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: 

Control radiological instrumentation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
242688  Control radiological instrumentation 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Radiation Protection 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Physical Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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 requires of learners to be able to advise instrument users regarding instrument functionality, correct use, etc. Credited learners can take responsibility for instrumentation and make a direct individual contribution to cost reduction and managing valuable assets with confidence. They can compile procedures, manage supplier relations, and take responsibility for instrumentation functionality and inventories. Inventory management is a transferable competence.

Control of radiological instrumentation ensures the availability of the correct measurement equipment and correct use in order to acquire reliable, accurate and precise radiological measurements in specific contexts, for example, the estimation of hazards. Improved quality of measurements means greater confidence in decisions, improved quality of decision-making regarding managing the effectiveness of controls. Costs associated with misuse or incorrect application of instrumentation and loss of instrumentation are reduced.

Credited learners are capable of:
  • Recommending instruments for surveillance and monitoring in specific contexts.
  • Compiling operational procedures for effective use of monitoring instruments.
  • Recommending calibration requirements for specific instruments.
  • Maintaining instrument supplier relationships for effective service.
  • Maintaining radiological instrumentation functionality and inventory according to specified requirements. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Investigate quality and control mechanisms in a business unit (NLRD ID No: 118005 NQF Level 4).
  • Control radiation protection resources (NLRD ID No: 123387 NQF Level 4).
  • Communication (NQF Level 4).
  • Mathematical Literacy (NQF Level 4). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Instrumentation includes dosimetry. Other range statements are provided in the unit standard where relevant to specific outcomes and/or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Recommend instruments for surveillance and monitoring in specific contexts. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Surveillance can include radiation and contamination; monitoring includes dosimetry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Instruments recommended for radiation monitoring and surveillance are are suitable for the specific measurements needed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Measurement can be dose rate, dose, count rate, activity, etc.; type of radiation could include alpha, beta, gamma, x-rays, and neutrons; type of surveillance includes radiation and contamination surveys (inc. airborne); monitoring includes internal and external dosimetry.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Instruments recommended meet required specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Specifications prescribe physical, electronic, detection capabilities, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Surveillance and monitoring recommendations are made to meet specific requirement contexts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Requirements can include cost, availability, reliability, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Surveillance and monitoring is conducted to meet relevant legislative requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Compile operational procedures for effective use of monitoring instruments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Operational procedures compiled adhere to manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Operational procedures meet organisational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Operational procedures compiled are context-specific and meet technical requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Context refers to types of monitoring and surveillance environment, for example, mining environment vs. nuclear power plant environment.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Operational procedures compiled meet specified regulatory requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Recommend calibration requirements for specific instruments. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Requirements can include unit/scale selection, range, types of radiation, energy of radiation, detector types, specification of applications, uncertainty, calibration interval, etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Instrument characteristics are described for the purpose which they are needed for. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Characteristics include limitations.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Recommended calibration requirements adhere to legal specifications and organisational Standard Operating Procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Recommendations adhere to organisational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Recommendations made for calibration are in line with regulatory requirements for specific instruments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Recommended calibration is relevant for specific types of monitoring and surveys. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Relevant information for suggested calibration is included in recommendations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Maintain instrument supplier relationships for effective service. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The quality and scope instrument repairs are evaluated against specifications given to suppliers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Monetary controls implemented adheres to organisational guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The status of the repair process is described to ensure adequate monitoring. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Supplier selection and relationship maintained according to corporate governance and organisational procurement policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Communication practiced is appropriate for specific contexts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Communication requirements include frequency, format/mode, etc.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Maintain radiological instrumentation functionality and inventory according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Instrumentation inventory is controlled to meet operational needs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Instruments kept and used are accounted for every time after use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Faulty instruments are not made available for use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Maintenance is carried out within prescribed organisational guidelines and manufacturer's instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Maintenance activities are performed as prescribed. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessment of learner achievements takes place at providers accredited by a relevant ETQA (RSA, 1998b) for the provision of programs that result in the outcomes specified for this unit standard.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with a relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with a relevant ETQA.
  • The relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures will oversee moderation of assessment and is responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Credited learners understand and can explain:
  • Types of monitoring and surveys.
  • Surveillance and monitoring instruments, instrumentation functionality (inc. faults) and instrument characteristics.
  • Instrumentation inventory control.
  • Specifications for instruments.
  • Types of measurements.
  • Types of radiation.
  • Organisational, legal and regulatory requirements regarding instrumentation.
  • Operational procedure development.
  • Manufacturer specifications.
  • Calibration requirements for specific instruments.
  • Quality and scope of repairs.
  • Monetary control.
  • Supplier selection and relationship management.
  • Corporate governance and organisational procurement policies and procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems where responses to problems show that such critical and creative thinking has been used to make responsible decisions when instrumentation inventory is controlled to meet operational needs and faulty instruments are not made available for use. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community when monetary control adheres to organisational requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when legal requirements are met and operational procedures meet regulatory requirements, maintenance is carried out within allowable limit/scope of responsibility and supplier selection relationship meets requirements of corporate governance and organisational procurement policies and procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information when all relevant information is included in recommendations, and quality and scope of repairs are evaluated against specifications given to suppliers. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematic and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation when communication with suppliers is appropriate for specific contexts. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when operational procedures adhere to manufacturer specifications, and to recommend calibration requirements for specific instruments. 

    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 when recommended instruments are suitable for the type of measurement, the type of radiation involved, the type of surveillance and monitoring required and meet required specifications, and recommended calibration is relevant for specific types of monitoring and surveys. 

    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 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the learner is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the learner can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  57631   National Certificate: Radiation Protection  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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.
     
    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.