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

Sweep floors 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243194  Sweep floors 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Hygiene & Cleaning Services 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Cleaning, Domestic, Hiring, Property and Rescue Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
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
12527  Sweep floors  Level 1  NQF Level 01   
12532  Clean building surrounds  Level 1  NQF Level 01   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners credited with this unit standard are able to manually sweep floors found in a residential, commercial, industrial or institutional environment, without the use of mechanical equipment.

Qualifying learners are able to:
  • Plan and prepare for sweeping floors.
  • Sweep floors.
  • Perform end of task duties after sweeping floors. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication at ABET Level 3.
  • The Unit standard:
    > Understand basic cleaning principles (Level 1). 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • The scope of this unit standard is for any person who needs to sweep floors. This unit standard is not applicable to sweeping applications in hazardous waste and dust environments such as mining, and battery or any other specialised manufacturing operations.
  • In the context of this unit standard sweeping equipment includes but is not limited to hard and soft brooms, mop sweepers and disposable cloth sweeping tools. The range excludes walk-behind mechanical sweepers. 

  • Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Plan and prepare for sweeping floors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal protective equipment is used in accordance with worksite procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasons for using personal protective equipment are explained in terms of General Safety Regulations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of protective clothing includes, but is not limited to, overalls, safety shoes, gloves and dust mask.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Areas to be swept are identified in terms of the scope of work and the cleaning specification. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range includes, but is not limited to building interior floors, exterior paving, patios, parking areas, roads, pavements.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Correct sweeping equipment is selected for the identified areas and reasons for the selection are explained in accordance with worksite procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The range of sweeping equipment includes, but is not limited to, soft and hard brooms, mop sweepers, disposable cloth sweeping tools.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Sweep floors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The floor is swept using a broom in accordance with worksite procedures and basic cleaning principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasons why dirt and litter is swept to a specific point is explained in accordance with worksite procedures and basic cleaning principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The floor is swept using a mop sweeper in accordance with worksite procedures and basic cleaning principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The reasons why mop sweepers cannot be used on rough floor surfaces is explained in accordance with basic cleaning principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The floor is swept using a disposable sweeping cloth and tool in accordance with worksite procedures and basic cleaning principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The use of a disposable sweeping cloth is explained in terms of its hygienic and other characteristics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The methods of using a mop sweeper and a disposable sweeping cloth is demonstrated in accordance with worksite procedures and basic cleaning principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of methods includes, but is not limited to walk behind method and figure of eight method.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Perform end-of task-procedures after sweeping floors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    All areas swept are checked in accordance with the worksite procedure and basic cleaning principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasons for checking the worksite are explained in terms of good customer service. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All waste generated during the sweeping of floors is disposed of in accordance with worksite procedures and environmental principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    All equipment and consumables used for sweeping floors are removed, cleaned and stored in accordance with worksite procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Problems and damage identified during the sweeping of floors are reported, and reasons for doing so are explained in accordance with worksite procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of problems and damage could include, but is not limited to, accidents and personal injury, damaged/missing equipment and/or personal protective equipment; staff problems, customer requirements, the cleaning schedule.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution or provider offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be a constituent assessor registered with the relevant ETQA.
  • Both internal and external moderation of the assessment will be quality assured by the relevant ETQA in accordance with their published policies and procedures. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Basic cleaning principles applicable to sweeping floors. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems that might occur during sweeping of floors such as making adjustments to the cleaning schedule when an area scheduled for sweeping is being occupied. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a cleaning team when sweeping floors. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organize and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively during the processes of preparing, planning and checking the quality when sweeping floors. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and evaluate information relating to cleaning procedures, cleaning frequencies and systematic cleaning during sweeping of floors. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by using oral and/or written language skills when reporting problems and damage when sweeping floors. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by understanding the effectiveness of different sweeping equipment and techniques. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing the importance of planning before sweeping floors. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large by:
  • Participating as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national and global communities by implementing environmental cleaning methods.
  • Being culturally sensitive across a range of social contexts by considering the customer during the sweeping process. 

  • 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 standards:
  • 12527, "Sweep floors", Level 1, 4 credits.
  • 12532, "Clean building surrounds", Level 1, 4 credits.

    Supplementary Information:

    Definition of terms within this unit standard:
  • Access refers to the authority to enter an area to sweep floors without disturbing people in or near that area.
  • Cleaning services environment refers to anywhere where cleaning takes place.
  • Cleaning specification refers to the list of floors to be cleaned and the frequency of cleaning agreed.
  • Disposable sweeping cloth is a is non re-usable cloth designed to pick up and hold dust.
  • Environment (as in 'a residential, commercial, industrial or institutional environment') refers to buildings or structures that contain floors to be swept.
  • Figure of eight method is the sweeping pattern used in either open or congested areas that ensures dust collected is not re-deposited on the floor.
  • Floors include building interior floors, exterior paving, patios, parking areas, roads, pavements.
  • Harmful waste refers to anything that is potentially harmful to the environment or humans, such as broken glass.
  • Hygienic and other characteristics refers to the hygienic advantages of using disposable sweeping cloths and the dust pick up abilities of the disposable sweeping cloths.
  • Mop sweeper refers to a sweeping tool fitted with a removable sleeve suitable for sweeping smooth floor surfaces. The sleeve may be impregnated with a cleaning chemical to improve its dust collection and binding properties.
  • Rough floor surface refers to concrete paving blocks, tarred surfaces, non-slip safety floors.
  • Scope of work refers to the areas with floors that require sweeping.
  • Walk behind method refers to the sweeping pattern used in open areas.
  • Worksite procedure refers to the method of cleaning that has been identified and agreed. 

  • QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  57937   General Education and Training Certificate: Hygiene and Cleaning  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  62709   National Certificate: Service Station Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  W&RSETA 


    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.