SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Analyse radioactive materials

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
123389	Analyse radioactive materials
ORIGINATOR
SGB Radiation Protection
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-
FIELD			SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences			Physical Sciences
ABET BAND	UNIT STANDARD TYPE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Undefined	Regular	Level 4	NQF Level 04	8
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

The purpose of the learning is to ensure the safe analysis of radioactive materials, to determine appropriate action to be taken. Qualitative and quantitative analysis competence is transferable to other areas of learning, and being able to analyse information contributes to general learning processes.

Credited learners are capable of:

Obtaining samples of materials relevant for specific contexts.

Evaluating radioactive material samples against specific criteria.

Documenting results according to given specifications.

Recommending action based on sample material analysis.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that learners have already attained the following competencies:

Computer Literacy at NQF level 3.

Communication at NQF Level 3.

Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3.

Selecting radiation and contaminant measurement instruments for specific contexts (ID Nr 119495).

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

Range statements are included where relevant with specific outcomes and assessment criteria. Radioactive materials analysed can be solid, or airborne, but not liquid. Competence is limited to overview information and does not include functions performed by a specialised radioanalytical laboratory.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Obtain samples of materials relevant for specific contexts.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Most suitable sampling equipment, media, locations and techniques are selected for specific contexts.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Airborne concentrations of radionuclides obtained are relevant in determining the extent of the hazard in specific contexts and/or for the exposure of individuals.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Includes radioactive gases, vapours and gases containing radioactive particles and/or aerosols.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Sampling records are kept according to specified procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Sampling equipment, media and materials are handled and stored according to specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Sampling equipment and media defects are reported according to specified procedures.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Evaluate radioactive material samples against specific criteria.

OUTCOME RANGE

Evaluation includes qualitative and quantitative analysis.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Samples are evaluated against criterion/reference levels.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Samples are evaluated according to given requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Quantitative statistical measurement techniques, counting statistics and calculations selected are relevant for purpose and objectives of evaluations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Quantitative statistical measurements, computation of counting statistics and calculations are accurate.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Analyses are evaluated in terms of objectives and recommendations are made for future improvements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

Analyses are relevant for specific contexts.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Document results according to given specifications.

OUTCOME RANGE

Electronic documentation can be included.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Records of results are accurate.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Results are stored in specified locations, structures and formats.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Pertinent results are stored for future access.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Specified safety and security procedures are adhered to.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Results are disseminated to all relevant persons.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

Legal requirements for documenting results are met.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Recommend action based on sample material analysis.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Recommendations are justified based on results from sample analyses.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Communication of recommendations meets specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Recommendations are recorded as specified.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Recommendations are according to established procedure.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Recommendations are justified in terms of radiological surveillance and protection improvements.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

Assessment of learner achievements takes place at providers accredited by a relevant ETQA (RSA, 1998b) for the provision of programs that result in the outcomes specified for this unit standard.

Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with a relevant ETQA.

Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with a relevant ETQA.

The relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures will oversee moderation of assessment and is responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this unit standard.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

Credited learners understand and can explain:

Sampling equipment, media, locations and techniques, and equipment and media defects.

Radionuclides characteristics and airborne concentrations.

Hazards, their extent and exposure of individuals.

Criterion/reference levels.

Quantitative statistical measurement techniques, counting statistics and calculations.

Legal, safety and security procedures for documenting results.

Radiological surveillance and protection programmes.

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME

N/A

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES

N/A

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING

Identify and solve problems where responses to problems show that such critical and creative thinking has been used to make responsible decisions to recommend action based on sample material analysis.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community when results are disseminated to all relevant persons.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when legal requirements for documenting results are met.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to obtain samples of materials relevant for specific contexts and evaluate radioactive material samples.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

Communicate effectively using visual, mathematic and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation to document results according to given specifications.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when the most suitable sampling equipment, media, locations and techniques are selected for specific contexts.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING

Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when airborne concentrations of radionuclides obtained are relevant in determining the extent of the hazard in specific contexts and/or for the exposure of individuals.

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

Notes to assessors

Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:

Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.

Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the learner is able to perform in the real situation.

Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.

The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.

The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the learner can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.

All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Elective	50329	Further Education and Training Certificate: Radiation Protection	Level 4	NQF Level 04	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	EWSETA

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.

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