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: 

Conduct an issue-based risk assessment within an underground workplace 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116669  Conduct an issue-based risk assessment within an underground workplace 
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" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 for persons who are required to conduct an issue-based risk assessment within an underground working place to ensure a healthy and safe environment to work in.
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Explain the specified requirements pertaining to issue-based risk assessment;
  • Prepare for risk assessment;
  • Assess the risks; and
  • Initiate remedial and follow-up action.

    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 of issue-based hazard identification and risk assessment within a working place in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable, informed and safe 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:
  • Follow basic health and safety practices underground. 
    		•

    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 
    Explain the specified requirements pertaining to issue-based risk assessment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The explanation of the legal requirements in terms of the employer's responsibility to assess and respond to risk is consistent with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The legal definitions pertaining to hazard identification and risk assessment are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of definitions must include:
  • Hazard;
  • Risk;
  • Health;
  • Reasonably practicable;
  • Safety;
  • Health and Safety Committee; and
  • Tolerable risk.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The explanation of the purpose of each type of hazard identification and risk assessment procedure is consistent with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of procedures must include:
  • Baseline;
  • Issue-based; and
  • Continuous.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The explanation of the main components of an issue-based risk assessment procedure is consistent with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The explanation of the factors that may indicate a need for conducting an issue based risk assessment is consistent with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The explanation of the importance of conducting an issue based risk assessment in terms of the consequences to health, safety, environment and production is consistent with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare for risk assessment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The identification of relevant documents to assist in identifying hazards is according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The gathering of information regarding standards for the area, previously identified hazards and risks, as well as related control measures, is performed according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The required personal protective equipment is available, operational, fit for purpose, and used in accordance with its design and specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Assess the risks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazard identification is conducted in a manner that fosters teamwork and avoids conflict. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Hazards are identified and risks are assessed according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Identified hazardous conditions are recorded according to specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Initiate remedial and follow-up action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The significant risks that were assessed from hazardous conditions are dealt with according to specified requirements in terms of promptness and order of significance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reports are completed, accurate, in the required format, and submitted to designated personnel on time according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Follow-up action is initiated and implemented according to specified requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • 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 knowledge
  • Legal and site-specific requirements 
    		•

    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 understand the action to be taken should environmental conditions and personal acts not conform to standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to understand the action to be taken to safeguard fellow workers against unsafe environmental conditions and unsafe acts. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to identify hazards and risks in an underground workplace and to understand the effects of sub standard conditions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to analyse and determine risks and deal with them accordingly. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to effectively complete and submit reports will indicate his/her proficiency in effective communication. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
    Note: 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.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to act when and where required by understanding the implications and impact of his actions within the company. 

    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: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    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

    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 and Regulations, 1996 (Act 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991)
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice
  • SANS and other relevant Standards
    > Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives/Instructions
  • Guidelines issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines

    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-4-Variety of familiar and unfamiliar
    Knowledge-3-Some relevant theoretical.
    Information processing-3-Interpretation of available information
    Problem Solving-3-A range of known responses to familiar problems, base on limited discretion and judgement
    Orientation of activities-1-Directed
    Application of responsibility-4-Under broad guidance and evaluation
    Orientation of scope of responsibility-2-Some responsibility for quantity and quality, and possible responsibility for guiding others

    Average level: 25/9 = 2.8 actual level assigned: = 3

    Credits

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

    Activity-Hours
    Classroom Teaching-10
    On-The-Job Training-10
    Mentoring required-0
    Other (Specify)-0
    Total-20

    Credits achieved: 20/10 =2.0 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  65549   National Certificate: Mining Technical Support  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  49014   National Certificate: Rockbreaking: Underground Hard Rock  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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. CADDIS TRADING CC 
    2. CONCOR PROJECTS PTY LTD 
    3. FOSKOR (PTY) LTD 
    4. HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD 
    5. NORTHAM PLATINUM LTD 
    6. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    7. SENZEKO EXECUTIVE RISK CC 
    8. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 


    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.