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 a basic understanding of the causes of falls of ground 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115750  Demonstrate a basic understanding of the causes of falls of ground 
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 3  NQF Level 03  2 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2007-04-03  2008-08-20  SAQA 0160/05 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2009-08-20   2012-08-20  

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 is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
256851  Demonstrate an understanding of the causes of falls of ground  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who are exposed to falls of ground hazards.

People credited with this unit standard are able to
  • Demonstrate basic understanding of planes that create loose rock;
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify potential falls of ground;
  • Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate remedial measures;
  • Record and report potential falls of ground.

    The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and contribute to the upliftment and economic growth of the mining and minerals sector

    This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and understanding to Identify and Demonstrate a basic understanding of the causes of falls of ground in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • National Certificate in Mining (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 
    Demonstrate basic understanding of planes that create loose rock. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The types of planes forming the boundaries of loose rock are listed 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Faults, dykes, bedding planes and layering, joints and veins
  • Stress fractures, blast induced fractures
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The properties of bounding planes that influences the stability of potentially loose rock are listed and described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Roughness, filling, presence of water
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The factors that control the size and shape of loose rock are described 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Dip and dip direction
  • Intersection of multiple planes
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate the ability to identify potential falls of ground. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The methods used to identify loose rocks are described 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Visual examination, sounding, instrumentation
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The support in the immediate area of the potentially loose rock is assessed and the consequences explained 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Quality of installation
  • Spacing
  • Premature failure of support
  • Position
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effects of improper identification of loose rock(s) are explained 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate remedial measures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The appropriate remedial measures are described 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Barring
  • Blasting down
  • Supporting
  • Barricading
  • Withdrawing personnel
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The appropriate remedial action is selected for the specific condition encountered and described 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of not adequately instituting remedial measures are explained 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Record and report potential falls of ground. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Observations and evaluations are recorded and presented in accordance with mine specifications 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The relevant personnel are informed of the potential for falls of ground effectively and timeously. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of not communicating the potential for falls of ground are explained 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.

    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Health and safety 
    		•

    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.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to identify loose rock and select appropriate remedial actions confirms. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
    Note: Effective mitigation of falls of ground requires a team-based approach. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
    Note: The sourcing of information relating to the candidates working environment and relating the characteristics of this environment to potential falls of ground sites confirms. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    Note: The candidate must be able to collect and analyse data relating to the factors that could influence falls of ground specific to the mine. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically show responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
    Note: Understanding of potential causes of falls of ground is a step towards mitigating the risks associated with falls of ground and hence intrinsically shows responsibility towards the health and safety of oneself and others. 

    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.
    Note: The direct or indirect relationship between most aspects of mining and falls of ground confirms. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember, we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence - of the prescribed type and quality as specified in this unit standard - that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well-documented principles of assessment, namely appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 256851, which is "Demonstrate an understanding of the causes of falls of ground", Level 4, 3 credits.

    Terminology

    Specified requirements

    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

    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

    Unit standard justification

    Level

    Attribute-Level-Justification
    Skills-3-Well-developed range
    Procedures-2-Established and familiar.
    Context-3-Range of familiar.
    Knowledge-3-Some relevant theoretical
    Information processing-2-Basic processing of readily available information
    Problem Solving-3-A range of known responses to familiar problems, base on limited discretion and judgement.
    Orientation of activities-3-Directed, with some autonomy.
    Application of responsibility-3-Significant responsibility for the quantity and quality of output, and possible responsibility for the output of others
    Orientation of scope of responsibility-4-Under broad guidance and evaluation.

    Average level: = 2.89
    Actual level assigned: = 3

    Credits

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:

    Activity-Hours
    Classroom Teaching-8
    On-The-Job Training-16
    Mentoring required-0
    Other (Specify)-0
    Total-24

    Credits achieved: = 24 / 10 = 2.4
    Credits assigned: = 2 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  60369   National Certificate: Strata Control Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  58739   National Certificate: Mining Operations for Underground Hard Rock  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  49013   National Certificate: Mining Operations: Underground Hard Rock  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2007-08-16  Was MQA until Last Date for Achievement 


    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.
     
    1. ADCORP TECHNICAL TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    2. ALLOYS HEAD OFFICE 
    3. ASSMANG (PTY) LTD 
    4. AVENG (AFRICA) (PTY) LTD 
    5. BAFOKENG RASIMONE MANAGEMENT SERVICES PTY LTD 
    6. BANA BA THARI MINING TRANING AND DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY 
    7. BARBERTON MINES (PTY) LTD 
    8. CONCOR PROJECTS PTY LTD 
    9. DEI GRATIA TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT SOLUTION 
    10. EASTERN CHROME MINES 
    11. EASTERN CHROME MINES SAMANCOR 
    12. FINSCH DIAMOND MINE(PTY) LTD 
    13. FOSKOR (PTY) LTD 
    14. GEOSTRAT TRAINING 
    15. GLENCORE OPERATIONS SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD 
    16. HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD 
    17. HOTAZEL MANGANESE MINES (PTY) LTD 
    18. JUAB GENERAL DEALER 
    19. MANCAS CONSULTINGS CC 
    20. MARULA PLATINUM PTY LTD 
    21. MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD 
    22. METSKILL PTY LTD 
    23. MMTI Holdings 
    24. MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD 
    25. MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION (PTY)LTD 
    26. NORTHAM PLATINUM LTD 
    27. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    28. PRISMA TRAINING SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD 
    29. PROGRESSIVE TRAINING DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECTS (PTY) LTD 
    30. RICHARDS BAY MINING PTY LTD 
    31. SASOL GLOBAL LEARNING 
    32. SENZEKO EXECUTIVE RISK CC 
    33. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    34. SIBANYE RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES PTY LTD 
    35. TAU LEKOA GOLD MINING COMPANY (PTY) LTD 
    36. THUNGELA OPERATIONS (PTY) LTD 
    37. TWO RIVERS PLATINUM (PTY) LTD 
    38. XTRACT TRAINING SERVICES (SA)(PTY)LTD 
    39. ZULEK TRAINING SPECIALISTS 


    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.