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: 

Plan support activities in a metal production process 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
259720  Plan support activities in a metal production process 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Manufacturing and Assembly Processes 
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 a prelude to the Unit Standard on the performance of support activities in a metal production process. There are a number of contexts in which the learner can operate, the competencies the learner will acquire through this standard will be determined by the workplace the learner wishes to enter. The time it will take a learner to acquire the competencies to plan to perform support activities in his/her context within the metal production environment will depend on the type of support equipment a learner will need to operate and the context.

Learners credited with this standard will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge relating to planning and preparing for supporting activities in a metal production environment.
  • Plan to perform support activities and functions.
  • Prepare consumables and equipment for use. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 1.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This serves as a general guide to the scope, context conditions, and level at which learners are expected to perform.

    This unit standard is designed for learners learning and working in a particular process within a specific metals production environment, for example:
  • For iron and steel, these may include iron making, the direct reduction process, coke making, steel making and refining, liquid metal casting, steel reheating and hot working, steel cold working, steel cold processing and product coating.
  • For aluminium, these may include the direct reduction process, liquid metal casting, anode making, anode baking, anode rodding, briquette making, aluminium reheating and hot working, aluminium cold working, and gas, fumes and bath treatment.
  • For copper, these may include the electrolysis, direct reduction process, copper refining, liquid metal casting, copper hot working, copper cold working.
  • For graphite, these may include mill mixing and forming, baking, pitch impregnation, graphitising, machining.
  • For platinum, chrome and manganese, these may include tapping, metal casting, electrode joining, slag tapping, paste handling and baking. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge relating to planning and preparing for supporting activities in a metal production environment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Supporting activities and functions include but are not limited to preparing, inspecting, testing, sampling, temperature measurement, checking for damage, cutting, cleaning, charging, loading, making additions, quenching, stacking, distributing, conveying, lubricating, reclaiming, sawing, butt welding, sculping, grinding, shot blasting, descaling, drossing, lancing, receiving, counting, pre-heating, weighing, sealing, milling, jackhammering, paddling back, monitoring alarms, mud-gun and drill, paste addition, drilling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The legal and specified requirements pertaining to a safe, healthy work environment and the consequences of not adhering to the above are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of preparing to perform support activities is explained in terms of achieving specified production requirements and up and downstream operational processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Hazards and associated risks pertaining to the performance of support activities in a metal production environment are identified through specified risk assessment procedures, and the actions to be taken should they be encountered are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Support equipment to be used is identified and their functions explained to show the difference between the machines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The specified actions to be taken in the event of sub-standard conditions and problems pertaining to the supporting equipment are explained and necessary actions are performed to deal with the problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Problems and/or conditions beyond the scope of the learner are communicated to relevant personnel so that appropriate action can be taken. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Plan to perform support activities and functions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Job instructions/production schedule are checked to ensure an effective production process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Lack of clarity or confusion is communicated to supervisor so that the matter can be resolved. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Production schedule is interpreted and activities are planned to ensure correct sequence and efficiency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The sequencing and timing of activities are determined so that the materials are available and the production process is not delayed. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare consumables and equipment for use. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Preparing equipment includes but is not limited to assembling, attaching, joining, positioning, tightening, filling, adjusting, lubricating, charging, discharging, quenching, calibrating.
  • Cleaning equipment includes manipulators, sampling equipment, cutting and shredding equipment, fume and dust extraction equipment, degassing equipment, airtools, lifting equipment, conveyor belts, weighing equipment, electrodes, moulds, inlet and outlet tackle, dummy bars, rolls, hand held oxygen lances, binding and tying equipment, tipplers, coilers, decoilers, shaping equipment, steering units, roll tensioning units, bridle rolls, scale breakers, holding baths, torpedoes, power packs, casting wheels, ladles, measuring rods, crushers, ceramic blankets.
  • Consumables include rags, cleaning material, lance pipes, samples, thermocouples, grinding materials, spare electrodes, casting lubricants, lubricants, insulation materials, graphite moulds, coating material, packaging material, shrouds, sens, chilling materials, insulation bricks, electrode paste, mud-gun rods, clay, pitch, coke, bath, cast iron ingots. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pre-operational checks on equipment are performed so that problems can be resolved prior to starting the production process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment is tested and prepared for operation to ensure smooth running of the production process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The availability and condition of consumables required are checked and replenished to prevent delays. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Hazardous consumables are managed according to standard operating procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Tools required during operation are checked according to standard operating procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Problems with equipment and consumables, that cannot be resolved, are communicated to supervisor so that appropriate action can be taken timeously. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names and functions of:
  • Support processes.
  • Equipment.
  • Consumables.
  • Materials.
  • Production machinery and its component parts.
  • Safety equipment.

    Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties:
  • Supporting activities and functions.
  • Types of defects/faults.
  • Properties input materials and consumables.

    Sensory cues:
  • Cues for different defects (what I see, hear, smell, feel), e.g. smell or appearance of degrading or burning materials, sounds made by faulty equipment or changing process conditions, visual cues to changing process conditions.

    Purpose of:
  • Pre-operational checks on equipment.
  • Supporting activities and functions.
  • Quality checks and procedures.
  • Safety checks.
  • Reporting incidents and conditions.
  • Liaising with process control personnel.
  • Cleaning and storing.
  • Production schedules.

    Processes, events, causes and effects, implications:
  • Implications of non-conformance.
  • Causes and responses to safety, quality, operations, output and maintenance.
  • Basic manufacturing process and sequence operation.
  • Implications and consequences of situations such as, e.g. poor quality, damaged or faulty equipment, allowing faulty processes to continue, delaying reports about changing conditions.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Communication procedures.
  • Recording and reporting procedures.
  • Quality and safety procedures.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
  • Applicable safety, health and environmental protection legislation and standards.

    Theory: rules, principles, laws:
  • Concepts of quality assurance related to this activity.
  • Basic scientific principles related to the process, the materials and the product, e.g. heat, change of state, mechanical movement, wear, hardness.

    Relationships, systems:
  • The balance between production and cost reduction on the one hand, and quality and customer satisfaction on the other. 
    		•

    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 responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Monitoring material flow and consumption of consumables and making adjustments. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community to:
  • Ensure that supporting equipment and activities facilitate the production process. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively when:
  • Interpreting production schedules.
  • Checking consumables, equipment and tools.
  • Monitoring material flow and consumption of consumables and making adjustments. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to:
  • Solve problems by making adjustments. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation to:
  • Prepare the supporting equipment for an efficient production process. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others by preparing the support equipment according to manufacturer's instructions. 

    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  64189   National Certificate: Metals Production  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.