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 security in retail, wholesale and related distribution environments 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257256  Demonstrate an understanding of security in retail, wholesale and related distribution environments 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Security 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 directly and indirectly involved in the retail, wholesales and related distribution environments. Persons directly involved would include but not be limited to persons such as managers and supervisors. Persons indirectly involved would include but not be limited to be persons such as security officers. Learners will gain a practical knowledge of the security and safety fundamentals which are applied in shops, supermarkets, chain stores, wholesale outlets and distribution centres.

The qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Explain the fundamental theory of retail and distribution security.
  • Deal with safety threats in a retail or distribution environment.
  • Provide customer service in a retail or distribution environment.
  • Explain the handling of suspects in a retail or distribution environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3.
  • Communication at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Retail Security may include but is not limited to security directly related to shops, supermarkets, chain stores, wholesale outlets.
  • Retail Distribution Security may include but is not limited to retail and/or wholesale distribution warehouses. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the fundamental theory of retail and distribution security. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation is given of search and arrest powers in terms of how and when these are applied in the retail or distribution work areas. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Arrest powers must include but are not limited to legal limitations, permitted actions and may include operational requirements.
  • Search powers must include but are not limited to consent, reasons, legal limitations, permitted actions, recording and reporting.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An explanation is given of intent to commit a crime. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Intent must include but is not limited to proof of intent, suspicion of intent, actions considered to be intent.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An explanation is given of the fundamental principles of deterrence versus reaction in the retail and distribution sectors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Deterrence must include but is not limited to presenting a professional image, being alert at all times, concentration on the prevention of crime and actions that prevent crime.
  • Reaction must include but is not limited to identifying when a crime has been committed and actions on the suspected commissioning of a crime.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A description is given of retail and distribution processes in terms of how these can assist the security officer in the prevention and detection of crime. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Retail and distribution processes must include but is not limited to receiving procedures, dispatch procedures, till procedures, cashing up procedures, merchandising procedures, goods flow and basic principles of cash management.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    An explanation is given of the fundamental principles of shrinkage in the retail and distribution environments. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Fundamental principles of shrinkage must include but are not limited to types of shrinkage, internal theft and external theft and may include paperwork errors and vendor fraud.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    A description is given of retail and distribution equipment used for security and safety purposes in terms of uses and limitations to assist in combating crime. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment used for security and safety purposes must include but is not limited to electronic article surveillance, closed circuit television systems, closed circuit television point of sale systems, fire detection equipment and fire extinguishing equipment.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Security and safety equipment is used in a retail and distribution contexts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment must include but is not limited to scales, access control equipment, key control systems, intruder alarms (arming/disarming and panic equipment) and fire control panel indication equipment.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    An explanation is given as to the safe storage of firearms for staff and visitors in terms of legal requirements, methods and organisational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain safety threats in a retail or distribution environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A description is given of the importance of identifying and solving workplace hazards and fire threats. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Workplace hazards must include but are not limited to slippery floors, sharp edges, packing equipment not in use and badly packed shelves and displays, overloading plug points, worn electrical leads and damaged goods handling equipment.
  • Fire threats must include but are not limited to flammable materials, obstruction to smoke detectors and manual call points, blocked stairwells and escape routes and irregular stacking procedures.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An explanation is given of procedures to be followed in the event of an alarm. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Alarm may include but is not limited to fire alarm, burglar alarm, fridge alarm and gas alarm.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An evacuation is explained according to evacuation procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Provide customer service in a retail or distribution environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation is given of the importance of security officers operating as part of the retail or distribution team in order to enhance service to the organisation, customers and other team members. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An explanation is given as to the customer service related reasons for knowing the environment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The environment must include but is not limited to locations of products, services, facilities, first aid stations, manual fire call points, fire extinguishing equipment and the wider environment like shopping centres, other companies in the area.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Customers with special needs are identified and assisted in a manner that maintains the customer's dignity. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Special needs may include but are not limited to hearing impaired, sight impaired, customers in wheel chairs and other physical impairments.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain the handling of suspects in a retail or distribution environment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Suspect includes any person who on reasonable grounds of suspicion is suspected of having committed a crime. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation is given of the impact of wrongful arrest. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An explanation is given of the process of detaining in terms of the rights of the suspect and limits of authority. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Rights of the suspects may include but are not limited to Constitutional Rights.
  • Limits of authority may include but are not limited to legal parameters and organisational requirements.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Organisational policy and workplace procedures related to security and safety.
  • Code of conduct.
  • The concept of service excellence.
  • Job description/role description.
  • The concept of good housekeeping.
  • Safe firearm and ammunition storage practices.
  • Basic OHS requirements and safe work practices.
  • Basic knowledge of the Criminal Procedure Act. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Dealing with safety threats in a retail or distribution environment.
  • Providing customer service in a retail or distribution environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during:
  • Safety threats in a retail or distribution environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Dealing with safety threats in a retail or distribution environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Dealing with safety threats in a retail or distribution environment.
  • Providing customer service in a retail or distribution environment. 
    		•

    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  57713   Further Education and Training Certificate: Specialist Security Practices  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    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.