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: 

Reduce samples or material by means of hydrogen reduction 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246444  Reduce samples or material by means of hydrogen reduction 
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 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  3 
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 will be useful to people who are responsible for reducing samples or material by means of hydrogen gas in a laboratory environment.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills relating to occupational health, safety and environment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge relating to the reduction of samples or material by hydrogen.
  • Reduce samples or material by hydrogen.
  • Explain or deal with problems relating to the reduction of samples or material by hydrogen.

    This unit standard will contribute to the full development of the learner by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the sub-fields of manufacturing and assembly, physical sciences, life sciences, environmental sciences, earth and space sciences. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and upliftment within the manufacturing and processing environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Communication, mathematical literacy and natural science, NQF Level 2.

    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:
  • Handle gas cylinders.
  • Laboratory health, safety and environmental standards.
  • Unit Standard: "Determine the mass of a substance". 
    		•

    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.
  • This competency is applicable to laboratories where samples or material is being reduced by hydrogen gas.

    The level assigned to this unit standard is applicable because the processes require a range of specialised technical skills that offer a considerable choice of procedures in a variety of contexts. A broad knowledge base with substantial depth, analytical interpretation of information, informed judgements and a range of sometime innovative responses to concrete but often unfamiliar problems are employed. The application of the unit standard is to qualify a person towards certification in advance trade, technical, technology occupations or undergraduate tertiary education. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge and skills relating to occupational health, safety and environmental protection standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazards and risks pertaining to the process are identified and explained with reference to occupational health and safety and environmental impact. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hazards and risks include but are not limited to:
  • Equipment.
  • Heat.
  • Gas.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The appropriate preventive measures are described to ensure safe working practices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The required personal protective and safety equipment is selected, operational, fit for purpose and used in accordance with workplace requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Work is conducted to meet occupational health, safety and environmental standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Occupational health, safety and environmental issues include:
  • Housekeeping.
  • Waste disposal.
  • Storage.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of non-compliance with specified requirements are explained with respect to occupational personal and team health and safety and impact on the environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate understanding relating to the reduction of samples or material by hydrogen. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The basic principle of the reduction technique is explained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The components of equipment are identified using correct terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The function of each component is described as applicable to laboratory practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Components include:
  • Combustion vessels.
  • Gas supply.
  • Tube furnace.
  • Flow controller.
  • Sample introduction system.
  • Extraction system.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Reduce samples or material by hydrogen. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The samples or material are identified and verified in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The equipment to be used is identified, verified, used and maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The specific reduction is performed according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Test results are established without error and according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of accurate results is explained according to standard principles of quality control and assurance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Data is recorded, interpreted and reported in accordance with workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The equipment and work area is left in a safe, neat and clean condition after performing the tests. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Waste from the tests is handled according to standard operating procedures and the organisation's environmental policy. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain or deal with problems relating to the reduction of samples or material by hydrogen. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Common problems and their effect on the process are explained and/or dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Common problem include but are not limited to:
  • Incorrect gas flow rates.
  • Incorrect temperature.
  • Incorrect reduction time.
  • Gas leaks.
  • Contamination.
  • Poor sample introduction technique.
  • Inappropriate sample or material aliquots.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Deviations from specifications are explained according to standard workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The work is conducted in a manner that supports a smooth flow throughout the process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The effect of non-compliance with specified requirements is explained in terms of production, quality, cost, lost time and turnaround time. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of accurate records and reports is explained according to standard principles of quality control and assurance. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Internal moderation.
  • External moderation.
  • An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner's competency.
  • Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
  • All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
  • Assessment and moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.
  • Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
  • Examination of an assessment portfolio.
  • Reporting skills are demonstrated by effective communication, using verbal (language) and/or writing skills.
  • Direct observation in simulated or actual work conditions.
  • Practical demonstration of the mentioned techniques. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The qualifying learner understands and is able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills relating to occupational health, safety and environment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge relating to the reduction of samples or material by hydrogen.
  • Reduce samples or material by hydrogen.
  • Explain or deal with problems relating to the reduction of samples or material by hydrogen.

    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 in which response displays that responsible decisions, using critical and creative thinking, have been made by:
  • Identifying technical problems, sub-standard and hazardous conditions.
  • Assessing and taking appropriate action.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community by:
  • Maintaining sound relations with co-workers.
  • Working according to workplace occupational safety standards.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate understanding relating to the reduction of samples or material by hydrogen.
  • Reduce samples or material by hydrogen.
  • Explain or deal with problems relating to the reduction of samples or material by hydrogen. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Prioritising and integrating the various activities in order to meet the set targets.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Reduce samples or material by hydrogen.
  • Explain or deal with problems relating to the reduction of samples or material by hydrogen. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information by:
  • Collecting and evaluating information from numerical data and/or physical observations in terms of specified requirements.
  • Explaining deviations from specifications according to workplace procedures.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Reduce samples or material by hydrogen.
  • Explain or deal with problems relating to the reduction of samples or material by hydrogen. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by using mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations by:
  • Obtaining and interpreting testing schedules.
  • Keeping records.
  • Calculating, recording and reporting test results.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Reduce samples or material by hydrogen.
  • Explain or deal with problems relating to the reduction of samples or material by hydrogen. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by:
  • Working safely and according to workplace environmental policy.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    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 by:
  • Understanding the purpose and use of hydrogen reduction techniques.
  • Adhering to health, safety and environmental protection standards during laboratory activities.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    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:
  • Understanding the role of hydrogen reduction techniques in the laboratory analysis environment and the effect it has on the growth and development of the organisation, its customers and employees.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    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 
    Supplementary Information:

    Terms and definitions:

    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.
  • Material Safety Data Sheets.

    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.

    Notes to Assessors:

    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, then 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 candidate 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 candidate 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
    Elective  64950   Further Education and Training Certificate: Laboratory Analysis  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    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.
     
    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.