process and practices are known and understood. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
3. Plant configuration explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Includes equipment understanding.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
4. Process integration is comprehended. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Operating parameters and/or technical specifications are known. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Out of normal emergency conditions are comprehended. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Routine activities comprehended. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9. Principles of safe coal storage is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
10. Terminology, concepts, definitions and abbreviations associated with this specific plant are known and understood. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
11. Plant/process identification codes interpreted. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 12 
12. Trends/incidents/operation history recalled. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 13 
13. Conveyor protection system comprehended. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
According to SAQA requirements.

Moderation:
Power Plant Operations Standard Generating Body. 

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
1. The person understands the impact his/her specific plant has on the energy conversion process.
2. The persons understand how to set priorities for themselves and their own job requirements and can obtain the necessary tools and or equipment to execute the job.
3. The person is aware of and concerned with the impact his/her actions have on the environment.
4. The person knows and understands the theory of application of mechanical plant components and it`s interrelation to the plant.
5. The person understands electrical and instrumentation components within his/her plant area.
6. The person is aware of and understands the regulatory requirements relevant to his/her plant area.
7. The person understands the dangers of chemicals used in his/her direct work environment.
8. The person understands the lessons learned from trends/incidents related to his/her specific plant.
9. The person understands the direct impact of decisions and actions and anticipate effects on plant and people in the direct working environment.
10. The person knows and understands what is happening in and across situations with people, plant and materials. (Big Picture Thinking)
11. The person has the knowledge to operate interrelated plant processes and safety equipment safely and efficiently. 

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
N/A 

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
N/A 


Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
Identify and Solve Problems. 

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

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
Organise and manage one self and ones activities responsible and effectively. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
Collect, organise and critically evaluate information. 

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

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
Use science and technology effectively and critically. Shown responsibility towards the environment and health of others. 

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. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of.
  • Reflect on an exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
  • Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
  • Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
  • Explore education and career opportunities.
  • Develop entrepreneurial opportunities. 
    		•

    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 
    Occupational Role: Fossil Power Plant Operator

    The following references to assessment tool to be made through out this unit standard:

    1.
  • Preparation for startup.
  • Starting and monitoring of startup parameters.
  • Monitoring through out of normal identification and responses, trend, identification and analysis.
  • Production capabilities and design specifications.
  • Specific procedure knowledge.
  • Inventory requirement understanding.
  • Safety and regulatory procedure adherence
  • Shut down and isolating requirements.
  • Tests, routines, service notifications and work orders.
  • Loading requirements and conditions.

    2.
  • Priority setting
  • Environmental polution understanding.
  • Mechanical, electrical and instrumentation equipment understanding.
  • Knowledge of regulatory requirements.
  • Process chemical understanding.
  • Incident understanding.
  • Energy conversion process understanding.
  • Operating philosophy understanding,

    Terminology used in this unit standard is consistent with the following:
  • Electricity Supply Industry in South Africa
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)

    A candidate will be regarded not yet competent should the safety of people, plant and materials be jeopardised during any stage of the assessment. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  23677   National Certificate: Power Plant Auxiliary Systems Operation  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2009-02-18  Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  61549   National Certificate: Power Plant Auxiliary Systems Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 


    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. MPUMELELO TRAINING 


    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.