SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

National Certificate: Operation of Mobile Explosives Manufacturing Units

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
49555	National Certificate: Operation of Mobile Explosives Manufacturing Units
ORIGINATOR
Chemical Industries SGB
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHIETA - Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National Certificate	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Manufacturing and Assembly
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 3	NQF Level 03	Regular-Unit Stds Based
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 is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
120664	Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Mobile Explosives Manufacturing Unit Controller	Not Applicable	NQF Level 03	120	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose of this qualification

This qualification is used to recognise the competence of people to mix and place bulk explosives through the use of MMUs.
It is achieved through the following exit level outcomes:

Apply knowledge skills and values in the manufacturing and placement of bulk explosives.

Manufacture and placement of bulk explosives by operating a MMU.

Evaluate the effectiveness of work done and the results arising from manufacturing and placement of bulk explosives.

Compliance with these exit level outcomes ensures that the placement of bulk explosives is done in compliance with the relevant legislation, regulations and instructions. It also promotes social development, the minimization of environmental damage, and economic transformation by enabling effective open cast mining and use of bulk explosives in similar industries where rock has to be broken.

Rationale of the qualification

In keeping with their commitment to excellence, manufacturers of explosive materials assume the responsibility for the safe, environmentally sensitive and efficient placement of mixed bulk explosive materials at clients' sites. This work is critical to surface mining and quarrying operations. The knowledge, skills and values needed to carryout this work is considered worthy of national recognition through a national qualification.

The qualification addresses the knowledge, skills and values necessary for the mixing and placing of the bulk explosive products, liaison with the clients, operating, driving and first line maintaining of the Mobile Explosives Manufacturing Unit (MMU), together with quality and related matters. This learning is underpinned by appropriate Mathematical Literacy and Science as applied in the context of explosives and their use.

An individual who qualifies in terms of this qualification will have the ability to carryout bulk explosives placement. This includes the ability to work independently, make judgements and decisions.

The qualification is designed for progression from an entry level in the bulk explosives industry at bulk explosives manufacturing factories or bulk explosives distribution depots. Individuals who have the required driving licence for an MMU and/or competence in open cast mining are also well positioned to register for this qualification.

Options for progression from this qualification are into supervision of distribution and placement or depot supervision. In addition, the qualification can lead to technical advising and technical marketing of explosives.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Learners wishing to register for programmes leading to this qualification are expected to have achieved NQF Level 2 with competence in the following areas:

Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, Communications and Science (applied process chemistry and related technology)

Basic safety

The level and extent of the above learning assumed to be in place should be equivalent to the relevant unit standards used by the chemical industry.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning must be carried out in accordance with the policy and rules specified and used by the ETQA responsible for evaluation of people seeking RPL. This may include a few or all the competencies described in the relevant unit standards. When RPL is recognised the demonstration of competence at, at least one production site is required.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

N/A

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply knowledge, skills and values in the manufacturing and placement of bulk explosives.
2. Manufacture and place bulk explosives by operating a MMU.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of work done and the results arising from the manufacturing operations.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Knowledge of bulk explosives, including understanding of their composition, in the manufacture and placement of bulk explosives is applied to achieve the desired results.

A quality system, as used in bulk explosives placement, is complied with to ensure that the desired results are achieved.
2.

Instructions are interpreted prior to placing explosives.

The site is assessed prior to placing explosives.

A MMU is used to mix and place explosives in accordance with instructions.

Quality checks are conducted to ensure explosive material is correctly placed.
3.

The documentation required for legal, technical and other purposes is completed in accordance with instructions.

The manufacturing and placement activities carried out are compared with instructions and relevant explosives technology.

Integrated Assessment

The applied competence (practical, foundational and reflexive competencies) of this qualification will be achieved when a candidate is able to carryout the activities required to place explosives in accordance with instructions. This is done by operating a MMU, understanding related concepts, applying the relevant technology and evaluating the results of the work done.

Appropriate methods and tools must be used to assess practical, foundational and reflexive competence of the learner in all the exit level outcomes listed above, as well as to determine a learner's ability to solve problems where the solutions are not always obvious, using known technology (including drawing on experience and using instruction manuals). The assessment requires that the work be carried out as part of the greater 'mining/quarrying or construction' team at a client's site. This requires that the candidate organizes him/herself, applies science and understands the implications of actions and reactions in the workplace as a set of related systems. Such a formative assessment process will determine development of the whole person, and the integration of applied knowledge and skills and values.

Assessors should develop, conduct, and ensure integration of assessment by making use of a range of formative and summative assessment methods against the unit standards that form part of the qualification. Combinations of applied, foundational and reflective competencies, including critical cross-field outcomes, should be assessed wherever possible.

Assessment must include workplace/site-based practical work, ensuring that quality of work is done. Minimization of wastage must be emphasized and the effective operation and maintenance of the MMU also requires attention in the assessment process.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

No qualification specific to the Bulk Explosives Industry was found in other qualifications frameworks. The local industry was not able to source equivalent educational qualifications from international associates.

However, this qualification is of a higher standard than the United Kingdom's NVQF qualification for the transport of explosives in that the application of technology required is of a more complex level. More advanced machine operating skills also form part of the qualification.

No equivalent qualification or unit standards were found in the qualifications frameworks of New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, the United Kingdom or American Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

The experts involved in this qualification further commented that this is probably due to the lack of bulk explosive manufacture and placement practiced in countries that have well developed National Qualifications Frameworks. They also commented that South African programmes related to this qualification are used in SADEC.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification articulates horizontally to qualifications relating explosive materials or component manufacture. Qualifications used for horizontal articulation include:

National Certificate in Explosives Manufacturing Operations NQF Level 3
Articulation to other careers and associated qualifications relating to the manufacture of other chemical substances or manufacturing activities are possible. This qualification enables articulation into various road transport learning areas such as the transport of hazardous materials.

Vertical articulation is possible in the explosives industry using the following qualifications:

FETC Supervision of Explosives Placement

MODERATION OPTIONS

Moderators should ensure that assessment is valid, consistent and integrated into work or learning, and that there is sufficient and authenticated evidence of learner competence against the whole qualification. This checking should include confirmation of competence in a production context, over a period of time that is adequate to ensure customer and employer satisfaction with learners who are declared competent.

Anyone moderating the assessment of learners against this qualification must be registered as a moderator with the relevant ETQA.

Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited or recognized as a provider with the relevant ETQA. This accreditation must include both technical and operational/production learning and assessment.

Assessment and moderation will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.

Moderation should encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards, exit level outcomes 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.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

In order to assess this qualification, the assessor needs:

Well developed interpersonal skills, personal credibility, and a record of ethical behaviour

Registration with the relevant Education, Training and Development Practitioners' ETQA as a generic assessor.

Competence against the unit standard 'Plan and conduct assessment of learning outcomes'.

Documentary proof or 'peer/expert' recognition of educational qualification, practical training undergone, and/or experience gained at an appropriate level of bulk explosives manufacture and placement. This must meet the relevant ETQA policies and guidelines.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015.

NOTES

N/A

UNIT STANDARDS:

	ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Core	14783	Conform to and apply legislation and operational instructions in chemical processing	Level 3	NQF Level 03	4
Core	119354	Manufacture and place explosive material using a mobile manufacturing unit	Level 3	NQF Level 03	20
Core	14801	Solve operating problems using process chemistry and related technology	Level 3	NQF Level 03	10
Core	10953	Operate a rigid vehicle	Level 4	NQF Level 04	32
Fundamental	8968	Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	9010	Demonstrate an understanding of the use of different number bases and measurement units and an awareness of error in the context of relevant calculations	Level 3	NQF Level 03	2
Fundamental	9013	Describe, apply, analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts	Level 3	NQF Level 03	4
Fundamental	8969	Interpret and use information from texts	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	9012	Investigate life and work related problems using data and probabilities	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	8973	Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	7456	Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business and national issues	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	8970	Write texts for a range of communicative contexts	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Elective	14784	Apply sampling theory and practice in the chemical industry	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Elective	13221	Perform routine maintenance	Level 2	NQF Level 02	8
Elective	8000	Apply basic business principles	Level 3	NQF Level 03	9
Elective	7995	Communicating and conducting interpersonal relations in industry	Level 3	NQF Level 03	10
Elective	113847	Foster and maintain customer relations	Level 3	NQF Level 03	10
Elective	11913	Obtain and communicate transport operational information	Level 3	NQF Level 03	7
Elective	9913	Perform first line maintenance	Level 3	NQF Level 03	14

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.

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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.

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