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: 

Prepare samples for analysis by X-Ray Fluorescence (Aztec) Spectrometry 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
254337  Prepare samples for analysis by X-Ray Fluorescence (Aztec) Spectrometry 
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 2  NQF Level 02  2 
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 require to prepare samples for analysis by X-Ray Fluorescence (Aztec) Spectrometry.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge relating to this process.
  • Prepare samples for quantitative X-Ray Fluorescence analysis. 
    		•

    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:
  • Relevant Health, Safety and Environmental procedures at NQF Level 1.
  • Ability to operate a computer to achieve the following:
    > Switch on and off.
    > Create and save files and directories. 
    		•

    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. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge relating to this process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazards and risks pertaining to the process are identified and explained with reference to team health and safety and environmental impact. The appropriate preventive measures are described in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Common problems are explained in terms of their effect on the process. Appropriate preventative or corrective actions are described in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Contamination.
  • Incorrect particle size.
  • Incorrect sequencing.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The equipment required for the preparation is identified in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of non-compliance with specified requirements are explained with respect to personal and team health and safety, impact on the environment, production, quality control, costs and lost time. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The reasons for carrying out X-Ray analyses are explained in terms of customer requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare samples for quantitative X-Ray Fluorescence analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The equipment is used and maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The required personal protective equipment is available, operational, fit for purpose and used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The physical characteristics of the prepared sample are in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The tubes and magazines are loaded in sequence in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    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.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The work is conducted in a manner that supports a smooth flow from the previous process through to the next process in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Any problems encountered are identified and rectified in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Samples are prepared in accordance with specified requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Construction of an X-ray Fluorescence (Aztec) Spectrometer:
  • Major components and functions.
  • Systems.
  • Consumables.
  • Instrumentation.

    Applications and operation of an X-ray Fluorescence (Aztec) Spectrometer:
  • Ranges of use and applications.
  • Sample preparation requirements.
  • Principles of operation.
  • Advantages, disadvantages and accuracy of results.
  • Production efficiencies and capacities.
  • Basic maintenance and adjustments.
  • Defects.

    Occupational Safety, Health and Environment:
  • Hazards and risks encountered.
  • Safety systems and health protection.
  • Personal Protective Equipment requirements.
  • Environmental protection and pollution controls.
  • Emergency procedures.

    Applicable statutory requirements for operation for an X-ray Fluorescence (Aztec) Spectrometer:
  • Applicable Acts and Regulations.
  • Codes of Practice.

    Quality Assurance for operation of an X-ray Fluorescence (Aztec) Spectrometer:
  • Calibration of equipment.
  • Standards of requirements.
  • Sample identification and tracking.

    Communication:
  • Reporting requirements.
  • Liaison with customers.
  • Use of IT systems. 
    		•

    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 learner 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 learner 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 learner 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 learner 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 learners are required to accurately and clearly convey 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 learner 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 learner is aware of his/her role in the organization in terms of social, economic and environmental impact. 
    		•

    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 
    Terminology:

    Specified Requirements:

    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, and Minerals Act and Regulations.
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SABS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.
  • Material Safety Data Sheets.

    Site Specific:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health & Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks.
  • Working Guides.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications.

    Relevant Technical Publications:
  • Textbooks.
  • Published Papers.

    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.

    Motivation regarding number of Specific Outcomes:
  • Even though there are less than four specific outcomes in this unit standard it represents a whole competency. It is not merely a description of tasks, jobs or procedures but it focuses on outcomes of activity. It also has a broad application across a range of contexts as stipulated in the unit standard.
  • In addition this unit standard is considered as a milestone of learning in the sector. It is worth recognizing in its own right, as it is attributable to and achievable by an individual.
  • This unit standard is fit-for-purpose for the sector and the specific outcomes jointly meet all the competence requirements of the title of the standard.
  • In addition the unit standard has been integrated to avoid artificial distinctions between activities/processes. 
    		•

    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  64949   National Certificate: Laboratory Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  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.