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: 

Demonstrate a basic understanding of occupational hygiene principles 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
421851  Demonstrate a basic understanding of occupational hygiene principles 
ORIGINATOR
QCTO Task Team - 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  Not Applicable  NQF Level 02  9 
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 entering employment and need to know the basics of Occupational Hygiene.

Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of Occupational Hygiene.
  • Explain and discuss environmental factors.
  • Explain and discuss the evaluation of occupational environmental factors.
  • Explain the control of factors influencing occupational hygiene conditions in the working place.
  • Explain how to deal with abnormal occupational hygiene conditions in the working place. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of Occupational Hygiene 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The definitions relevant to Occupational Hygiene are discussed in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The functions of the Occupational Hygiene discipline and of the philosophy to be followed in Occupational Hygiene are explained in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Risk assessment followed by surveys (personal/environmental). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The occupational environmental factors affecting Occupational Hygiene are described in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The sources of workplace contaminants are explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The effects that hazardous occupational environmental conditions have on the safety and health of workers are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The methodology for an Occupational Hygiene survey is explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain and discuss environmental factors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principal occupational environmental factors that impact on persons are identified in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect of physical occupational environmental factors on persons in the working place is explained in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include: Heat, Cold, Vibration, Noise, Ventilation, Illumination, Ionising and non-ionising radiation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Chemical occupational environmental factors are identified and their impact on persons in the working place explained in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include: Dusts (particle size), Gases Vapours and fluids.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Ergonomic occupational environmental factors and their influence in the working place and on persons are explained in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include: Work tolerance, Fatigue, Work/ rest schedules.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain and discuss the evaluation of environmental factors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of evaluating and measuring environmental factors in the working place is explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different measuring techniques are discussed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include: Personal, Occupational environmental and Special monitoring.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Working place conditions that may require personal and environmental monitoring are discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Working place conditions that may require special monitoring are discussed in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range must include: Effectiveness of control measures, Research purposes.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain the control of factors influencing occupational hygiene conditions in the working place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The role of good housekeeping on occupational hygiene conditions in the working place is explained in terms of the consequences to occupational health and safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of controlling at source factors that influence occupational hygiene conditions is explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The need to control the spread of conditions that adversely affect occupational hygiene conditions is discussed in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The practice of rotating workers within the working place on a predetermined basis and the provision of protective equipment as a means of minimising worker exposure to adverse occupational environmental conditions are described in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The role of improving the work environment as a means of reducing secondary stress is explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The reasons for ventilating a working place are explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Explain how to deal with abnormal occupational hygiene conditions in the working place 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The necessity for a plan to deal with abnormal occupational hygiene conditions in the working place is explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The action to be taken when occupational environmental conditions do not conform to specified requirements is described in terms of a predetermined plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The appropriate escape strategy procedure during an emergency is explained in terms of 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 QCTO Quality Assurance Partner (QAP).
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant QCTO QAP.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant QAP according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed QAP procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Knowledge and understanding of:
  • Definitions relevant to Occupational Hygiene.
  • Functions of the Occupational Hygiene Department.
  • Environmental factors affecting Occupational Hygiene.
  • Environmental conditions in a working place.
  • Workplace contaminants.
  • Hazardous conditions.
  • Methodology of an Occupational Hygiene survey.

    Purpose of:
  • Identifying principal environmental factors.
  • Identifying physical environmental factors.
  • Identifying chemical environmental factors.
  • Evaluating and measuring environmental factors.
  • Environmental monitoring.

    Causes and effects (Safety and Health):
  • Good housekeeping of occupational hygiene conditions.
  • Controlling source factors.
  • Controlling the spread of adverse conditions.
  • Rotation of workers within a working place.
  • Personal protective clothing.
  • Adequate ventilation.
  • Identification of dangers and hazards.
  • Escape strategy procedure. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team / group / organisation / community.
    Note:
    The ability and willingness of the learner to work effectively when applying occupational hygiene principles in the mining context. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and evaluate information.
    Note:
    The ability of the learner to collect and interpret information and take appropriate action when applying occupational hygiene principles in the mining context. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically (showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others).
    Note:
    The ability of the learner to select and use appropriate equipment and apply relevant techniques when applying occupational hygiene principles in the mining context. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems.
    Note:
    The learner understands the interaction between various processes and individuals in the mining industry and plays a constructive role in that regar. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology:
    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 Regulations, 1996 (Act 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives/Instructions.
  • Guidelines issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines.

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

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  90656   National Certificate: Mine Ventilation  Not Applicable  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 


    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.