SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD:

Sweep floors
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
12527 Sweep floors
SGB NAME REGISTERING PROVIDER
SGB Hygiene & Cleaning Services
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Personal Care
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD NQF LEVEL CREDITS
TYPE
Undefined Regular Level 1 4
REGISTRATION REGISTRATION REGISTRATION SAQA
STATUS START DATE END DATE DECISION
NUMBER
Registered 2002-08-14 2005-08-14 SAQA 0643/02

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

Learners working towards this standard will be learning towards the full qualification, or
will be involved in or working within a cleaning services environment. Qualifying learners
are able to sweep floors in a commercial, industrial, food handling, domestic and hospital
and waste cleaning environment.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR

LEARNING
The learner has the speaking and listening ability equal to an ABET Level 1 Com 101
standard and/or any other communication skill that will enable him/her to confirm the
knowledge and skills required by this unit standard.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

1. The scope of this unit standard is for any person who needs to sweep a floor. This unit
standard is not applicable to sweeping applications in hazardous waste and dust
environments such as mining, battery and other specialised manufacturing operations.
2. Sweeping equipment in the context of this unit standard includes but is not limited to
brooms, mop sweepers, disposable cloth sweeping tools and walk behind non-motorised
sweepers.
3. Litter includes but is not limited to discarded paper, cardboard, cans, twine, strapping,
packaging tape and any large items that can not be removed during the sweeping process.
4. The level assigned to this unit standard is appropriate because the process is limited in
range, very repetitive and familiar, no generation of new ideas are needed and the person
has no responsibility for the learning of others.
RANGE STATEMENTS WHICH REFER TO ASSESSMENT CRITERIA IN THIS UNIT
STANDARD

1. Operating instructions refers to the manufacturer`s operating instruction or an extract

thereof.
2. Safety equipment can include but is not limited to: disposable gloves, masks, etc.
3. Rough floor surfaces include but are not limited to: concrete paving blocks, tarred
surfaces, non-slip safety floors etc.
4. Smooth floor surfaces include but are not limited to: vinyl, polished marble and granite
etc.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1
Prepare to sweep a floor.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1
1. Selects the correct sweeping equipment.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES
Assessed according to worksite procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2
2. Explains why s/he needs to select the correct sweeping equipment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3
3. Selects correct shoes and safety equipment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4
4. Explains why the correct shoes and safety equipment needs to be selected.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5
5. Picks up litter that is on the surface to be swept.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6
6. Explains the planning of the sweeping procedure.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7
7. Explains the importance of not disrupting people or vehicles.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8
8. Explains why a wet surface cannot be swept.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9
9. Explains why s/he has to pick up litter before sweeping.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2
Sweep the floor using a broom.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1
1. Sweeps the floor.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES
Assessed according to worksite procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2
2. Removes the debris swept.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES
Assessed according to worksite procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3
3. Explains why debris is swept to a specific point for removal.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4
4. Inspects the quality of work continuously.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5
5. Explains why s/he needs to inspect the quality of work.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3
Sweep the floor using a mop sweeper.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1
1. Fits a clean mop sweeper sleeve.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2
2. Mop sweeps the floor using the walk behind method of sweeping.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3
3. Explains why mop sweepers cannot be used on rough floor surfaces.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4
4. Explains why it is important to use a clean mop sweeper sleeve.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5
5. Explains why the mop sweeper must be used sweeping in one direction only.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6
6. Explains why a push/pull motion must not be used when mop sweeping.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7
7. Explains how a push/pull motion causes disturbance of dust when mop sweeping.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8
8. Removes the debris swept.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES
Assessed according to worksite procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9
9. Explains why debris is swept to a specific point for removal.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10
10. Inspects the quality of work continuously.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11
11. Explains why s/he needs to inspect quality of work.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 12
12. Washes the dirty mop sweeper or hands it in for laundering.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES
Assessed according to worksite procedures.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4
Sweep the floor using a disposable dust sweeping cloth.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1
1. Fits the correct disposable dust sweeping cloth.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2
2. Sweeps the floor using the walk behind or figure eight method of sweeping.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3
3. Explains why the walk behind or figure eight sweeping method must be used.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4
4. Explains why a push / pull motion must not be used.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5
5. Checks the build-up of dust and dirt on the cloth.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6
6. Re-positions the cloth when the surface used is dirty.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7
7. Disposes of cloth when the whole cloth is dirty.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8
8. Inspects the quality of work continuously.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9
9. Explains why disposable dust sweeping cloth cannot be used on rough floor surfaces.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10
10. Explains why the correct disposable dust sweeping cloth must be used.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11
11. Explains how the disposable dust sweeping cloth picks up dust and other loose dirt.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 12
12. Explains what would happen if you allowed too much dust and loose dirt to collect on
the cloth.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 13
13. Explains the reasons for re-positioning the cloth.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 14
14. Explains the reasons for disposing of the cloth.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 15
15. Explains why disposable dust sweeping cloths cannot be washed and reused.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 16
16. Explains why s/he need to inspect quality of work

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5
Sweep the floor using a walk behind non-motorised sweeper.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1
1. Checks that the main broom and side broom are adjusted according to the operating
instruction.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2
2. Explains why the main broom and side broom must be adjusted.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3
3. Sweeps the floor.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES
Assessed according to worksite procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4
4. Does not use the side broom when sweeping open areas.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5
5. Explains why the side broom is not used when sweeping open areas.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6
6. Uses the side broom when sweeping against walls and in gutters.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7
7. Explains why the side broom is used when sweeping against walls and in gutters.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8
8. Removes and replaces the dirt hopper according to the operating instruction.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9
9. Explains why the dirt hopper must be emptied.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10
10. Explains how the walk behind sweeper`s brushes and wheels could be jammed by
twine, strapping and packaging tape etc.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11
11. Inspects the quality of work continuously.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 12
12. Explains why s/he need to inspect quality of work.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6
Perform end of task procedure for floor sweeping.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1
1. Disposed of waste according to environmental principles.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES
Assessed according to worksite procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2
2. Cleans equipment.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES
Assessed according to worksite procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3
3. Stores equipment.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES
Assessed according to worksite procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4
4. Explains why waste should be disposed of according to environmental principles.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5
5. Explains how to handle harmful waste.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6
6. Explains why equipment must be cleaned before storage.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7
7. Explains the reporting procedure for faulty equipment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8
8. Explains why equipment must be stored.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

1. An assessor accredited by the Services SETA ETQA will assess the competency.
2. Assessment procedures will be supplied to the ETQA in alignment with NSB
requirements.
3. All assessment activities must be fair so that all candidates can have equal opportunities.
4. Assessment will be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
5. Questions and answers must determine the theoretical knowledge.
6. Direct observation, preferably in the workplace, or as a second choice in simulated
conditions are preferred.
7. A practical demonstration of competencies is required in this unit standard.
8. Reporting skills are demonstrated by effective communication that may be verbal or any
other agreed upon method.
9. Internal Moderation
10. External Moderation

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

On completion the learner can understand and apply knowledge as described in the
assessment criteria of all the outcomes.

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. Evident in:

Prepare to sweep a floor.

Sweep the floor using a broom.
Sweep the floor using a mop sweeper.
Sweep the floor using a disposable dust sweeping cloth.
Sweep the floor using a walk behind non-motorised sweeper.
Perform end of task procedure for floor sweeping.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANIZING

Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively Evident in:
 Prepare to sweep a floor.
Sweep the floor using a broom.
Sweep the floor using a mop sweeper.
Sweep the floor using a disposable dust sweeping cloth.
Sweep the floor using a walk behind non-motorised sweeper.
Perform end of task procedure for floor sweeping.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the
environment and health of others. Evident in:

Prepare to sweep a floor.

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. Evident in:

Prepare to sweep a floor.

Sweep the floor using a broom.
Sweep the floor using a mop sweeper.
Sweep the floor using a disposable dust sweeping cloth.
Sweep the floor using a walk behind non-motorised sweeper.
Perform end of task procedure for floor sweeping.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING

In order to 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. Evident in:

Prepare to sweep a floor.

Sweep the floor using a broom.
Sweep the floor using a mop sweeper.
Sweep the floor using a disposable dust sweeping cloth.
Sweep the floor using a walk behind non-motorised sweeper.
Perform end of task procedure for floor sweeping.

UNIT STANDARD NOTES

DEFINITION OF TERMS WITHIN THIS UNIT STANDARD

Definition of terms within this unit standard:

1. Debris: Dry soil, dust and small items of litter
2. Dirt hopper: The dirt container on a walk behind non-motorised sweeper
3. Disposable dust sweeping cloth: A cloth impregnated with a dust-binding chemical
4. Figure eight method: Describes the sweeping pattern used in either open or congested
areas.
5. Harmful waste: Anything that is potentially harmful to the environment or human, such
as broken glass
6. Mop sweeper: A sweeping tool fitted with a removable mop sleeve suitable for
sweeping smooth floor surfaces. The sleeve may be impregnated with oil to improve its
dust binding properties.
7. Walk behind method: Describes the sweeping pattern used in open areas.

According to the Sub-Com the title should be Sweep Floors using commercial equipment
and not Sweep Floors as reflected on the NLRD. No changes have been made on the NLRD
- MC 9 November 2004 - Authority Minutes 43