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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Quantify analyte concentrations in prepared samples by means of Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9630	Quantify analyte concentrations in prepared samples by means of Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
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 3	NQF Level 03	15
REGISTRATION STATUS		REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE	SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		2004-12-02	2007-12-02	SAQA 1657/04
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-12-02		2011-12-02

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 is replaced by:

US ID	Unit Standard Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Credits	Replacement Status
256628	Quantify analyte concentrations in prepared samples by means of Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy	Level 4	NQF Level 04	15

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

This unit standard is for persons responsible for analyzing samples by means of Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. A person credited with this unit standard can:

Demonstrate knowledge relating to Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.

Quantify analyte concentrations in prepared samples.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

As listed below or the equivalent:

Sciences, Communications and Mathematics at ABET Level 4 or equivalent

Unit Standard - Determine the mass of a substance

Unit Standard - Perform measurements using volumetric glassware

Laboratory health, safety, and environmental standards

Proficiency at preparing sample solutions in liquid form for instrumental analysis

Computer Literacy

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

This competence is for quantification of prepared samples by means of flame atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Demonstrate knowledge relating to Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Hazards and risks pertaining to the flame atomic absorption spectroscopy determination are identified and explained with reference to team health and safety and environmental impact. The appropriate preventive measures are described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Must include the hazards and risks associated with:

Gas selection

Flashback occurrence

Chemicals and fumes

Waste disposal

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The basic principle of atomic absorption is explained with reference to this analytical technique.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The principal components of the Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer are correctly identified and their primary functions are briefly described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Must include the following components:

Hollow cathode lamp

Deuterium lamp

Burner

Nebulizer assembly

Spray chamber

Monochromator

Readout systems

Detector

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The impacts of wavelength, analyte concentration, flow-rate and types of flames are explained with reference to obtaining optimal absorbance.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. The relevance of releasing agents, matrix matching and ionisation suppressants are explained with reference to preparation of standard and sample solutions.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

6. The purpose of the determination is explained in terms of customer requirements.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Quantify analyte concentration in prepared samples.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

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

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The calibration standards are prepared and are appropriate with respect to sample matrix and concentration range for the particular sample solutions.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer is optimized and calibrated in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The prepared samples are identified, verified and the analyte concentration is measured in accordance with specified requirements and quality control procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Must include analyses using the following flames:

Oxidizing flame

Reducing flame

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Data is recorded, analyte concentrations calculated and results reported in accordance with specified requirements within agreed turnaround times.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

6. Common problems and their effect on the process are explained and/or dealt with. Appropriate preventive or corrective actions are briefly described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Must include the following problems:

Nebulizer and burner blockages

Incorrect gas ratios and flow-rate

Excessive curvature

Signal instability

Analyte concentration falls outside calibration range

Flickering lamp

Excessive lamp current

Viscosity effects

Contamination

Insufficient lamp warm-up time

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7

7. Equipment is maintained in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Must include maintenance of the following items:

Nebulizer

Spray chamber assembly

Burner

Lamp

Gas cylinders

Liquid trap

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8

8. 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 9

9. The work is conducted in a manner that ensures continuity, and supports a smooth flow throughout the process. The effect of non-compliance is explained in terms of turnaround time for analytical results.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.

3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate`s performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

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 and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

Note: The ability of the candidate 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 candidate 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 candidate 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 candidate 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 candidate is required to accurately and clearly conveys 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 candidate 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 candidate is aware of his/her role in the organization in terms of social, economic and environmental impact.

UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA

N/A

UNIT STANDARD NOTES

This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 256628, which is "Quantify analyte concentrations in prepared samples by means of Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy", Level 4, 15 Credits.

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, 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

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

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
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.

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