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: 

Disperse powders in liquids in a batch process 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243011  Disperse powders in liquids in a batch process 
ORIGINATOR
Chemical Industries SGB 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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 
This unit standard is for learners who operate or intend to operate a batch powder dispersion process in a chemical manufacturing environment to produce product for further processing.

This unit will contribute to the full development of the learner by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the field of manufacturing and assembly. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and contribute to the upliftment and economic growth within the chemical manufacturing environment.

A learner credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Prepare equipment, documentation and self for the dispersion process.
  • Disperse powders in liquids.
  • Conduct dispersing support activities. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Disperse means to break down powder aggregates and agglomerates that have previously been blended in a liquid medium to smaller particle sizes by means of mechanical shear stress machines.
  • Personal protective Equipment (PPE) includes gloves, masks, respirators, aprons, overcoats, safety shoes, ear protection, and eye protection.
  • Relevant legislation means legislation pertaining to the chemical manufacturing environment and includes acts and regulations that control occupational health and safety, water and the environment.
  • Standard operating procedures (SOPs) mean controlled documentation pertaining to the tasks that are specific to the process and/or equipment being used.
  • Instructions include any works instruction, batch cards or process instructions in written format and/or verbal instructions issued by a superior.
  • Good manufacturing practice means that part of Quality Assurance that ensures that a product is manufactured consistently and controlled to quality standards appropriate to its intended use.
  • Operation of any two machines required.
  • Powders include single powders and blends of powders.
  • Materials handled may be hazardous and/or non-hazardous. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare to disperse. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The dispersion equipment is ensured to be ready for use. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Equipment includes one or more of the following machines: high speed rotary disperser/dissolver, ball mills, bead mills, triple or single rollers, tools, vessels personal protective equipment (PPE) and machine safety equipment required for the task.
  • Ready for use means functional, correctly set, safe, clean and vessels and machines are correctly labelled, appropriate services/utilities available, all as per SOP's and/or instructions.
  • Actions to ensure readiness include rectifying or reporting as per company requirements.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate PPE and machine safety equipment are used as and when required as per batch card and/or standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Raw materials and intermediate materials are ensured to be ready for dispersion. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Ready for dispersion means the right quality, quantity and type as per instructions.
  • Ensure means rectifying or reporting non-conformance.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Documentation is completed to accurately reflect the status of the preparation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Consequences of inadequate preparation are described in terms of the effects on quality of product, productivity, cost and safety. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Disperse powders. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The GMP principles carried out prior to and during mixing and dispersion operations are described and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment is started and shut down as and when required according to manufacturing instructions and manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Raw materials are added at the correct time and in the correct sequence, quantities and rates as per given instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of adherence to given instructions is described in terms of the potential effect on product quality, resource optimization, customer satisfaction and business. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Equipment is adjusted if and when required and continually monitored to ensure effective operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Common problems associated with the equipment are identified and methods for prevention and correction are explained in line with manufacturer's guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Site-specific health and safety requirements are adhered to throughout dispersion. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Health and safety relates to use of appropriate PPE, safe materials handling, safe working practices and equipment operation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Dispersion is completed within stipulated time frames as per instructions and to meet controllable product specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Controllable product specifications could include fineness of grind, viscosity and/or other characteristics such as are applicable to the product.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Conduct dispersing support activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Samples are taken and labelled using prescribed procedures as and when required. Explanations are provided concerning the basics of good sampling techniques. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Good sampling techniques relate to methods of obtaining representative samples, timing and quantity of sample.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Documentation is completed to reflect the status of each stage and submitted to designated personnel as per company specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The product is secured for further processing as per instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Equipment, site and self are cleaned as and when required in accordance with site specific standard operating practices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Raw material packaging and waste are sorted and/or disposed of according to standard operating procedures. 


    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.
  • The relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body will oversee assessment and moderation of assessment, 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 of the unit standard, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the Unit Standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Procedures necessary to prepare for dispersion of powders.
  • Mixing and dispersion of powders in accordance with GMP.
  • Supporting procedures following completion of the dispersion process. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which response displays that responsible decisions, using critical and creative thinking, have been made.
  • Process of dispersing powders, and the support activities.

    Evident in specific outcomes:
  • Prepare to disperse.
  • Disperse powders.
  • Conduct dispersing support activities. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community - evident in the preparation to disperse and dispersion support activities.

    Evident in specific outcomes:
  • Prepare to disperse.
  • Disperse powders. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • At each stage of the dispersion process there is a need to collect, analyse and critically evaluate information.

    Evident in specific outcomes:
  • Prepare to disperse.
  • Disperse powders.
  • Conduct dispersing support activities. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by using mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.
  • Reports need to be read at preparation stage, and produced following the sampling of product.

    Evident in specific outcomes:
  • Prepare to disperse.
  • Conduct dispersing support activities. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • All three specific outcomes in this unit standard point to the learner being able to use science and technology effectively and critically.

    Evident in specific outcomes:
  • Prepare to disperse.
  • Disperse powders.
  • Conduct dispersing support activities. 
    		•

    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.
  • Consequences of poor preparation and poor dispersion technique will lead to poor product; under-communication will cause systemic problems.

    Evident in specific outcomes:
  • Prepare to disperse.
  • Disperse powders.
  • Conduct dispersing support activities. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large.
  • A learner found competent against this unit standard will have developed personally and will have assisted the social and economic development of the society at large.

    Evident in specific outcomes:
  • Prepare to disperse.
  • Disperse powders.
  • Conduct dispersing support activities. 
    		•

    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
    Core  57879   National Certificate: Manufacturing of Surface Coatings  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CHIETA 


    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.