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 QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Occupational Certificate: Rock Drill Operator 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99252  Occupational Certificate: Rock Drill Operator 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - MQA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  30  Not Applicable  NQF Level 02  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Rock Drill Operator.
A Rock Drill Operator operates a hand-held rock drill, to drill holes and perform related operations. The qualifying learner will know the function and operating requirements for the machine, including health, safety and the environment and will be able to operate the machine productively and safely.

A qualified learner will be able to operate a hand-held rock drill for mining or construction operations.

Rationale:
Various industry sectors use drilling machines. In particular, hand-held rock-drilling operations are an essential part of the construction and mining sectors. South African legislation requires persons to be properly trained and assessed competent before operating machines.
This qualification will train and develop the qualifying learner with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to ensure the hand-held rock drills are operated productively and safely. This qualification will also improve the standard of training and assessment, which will lead to better operations and improved safety. The qualification will also improve the mobility of learners in terms of employment. The career progression for hand-held rock drill operators will be to other machine operator specialisations and to occupations in operations, engineering or training. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment:
Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

RPL for access to the qualification:
Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

Entry Requirements:
  • Any NQF Level 1 qualification with Mathematical Literacy. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Skill, Practical Skills and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 711302000-KM-01, Health, safety and the environment, Level 2, 6 Credits.
  • 711302000-KM-02, Operations and machines, Level 2, 7 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 13.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 711302000-PM-01, Work safely and respond to emergencies, Level 2, 1 Credit.
  • 711302000-PM-02, Perform pre-operational activities, Level 2, 3 Credits.
  • 711302000-PM-03, Operate machine, Level 2, 4 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 8.

    This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Module:
  • 711302000-WM-01, Operational hand-held rock drilling, NQF Level 2, 9 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 9. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Carry-out start and end-of-shift procedures and checks, in accordance with machine specifications, operating standards, systems and procedures.
    2. Operate and use the hand-held rock drill, in accordance with the operating requirements and carry out drilling operations.
    3. Work safely, applying operational requirements. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The start and end-of-shift procedures in rock-drilling are completed.
  • Operational checks on rock-drilling are carried out according to procedures.
  • An understanding of the purpose of all the checks is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The correct sequence of operations is followed.
  • The machine is operated and used within specified limits.
  • Any defects, damage or deviations are identified and reported and the machine is shut down or isolated in a safe manner.
  • Changes in the environment or conditions are identified and reported as continuous risk assessment.
  • Man-machine interfaces are controlled safely and effectively.
  • Production targets are met.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The importance of identifying and responding to various kinds of hazard is explained.
  • The process on how to respond to emergencies when the need arises is executed.
  • Legal and procedural compliance with regard to the operation of the machine and working safely are adhered to.
  • Relevant safety, health and environmental requirements are met.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment is conducted through the Assessment Quality Partner which is a required for the issuing of this qualification. The external assessment will cover the following focus areas: Carry out start and end-of-shift activities, Operate the machine, Work safely. The external assessment will consist of an evaluation of records and questioning by a registered assessor using specified assessment criteria requirements. The assessor will not have been directly involved in the training or internal assessment of the candidate. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Drilling machines are used widely in the construction and mining sectors. The countries selected for comparison are Australia and New Zealand.
    Similar qualifications are:
  • Australia:
    RII20909 - Certificate II in Drilling Operations (AQV Australian Level 2).
    RII31809 - Certificate III in Drilling Operations (AQV Australian Level 2).

    The Certificates contain similar modules, namely maintain workplace safety, identify and minimise environmental hazards and conduct drilling. The level of complexity is comparable to the NQF Level 2. However, the structure of the Certificates is broader than this qualification. The Certificate II is applicable to a broad range of Driller Assistants, whereas the Certificate III includes learning in the South African qualification for Team Leader/NQF 2 Mining Operations, which is the vertical articulation for the Rock Drill Operator. The duration of the individual modules is equivalent to this qualification.
  • New Zealand:
    The following qualifications are offered in New Zealand:
  • The National Certificate in Extractive Industries (Operations) (Level 3), with specialitisations in Coal Plant, Drilling Surface, Drilling Underground, Maintenance Operations, and Metalliferous Processing.
  • National Certificate in Drilling - Non-hydrocarbon (Driller) (Level 3), with optional strands in Environmental/Geotechnical, and Water Well. 90 Credits.
  • National Certificate in Civil Construction Works (Horizontal Directional Drilling), (Level 3) with strands in Driller, Tracker, and Site Supervisor.

    The Certificates contain similar modules, namely occupational health and safety practice and conduct conventional core drilling/ conduct drilling operations. However, as with the Australian Certificates, the qualification contains learning that is included in the South African equivalent qualification of Team Leader/NQF 2 Mining Operations, which is the vertical articulation for the Rock Drill Operator.

    Conclusion:
    Australia and New Zealand do not specialise in Hand Held Rock Drill Operators, as is the case in the South African mining sector. However, the content and complexity of the common modules compare closely with each other so this qualification can be said to include internationally comparable learning and skills development in the rock drilling environment. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal
    This qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualification:
  • Occupational Certificate: Driller, NQF Level 2
    Vertical
    This qualification articulates vertically with the following qualification:
  • Occupational Certificate: Exploration Driller, NQF Level 3
  • Occupational Certificate: Directional Driller, NQF Level 3 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:

    In order to qualify for the external summative assessment learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of a statement of results and a signed Statement of Work Experience.

    Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:

    Physical requirements: Meet health and medical requirements Legal requirements: Operator specific requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act or Mine Health and Safety Act, as applicable.

    Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers:

    Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) website.

    The curriculum title and code is: Rock Drill Operator and 711302000.

    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the National Learners Records Database (NLRD):
  • This is not a trade.

    Part Qualifications:
    None. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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.