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: 

Maintain stock levels of equipment, reagents and consumables required by the laboratory 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
256605  Maintain stock levels of equipment, reagents and consumables required by the laboratory 
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 4  NQF Level 04  12 
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
110421  Maintain stock levels of equipment, reagents and consumbles required by the laboratory  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who are required to maintain stock levels of consumables, equipment and reagents, required by the laboratory.

This unit standard is intended to promote general skills and knowledge relating to the maintenance of stock levels of consumables, equipment and reagents in the mining and minerals sector.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate and apply knowledge relating to occupational health, safety and environment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge relating to the maintenance of stock levels.
  • Maintain required stock levels.
  • Explain or deal with problems relating to maintaining stock levels of equipment, reagents and consumables. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learners are already competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge and skills relating to occupational health and safety in the work environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Occupational Hazards and risks pertaining to the process are identified and explained in accordance with specified requirements with reference to occupational team health and safety and environmental impact. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hazards must include the following:
  • Hazardous substances.
  • Waste disposal.
  • Moving machinery.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The appropriate preventive measures to deal with occupational hazards and risks are described in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The required fit for purpose personal protective equipment is used in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Work is conducted to meet occupational health, safety and environmental standards in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Occupational health, safety and environmental issues must include:
  • Housekeeping.
  • Waste disposal.
  • Storage.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of non-compliance with specified requirements are explained with respect to occupational personal and team health, safety and impact on the environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge relating to the maintenance of stock levels. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Stock control concepts are explained in accordance with operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Concepts must include the following:
  • Identification.
  • Storage.
  • Quantity.
  • Location of supplier.
  • Status of stock.
  • Rotation of stock.
  • Shelf-life.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Costs factors are explained in terms of maintaining adequate stock levels. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Cost factors must include the following:
  • The Just In Time concept of stock levels.
  • Administrative costs.
  • Contractual obligations.
  • Budget control.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Stock control systems are described in accordance with operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Systems must include the following:
  • Procurement policies.
  • Storage policies.
  • Delivery policies.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The reasons for maintaining adequate levels of laboratory stock are explained in accordance with operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Maintain required levels of stock. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The levels of stock required are determined in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Received stock is verified against the requisition or order documentation for correctness in accordance with operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Verification must include the following:
  • Quantity ordered and supplied.
  • Expiry dates.
  • Damages to labelling and packaging.
  • Specifications.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Stock levels are maintained in accordance with operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Stock level maintenance must include compliance with the following procedures:
  • Procurement.
  • Receiving.
  • Storage.
  • Issuing.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Data is recorded and processed in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Deal with problems relating to maintaining stock levels of equipment, reagents and consumables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Any problems encountered are identified and corrective action taken in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Common problems must include the following:
  • Outstanding orders.
  • Late orders.
  • Unexpected increase/decrease in workload.
  • Incorrect quantities received.
  • Material not complying with specifications.
  • Damaged packaging.
  • No or incomplete material safety data sheets supplied.
  • Expired material.
  • Incorrect stacking.
  • Incorrect storage conditions.
  • Uncontrolled issuing of items.
  • Insecure storage facilities.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The work is conducted in a manner that ensures continuity, and supports a smooth flow throughout the process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effect of non-compliance is explained in terms of production, quality, cost and lost time and turnaround time for analytical results. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated Unit Standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following essential embedded knowledge will be assessed in an integrated manner in this unit standard:

    Knowledge relating to maintaining stock levels of equipment, reagents and consumables:
  • Appropriate preventive measures.
  • Stock control concepts.
  • Costs to determine stock levels.
  • Stock control systems.
  • The reasons for maintaining adequate levels of laboratory stock.
  • Common problems.

    Critical factors and functions relating to the process:
  • Safety, health and risk management requirements.
  • Achieving specified production requirements.
  • Emergency procedures.
  • Security requirements.
  • Specified communication requirements.

    Processes and events:
  • Process flow and interlock systems.
  • Factors affecting the performance of the process.

    Causes and effects (Safety and Health):
  • Use of personal protective equipment.
  • Use of tools and equipment.
  • Condition of safety devices.
  • Utilisation of process equipment and consumables.
  • Workplace hazards and associated risks.
  • Effective communication.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Methods of collecting and analysing, organising, summarising and presenting data.
  • Fault finding and correction technique.
  • Quality related procedures.
  • Operating procedure.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies and standards:
  • Safety, health and environmental legislation and regulations.
  • Quality policies, standards and agreements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner's ability to work to high levels of accuracy and inconsistency will contribute to the overall performance of the laboratory team. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner's ability to follow work procedures closely, adhering meticulously to relevant procedures when maintaining stock levels of equipment, reagents and consumables. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner's ability to keep accurate records and make accurate entries into the relevant log sheets. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner's ability to use and interact with technologically advanced procedures and equipment in a modern laboratory environment when maintaining stock levels of equipment, reagents and consumables. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is aware that in the mining (refining) industry various systems are dependent on each other, and accepts responsibility in that regard. 

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 110421, "Maintain stock levels of equipment, reagents and consumables required by the laboratory", Level 4, 12 credits.

    Terminology:

    Legal Requirements:

    Legal requirements are contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • Relevant legislation: e.g. Mine Health & Safety Act and Minerals Act and Regulations.
  • Regulations.
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.
  • Material Safety Data Sheets.

    Site-Specific Requirements:
  • 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 guide.
  • 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  64950   Further Education and Training Certificate: Laboratory Analysis  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.