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: 

Operate brushcutters in the horticultural environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264182  Operate brushcutters in the horticultural environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Horticulture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
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 
A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Implement the safety precautions and practices when operating a brushcutter.
  • Use the various brushcutter attachments to suit different requirements.
  • Operate a brushcutter in various locations and utilise the appropriate cutting and trimming heads.
  • Conduct the preventative maintenance on a brushcutter. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification will have demonstrated competence in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 1 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy NQF Level 1 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Apply the appropriate safety precautions when operating and maintaining a brushcutter. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The personal protective clothing and equipment that should be used while operating a brushcutter is identified and described in terms of the protection that the items provide. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The safety features of a brushcutter are described in respect of the protection that they give to the operator, bystanders and buildings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The potential safety hazards that brushcutters pose are described in respect of the various environments in which the brushcutters may be used and the nature of injuries that may result. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The safety precautions that must be applied when operating an electrically powered brushcutter are demonstrated in accordance with the operating manual and the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The safety precautions that must be applied when operating petrol powered brushcutters are demonstrated in accordance with the operating manual and the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The safety precautions for re-fuelling and transporting fuel are described in terms of the objectives of preventing a safety incident and the potential danger that is associated with these activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The objectives of good housekeeping in a fuel storage facility are explained in respect of the practices for the safe handling of petrol and petrol mixes and these procedures are demonstrated in accordance with the operating manual and the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The necessity of erecting brushcutter warning signboards during operation in communal areas is explained in terms of the purpose of avoiding any potential accidents. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The safety precautions that must be applied when performing routine maintenance on a brushcutter are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Select the appropriate attachments for trimming/cutting and prepare the work area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The various sizes of brushcutters are described in terms of their suitability for cutting or trimming. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different attachments that may be fitted to a brushcutter are described in respect of the particular function that each performs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The selection and fitting of suitable attachments and the set up tests that must be performed before the brushcutter is operated are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of inspecting and clearing the work area of stones and other foreign objects before trimming commences is explained in terms of the possible injuries and damage that could occur if this is neglected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The necessity of protecting the stems of trees and shrubs when trimming operations are conducted is explained in terms of the effect that "ring barking" and injuring the stems has on the health and sustainability of these plants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The various stem shields that are used when trimming around trees and shrubs are described and the correct use of these is demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Cut and trim using a brushcutter. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The correct methods to start and stop a brushcutter are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The various adjustments that van be made to the harness to allow a comfortable "height of cut" to be maintained when operating a brushcutter are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The correct posture to effect an even cutting/trimming of an area is are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The various stances that should be used when trimming slopes to obtain an even finish are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The situations in which a brushcutter should not be used are described in terms of the specific conditions that make its usage unfavourable. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The particular cutting techniques and angles that should be used for each type of brushcutter blade to achieve the required finish are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The techniques that ensure that an even quality finish is obtained when operating a line trimmer are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Perform routine preventative maintenance on a brushcutter. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The sequence and schedule of preventative maintenance checks are described in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The individual items that have to be inspected in the preventative maintenance checks are identified and the inspection process is performed in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of reporting any defects or damages to the supervisor/mechanic is explained in terms of the positive effect that this has on minimising future downtime. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The reasons why defective brushcutters should not be used until they have been repaired are explained in terms of ensuring operator safety and the possibility of irreversible damage to the unit. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The procedures for cleaning and lubricating a brushcutter are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The methods of changing the various cutting blades are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The methods of refilling the trimming line in the brushcutter's trimming head, are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturers guidelines and company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The storage conditions and environment that will ensure that brushcutters are adequately protected are described as per the manufacturer's guidelines. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the 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 
    Embedded knowledge is reflected in the Assessment Criteria for each Specific Outcome. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made by:
  • Selecting the correct cutting blade that is suitable for the work area. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Scheduling the preventative maintenance checks for the daily and weekly routines. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation by:
  • Reporting on the condition of various components of the brushcutter to the mechanic or supervisor. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner is able to use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by:
  • Recognising the importance of protecting the stems of shrubs and trees. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is able to demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation:
  • Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    The learner is able to contribute to the full personal development of themselves and the social and economic development of the society at large:
  • Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  66589   National Certificate: Horticulture  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    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.
     
    1. Alvans Training Academy 
    2. Badishi Training and Consultants 
    3. Buhlebetfu Investments Pty Ltd 
    4. Ezolimo Training and Supply Pty Ltd 
    5. Hupco Communications 
    6. HYGRO TRAINING COLLEGE (Pty) LTD 
    7. Judy Atipa Investment Pty Ltd 
    8. K2011145379(South Africa) (Pty) Ltd 
    9. Protea Agricultural Training Centre 
    10. Success Christian Training Centre cc 
    11. Theron Training Development Pty Ltd 
    12. Triple S Training & Development (Pty) Ltd 
    13. Xisana Engeneering and Supply Pty Ltd 


    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.