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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: 

Identify hazardous ground conditions in a surface mine and take appropriate action to safeguard persons, machinery and equipment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120435  Identify hazardous ground conditions in a surface mine and take appropriate action to safeguard persons, machinery and equipment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Mining and Minerals 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  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 will be useful to people who are responsible for the identification of and dealing with hazardous ground conditions to safeguard persons, machinery and equipment.

People credited with this Unit Standard are able to:
  • Prepare to identify hazardous ground conditions.
  • Initiate appropriate action.
  • Monitor hazardous ground conditions. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication and Computer Literacy at NQF Level 1.
  • Strata identification at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify hazardous ground conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazardous geological conditions are identified in accordance with the prescribed requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of geological conditions must include:
  • Jointing
  • Faults
  • Dykes and Sills
  • Key blocks
  • Bedding planes
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The work area is examined and the hazards of mining induced ground conditions and the influence that they may have on rock strata in open pit mines. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of mining induced ground conditions must include:
  • Bed separation
  • Fracturing
  • Loose rocks
  • Bench and slope failure
  • Weak material
  • Deterioration over time
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Preparation work is performed in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Consequences of inadequate preparation are described in terms of potential effects on safety, health and production. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The effects that ground water, rainfall, water ciphering, blasting and incorrect mining methods have on rock strata, is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Rockfall protection is put in place in terms of the required distances, sizes and heights. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of rockfall protections must include:
  • Catchment berms
  • Protection berms
  • Fences
  • Support
  • Drainage
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Initiate appropriate action to safeguard persons, machinery and equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    People and equipment are evacuated from the hazardous area in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Barricades are erected to safeguard persons and machines from hazardous conditions in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Guards are placed on access roads where applicable in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Audible alarm is activated in accordance with specified requirements where applicable. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Inspection of hazardous conditions is conducted in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The reporting and recording of hazardous conditions, unsafe acts and incidents relating to persons and machines are consistent with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Feedback is provided to the incoming shift with regards with regards to conditions, environmental hazard and sub standard conditions in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Recording and reporting are conducted in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Recording and reporting include:
  • Reporting to supervisor
  • Submitting reports
  • Logbook entry
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Monitor hazardous ground conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The hazardous area is continuously monitored and safety hazards are reported in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Occupational environmental elements are monitored and hazards are reported in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Occupational and environmental elements include the following:
  • Dust
  • Water
  • Illumination
  • Noise
  • Fire and weather conditions
  • Fumes/smoke
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification 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.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, 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 at exit points of the Qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual Unit Standards as well as the integrated competence described in the Qualification.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this Qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Knowledge relating to the method of identifying hazardous ground conditions.
  • Knowledge relating to understanding the factors that contributes to hazardous ground conditions.
  • Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Issues.
    > Significant hazards and risks related to determining identifying hazardous ground .conditions, their consequences and mitigating actions.
    > PPE requirements and the reason for each.
    > Impact on the environment and mitigating actions.
    > Emergency procedures.
  • Communication.
    > Reporting requirements and ability.
    > Communicating with relevant personnel. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
  • The ability of the candidate to identify substandard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept and interpret work instructions correctly. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage himself/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively.
  • The ability of the candidate to indicate what methods, tools and personal protective equipment are required, and to communicate to fellow workers his / her intentions and the assistance required. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • The ability of the candidate to reconcile the information from visual and physical examinations and constantly evaluate the changing situation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written presentations.
  • The appropriate communication with the relevant personnel with regard to the reporting of hazards and substandard conditions will indicate his / her proficiency in effective communication. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, thus showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • The use of science and technology is not relevant for this unit standard. 
    		•

    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.
  • The ability of the candidate to identify and refer anomalous behaviour to a specialist confirms his/her understanding of the fact that a specific observation, inference, action or decision may have a devastating effect. 
    		•

    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 
    Terminology:

    Specified requirements include legal and site-specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:

    Legal:
  • Relevant Acts, e.g. Mine Health & Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act No. 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SABS and other relevant standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.
  • Minerals Act and Regulation (Act 50 of 1991).

    Site-specific:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks.
  • Working Guides.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications.
  • Voluntary Codes of Practice.

    Motivation:

    Even though there are less than four specific outcomes in this unit standard it represents a whole competency. It is NOT merely a description of tasks, jobs or procedures but it focuses on outcomes of activity. It also has a broad application across a range of contexts as stipulated in the unit standard.

    In addition this unit standard is considered as a milestone of learning in the sector. It is worth recognizing in its own right, as it is attributable to and achievable by an individual.

    This unit standard is fit-for-purpose for the sector and the specific outcomes jointly meet all the competence requirements of the title of the standard.

    In addition the unit standard has been integrated to avoid artificial distinctions between activities/processes.

    Unit standard justification:
  • Attribute,Level,Justification.
  • Skills,2,Moderate in range.
  • Procedures,3,Established and familiar.
  • Context,2,Range of familiar.
  • Knowledge,2,Some relevant theoretical.
  • Information processing,2,Basic processing of readily available information.
  • Problem Solving,2,Known solutions to familiar problems.
  • Orientation of activities,3,Directed.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility,2,Some responsibility for quantity and quality, and possible responsibility for guiding others.
  • Application of responsibility,2,Under general supervision and quality control.

    Average Level: 20/9 = 2.22 Actual Levels Assigned: 2

    Credits:

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:
  • Activity, hours
  • Classroom Teaching, 20
  • On-The-Job Training, 18
  • Total, 38

    Credits Achieved: 38/10 = 3.8 Actual Credits Assigned: 4 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  64909   National Certificate: Small Scale Mining  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 


    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.