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: 

Perform routine operations on plastics manufacturing equipment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119162  Perform routine operations on plastics manufacturing equipment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Plastics Manufacturing 
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 3  NQF Level 03  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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
12660  Perform routine operations on volume manufacturing equipment  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
In order for me to perform effectively in the field of plastics manufacturing, I will be able to:
  • Start up, monitor and shut down the manufacturing equipment
  • Purge and changeover from one material or colour to another

    I will also know and understand:
  • The basic principles underpinning the design and construction of the manufacturing equipment
  • The basics of and variations in control systems
  • The purpose of procedures in the context of equipment operations

    I can be assessed against this unit standard in the context of any volume plastics manufacturing process, eg
  • Injection moulding
  • Blow moulding
  • Various kinds of extrusion
  • Variations of thermoforming
  • Rotational moulding
  • Calendaring
  • Compression and related moulding processes
  • Reaction injection moulding
  • Polymer composites fabrication processes such as pultrusion, filament winding and resin injection.
    The volume production process also includes the regeneration of recycled materials and the manufacture of intermediate products such as sheet, profiles, compounds and master batches.
    The skill, the knowledge and the values reflected in this unit standard form part of the exit level outcomes required for the National Certificate in Plastics Manufacturing NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credits for this unit standard assume that I have a National Certificate in Plastics Manufacturing NQF Level 2 or an equivalent qualification. They also assume that I am working towards my qualification as part of a learning programme which integrates all the required unit standards.

    My learning time will increase if I do not have:
  • A relevant NQF 2 qualification
  • Experience in a relevant field.

    My learning time will be decreased if I have experience in this field because:
  • My learning programme will be adjusted to build on what I already know
  • I can apply to have that prior learning recognised. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • The scope and level of this unit standard is indicated by range statements related to the specific outcomes.
  • The work reflected in this unit standard is normally performed semi-autonomously under minimal supervision. The work will be guided by relevant worksite procedures, manufacturers' specifications and safety, health and environmental legislation. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Monitor equipment and material, conduct quality checks and resolve problems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Quality checks include monitoring of product mass, dimensions, colour or any other critical part of the product specification. Quality checks at this level should include instruments, measuring equipment and measuring gauges related to the type and nature of the product.
  • Problems are restricted to common processing problems related to the process or the product. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    See the consolidated assessment criteria for this unit standard which are listed under the last outcome. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    The assessment criteria for this unit standard have been consolidated to:
  • Facilitate integrated assessment, and
  • Ensure that the purpose of the unit standard as a whole is assessed (not just the component parts)
    Use the consolidated assessment criteria that are reflected under the last outcome to develop the assessment guides and assessment tools for this unit standard. 
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Perform start up and shutdown procedures on the manufacturing equipment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Manufacturing equipment includes payoff and haul-off lines attached to the processing equipment, ancillary devices such as cut-off saws, belling equipment, slitting and conveying equipment.
  • Start up includes heat soak time (the time taken to heat up the equipment prior to starting it up)
  • Shutdown includes responding to emergency situations 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    See the consolidated assessment criteria for this unit standard which are listed under the last outcome. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    The assessment criteria for this unit standard have been consolidated to:
  • Facilitate integrated assessment, and
  • Ensure that the purpose of the unit standard as a whole is assessed (not just the component parts).
    Use the consolidated assessment criteria that are reflected under the last outcome to develop the assessment guides and assessment tools for this unit standard. 
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare for and perform purging and material or colour changeover procedures. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Purge includes any process or procedure to remove contaminated or degraded material from the manufacturing equipment and tooling; and any colour or material changeover processes, with or without a specific purging step. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    See the consolidated assessment criteria for this unit standard which are listed under the last outcome. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    The assessment criteria for this unit standard have been consolidated to:
  • Facilitate integrated assessment, and
  • Ensure that the purpose of the unit standard as a whole is assessed (not just the component parts).
    Use the consolidated assessment criteria that are reflected under the last outcome to develop the assessment guides and assessment tools for this unit standard. 
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Report and record information related to manufacturing equipment and operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    See the consolidated assessment criteria for this unit standard which are listed under the last outcome. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    The assessment criteria for this unit standard have been consolidated to:
  • Facilitate integrated assessment, and
  • Ensure that the purpose of the unit standard as a whole is assessed (not just the component parts).
    Use the consolidated assessment criteria that are reflected under the last outcome to develop the assessment guides and assessment tools for this unit standard. 
    		•
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Discuss and explain includes briefing people who take over from me.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Discuss and explain issues related to manufacturing equipment and operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Machine operations are performed according to procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Assessment criterion type: Results achieved 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Machine operations include start up, shut down, purging, colour or material change-overs
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reports and records accurately reflect events and conditions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Assessment criterion type: Results achieved 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Deviations are identified and appropriate corrective action is taken to minimise downtime or production losses. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Assessment criterion type: Indicator 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Deviations are restricted to common processing problems related to the process or the product
  • Corrective action can include adjustments to manufacturing equipment, or calling for specific assistance
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The workstation is kept clean and safe. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Assessment criterion type: Indicator 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    All operations are carried out in a manner which will not impact on the safety and health of myself and the people around me or the environment in general. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Assessment criterion type: Indicator 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The manner in which operations are carried out includes the control of spillages, prevention of oil and water leaks, energy efficiency.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    All operations are carried out with due care for the equipment, the materials and the quality of the final product. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Assessment criterion type: Indicator 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Waste material from the various processes is collected and disposed of according to procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Assessment criterion type: Indicator 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    My explanations and discussions of issues show that I have an understanding of the key concepts and principles related to manufacturing equipment and operations, and of how they relate to application in practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Assessment criterion type: Understanding confirmed 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Issues, concepts and principles include:
  • The consequences of emergencies, and the purpose of procedures in relation to emergencies (Emergencies: fire, injuries, power failure)
  • The need for the various procedures related to operations on manufacturing equipment and the reasons for individual steps within the procedures (Reasons are related to specific properties of the materials being processed, the type and nature of the equipment and the end-product specifications and use)
  • The consequences of material spillage, machine breakdowns
  • The consequences of machine breakdown
  • The consequences of out of specification product
  • The effect of processing on plastic materials and their properties (Properties include shrinkage, orientation, degradation, heat history ie hardness, degree of cure)
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • To obtain credits I must be assessed. The assessment will be based on evidence that I produce. My assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of a relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance body (ETQA), which has jurisdiction over this field of learning. The policies and procedures of the relevant ETQA will also determine:
    > How my assessment is moderated
    > How I can appeal against the outcome of the assessment
  • Any institution or company which offers learning that will enable me to achieve the purpose of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA.
  • My assessment against this standard should meet all the requirements of established principles. It should include practical assessment activities, which are appropriate to the contents of this unit standard. These activities should include an appropriate combination of self and peer assessment, practical and oral assessments, observations, etc.
  • I can be assessed in the language of my choice although if I have to report incidents or conditions to someone else, I will be assessed on my ability to report in the language commonly used in my working environment.
  • I will be assessed on all the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge. The specific outcomes must be assessed in their own right, through oral and practical evidence. My assessment will not only be based on observation but also on other evidence which I compile into a portfolio of evidence. I cannot be assessed only through a written or oral test.
  • The specific outcomes and essential knowledge will be assessed in relation to each other. If I am able to explain the items which fall under the heading of essential embedded knowledge, but am unable to perform the specific outcomes, then I cannot be assessed as 'competent'. Similarly, if I am able to perform tasks described under the specific outcomes, but cannot explain or justify them in terms of the fundamental concepts, principles and practice relevant to the level of the unit standard that underpins my skill, then I cannot be assessed as 'competent'.
  • I will also be assessed on my ability to apply the principles and techniques related to the critical cross-field outcomes, not only in terms of what I can demonstrate, but also in terms of what I know and can discuss.
  • My assessment for this unit standard can be done in conjunction with the assessment of other unit standards related to a qualification, and even in conjunction with my assessment for the qualification as a whole. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following items reflect the type of knowledge that the assessor will evaluate
    Names and functions of:
  • Parts and components of processing, testing and packing equipment
  • Instrumentation and measuring units and tools
  • Specifications and standards
  • Production-related documents
  • Cleaning and purging materials

    Purpose of:
  • Purging, cleaning, heat soak or heat up time, cooling
  • Start up and shut down procedures

    Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties:
  • Materials, types and grades
  • Equipment variations
  • Various instruments, controls and control systems
  • Measurements related to various types of equipment variables
  • Effect of processing on materials, eg shrinkage, orientation, degradation, heat history

    Processes and events:
  • Identification of polymers
  • Nature and sequence of operations
  • Collecting and measuring conditions and outcomes

    Causes and effects, implications of:
  • Effect of machine operations and machine variables on the material and the end-product
  • Excessive heat, speed and pressure
  • Oxidation and degradation on final product properties

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Start up
  • Shut down
  • Purging or colour changeovers

    Sensory cues:
  • Ad hoc tests and cues for machine and product conditions (smell, colour, sound)

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
  • Safety standards and regulations
  • Manufacturer's specifications
  • Workplace procedures and standards

    Theory: rules, principles, laws:
  • Principles underpinning the operation of the manufacturing equipment
  • Principles underpinning the operation of various types of equipment condition controllers
  • Circuits, components and instruments
  • Work, temperature, phase changes
  • Oxidation, degradation, gas evolution
  • Pressure, speed, temperature

    Categories:
  • Of problems
  • Materials

    Relationships, systems:
  • Relationships between equipment, material, processes and final product 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Recognise and respond to deviations and incorrect settings. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Interact with others to achieve outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
  • Plan and manage machine operations
  • Implement and apply procedures 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Translate conditions or instructions into specific actions or criteria. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Report incidents and conditions related to the process or the operations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
  • Operate machine, equipment and tools effectively
  • Treat materials correctly according to their requirements (their physical and chemical properties) 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Relate the machine conditions to the condition and properties of the final product. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    My assessor will be registered and have a plastics manufacturing qualification at NQF 4 or higher. My assessor should also be active in the industry and be familiar with the materials, machinery, products and level of technology in which I have contextualised my skills and knowledge. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 12660, "Perform routine operations on plastics manufacturing equipment", Level 3, 10 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49449   National Certificate: Plastics Manufacturing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MERSETA 


    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.