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: 

Demonstrate an understanding of Occupational Hygiene 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
259609  Demonstrate an understanding of Occupational Hygiene 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Occupational Health and Safety 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Preventive Health 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  9 
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 
This unit standard is for persons who are entering employment and need to know the basics of Occupational Hygiene.

Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Explain the concept of Occupational Hygiene in the working place.
  • Describe recognised environmental factors which influence workplace conditions.
  • Explain the maintenance of acceptable occupational hygiene conditions in the work place.
  • Explain how to deal with abnormal occupational hygiene conditions in the work place. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 1.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the concept of Occupational Hygiene. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of Occupational Hygiene discipline is described according to accepted current legislative standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Environmental factors affecting Occupational Hygiene are described in terms of their characteristics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Sources of workplace contaminants are described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The effects of hazardous environmental conditions are explained in terms of the safety and health of workers. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe recognised environmental factors which influence the workplace. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The four principal environmental factors that can affect well-being in the work place are described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effects of non-chemical physical environmental factors on persons in the work place are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Heat, cold, vibration, noise, ventilation, illumination, ionising and non-ionising radiation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The impact of chemical environmental factors on persons in the work place is explained and examples of chemical pollutants are given. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Dusts (particle size), gases include but are not limited to:
  • Oxygen (O2) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Methane (CH4), vapours and fluids.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The influence of ergonomic environmental factors on the work place and on persons are explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Work tolerance, fatigue, work/rest schedules.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Biological environmental factors are explained and their effect on persons and work places are described with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Fungi, bacteria, algae and viruses.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the control of factors influencing occupational hygiene conditions in the working place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Three different measuring techniques are described to evaluate and measure environmental factors which may affect the work place. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Personal, environmental and special monitoring.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The role of good house keeping in the maintenance of clean occupational hygiene conditions in the work place is explained in terms of the consequences to health and safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of controlling and containing factors at source that may adversely influence occupational hygiene conditions is explained with the use of examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Predetermined rotation of workers and the provision of personal protective equipment are explained in terms of minimising worker exposure to hazards in the workplace. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The role of improving the work environment is explained in terms of reducing secondary stress. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The need to ventilate a work place is explained in terms of occupational hygiene. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain how to deal with abnormal occupational hygiene conditions in the working place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Dangers and hazards in the work place that could lead to an emergency situation are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The action to be taken when environmental conditions do not conform to specified requirements is described in terms of a predetermined plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The appropriate escape strategy procedures during an emergency are explained and applicable safety officers are identified. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard 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 unit standard 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 with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and. guidelines for assessment and. Moderation.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard 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 embedded knowledge will be assessed in an integrated way in the context of the unit standard:
  • Characteristics and occurrences of environmental factors.
  • Types of detection and measurement methodologies for environmental factors.
  • Limitations of various detection and measuring methodologies.
  • Effects that specified environmental factors have on the health and safety of people.
  • Importance of evaluating for environmental factors.
  • Circumstances that necessitate evaluation of environmental factors.
  • Use of instruments and accessories.
  • Instruments' and their accessories' principle of operation, range, use and limitations.
  • Importance of examining and calibrating instruments.
  • Safe handling and use of specified instruments.
  • Consequences for health, safety and productivity of dealing with defective and used equipment, continuously assessing health and safety hazards and risks, dangers of accessing sites without meeting access requirements, examining and correctly using personal protective equipment, testing for gas according to specified requirements, compliance with exposure levels, dealing with conditions, environmental factors, and limitations that can influence readings, evaluating test results and taking appropriate action.
  • Occupational exposure limits and limits for temperatures.
  • Action to be taken when temperatures are encountered outside legal exposure levels.
  • Conditions, environmental factors, and limitations that can influence readings. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Solve problems:
  • The ability of the candidate to identify anomalous conditions and deviations in environmental conditions in the working place and reporting contributes to his/her problem solving ability. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of team/group/organisation/community:
  • The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept and interpret work instructions correctly and to delegate work instructions, in an appropriate manner, indicates that he/she can work effectively as a team member in the bigger organisational structure. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively:
  • As part of the team the individual will take into account the activities around him/her and ensure that his/her actions are complementary. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • The ability of the learner to reconcile the information received from co-workers with actual facts will indicate proficiency in collecting, organising and critically evaluating information. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematics and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentations:
  • The understanding of measuring and monitoring strategies requires the individual to communicate effectively with other groups. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically:
  • The ability of the candidate to adhere to health, safety and environmental requirements and show responsibility to the environment and health of others illustrates his/her capability to use science and technology effectively. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems.
  • The individual understands the impact of his participation in the overall objective. 
    		•

    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 
    Specified Requirements:

    Specified requirements include legal and site-specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:

    Legal:
  • Relevant current legislation, regulations and directives pertaining to mining and occupational health and safety.

    Site-Specific Requirements:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • List of Recorded OH and S Risks.
  • Working Guides.
  • 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  74269   National Certificate: Occupational Health, Safety and Environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-07-30  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.