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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply chemical, biological and radiological countermeasures 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257279  Apply chemical, biological and radiological countermeasures 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Bomb Disposal and Explosives Control 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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
117480  Apply Chemical, Biological and Radiological Countermeasures  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  7   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for learners who need to have theoretical and practical knowledge of chemical and biological agents and radiological effects. This unit standard can be applied in various contexts across various industries and occupations. Learners will understand the effects of exposure and will be able to apply decontamination procedures and processes to immediate contaminated environments and humans. Humans refer to both role-players such as forensic analysts, bomb technicians and emergency personnel and possible victims.

Learners credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of agents.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of radiation.
  • Detect agents.
  • Apply decontamination procedures.
  • Perform sampling.
  • Apply countermeasures. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Physical Science at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of agents. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Agents refer to chemical and biological agents. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Classes of agents are identified according to their characteristics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Classes refers but is not limited to choking, blood, nerve and blister.
  • Characteristics refers but is not limited to signs and physical appearance of agent.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A description is given on the effects and side effects of agents on humans in terms of common symptoms. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Effects refer to short-term effects only.
  • Side effects refer to long-term effects only.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Agents are matched to dispersion methods. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of radiation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A description is given of elementary radiological principles in terms of their influence on humans. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principles refer to but are not limited to radiation waves, ionisation radiation and atomic structure.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An explanation is given of the radiological effects on humans in order to identify symptoms on self and others. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An explanation is given of dispersion methods of radiation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Detect agents. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Agents refers to carriers linked to chemical agents, biological agents and radiological sources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A description is given of equipment used to monitor or detect agents. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment refers to but is not limited to chemical analysis meter (CAM), Geiger Counter, biological monitor and self contained breathing apparatus.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A description is given of the assessment of levels of exposure to agents. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A demonstration is given of the detection of agents using detection equipment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply decontamination procedures. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Decontamination refers to both the environmental decontamination and human decontamination. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A description is given of types of decontamination. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Types refer to speed and post incident decontamination.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A situation is assessed in order determine what type of decontamination must be applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Decontamination methods are selected according to the assessed situation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Decontamination methods may refer to but are not limited to dry methods, swabbing methods and wet methods as well as the disposal thereof.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Decontamination equipment is used according to the assessed situation and the equipments operating principles. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Perform sampling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Scenes are assessed in order to determine where sampling should take place. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Assessment and sampling may be conducted in line with scene management principles.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A sampling method is selected for use according to the assessed situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Sampling equipment is used according to its operating instructions and principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment refers to but is not limited to Personal Protection Equipment and sampling kits.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Samples are taken and secured for testing. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Apply countermeasures. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Countermeasures refers but is not limited to evacuations, moving upwind, immediate action drills, emergency treatments and radiological counter measures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A description is given of countermeasures in terms of their uses, advantages and limitations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Potential threats are assessed in order to determine the most applicable counter measure. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Threats also refer to hazards and risks.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A demonstration is given of the application of countermeasures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Organisational specific operating procedures pertaining to scene management:
    > Incident command post.
    > Triage area.
    > Managing procedures.
    > Safety Principles.
    > Exhibit management.
  • Personal Protection Equipment.
  • Marking, packing and preserving of evidence.
  • Record keeping methods.
  • Current sections of legislation (as amended) dealing with chemical, biological and radiological agents:
    > Human Tissues Act.
    > Disaster Management Act.
    > Hazardous Substances Act.
    > Occupational Health and Safety Act.
    > National Nuclear Regulator Act.
    > Teargas Act. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Detecting agents.
  • Applying decontamination procedures.
  • Applying countermeasures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during:
  • The detection of agents.
  • Decontamination procedures.
  • Countermeasures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Detecting agents.
  • Applying decontamination procedures.
  • Performing sampling.
  • Applying countermeasures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • Knowledge of agents.
  • Knowledge of radiation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Detecting agents.
  • Applying decontamination procedures.
  • Performing sampling.
  • Applying countermeasures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Detecting agents.
  • Applying decontamination procedures.
  • Applying countermeasures. 
    		•

    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 117480, "Apply Chemical, Biological and Radiological Countermeasures", Level 5, 7 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  63229   National Diploma: Bomb Disposal  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    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.