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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of basic health and safety practices related to surface mines 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120437  Demonstrate an understanding of basic health and safety practices related to surface mines 
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  3 
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 
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 basic occupational health and safety practices on a surface mine in the mining and minerals sector.

Persons credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Explain specified requirements pertaining to the operation of mobile equipment in an open pit mine.
  • Explain specified requirements regarding health and safety issues in an open pit mine. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in Communication 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 
    Explain specified requirements pertaining to the operation of mobile equipment in an open pit mine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Vehicle control regulations and the consequences of non-compliance are explained for an open pit mine environment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Travelling speeds, following distances and towing of vehicles, parking of mobile equipment at parking bay and roadway, safety berms, runaways.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Safety precautions and specified requirements are described before mobile equipment is set into motion and operated in an open pit mine. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of safety precautions must include:
  • Warning given.
  • Prevention of collisions.
  • Prevention of damage to objects and mobile equipment.
  • Licensing of operators.
  • Open pit permit.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain specified requirements regarding occupational health and safety issues in an open pit mine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Reactive measures for encountered unsafe ground conditions in an open pit mine are explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of action and unsafe conditions include:
  • Withdrawal of persons and equipment.
  • Safeguarding the unsafe area.
  • Communication.
  • Excessive water and heavy rain.
  • Misfires.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Safety berms are explained in accordance with the specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of requirements must include:
  • Heights.
  • Lengths.
  • Widths.
  • Distances.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The specified requirements before entering a blasted area are explained with a focus on the consequences of non-compliance. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • 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 items reflect the type of knowledge that the assessor will evaluate:

    Understanding of occupational safety, health and environment factors
  • Hazards and risks encountered and the action to be taken.
  • Safety systems and health protection.
  • Personal Protective Equipment requirements.
  • Environmental protection and pollution controls.
  • Emergency procedures. 
    		•

    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 sub-standard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members 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 themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • The ability of the candidate to indicate what methods, tools and personal protective equipment is required and communicate to fellow workers his / her intentions and assistance required. 
    		•

    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 sub-standard conditions will indicate his / her proficiency in effective communication. 
    		•

    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 understanding that a specific observation, inference, action or decision can 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:

    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.

    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, The skills that are required show some variety, but are still fairly simple.
  • Procedures, 2, Although the procedure is known and familiar (as in Level 1), it is not as repetitive.
  • Context, 2, Although the process could occur in different contexts, these contexts are repeatedly applicable and known to the candidate.
  • Knowledge, 2, The knowledge that is required is related to the operation and no theory therefore needs to be applied.
  • Information processing, 2, Information is readily available but some processing is required.
  • Problem solving, 2, The key difference between this and Level 2 is the fact that a degree of judgement has to be applied.
  • Orientation of activities, 3, Instructions are to be followed, but there is some autonomy to make own decisions and hand down instructions.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility, 2, Candidate has some responsibility for quantity and quality.
  • Application of responsibility, 3, Candidate's output is checked for quality on a random basis.
  • Average level: 20/9 =2,2.
  • Actual level assigned: 2.

    Credits:

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

    Activity:
  • Classroom teaching: 16 hours.
  • On-the-job training : 12 hours.
  • Total: 28 Hours.

    Credits achieved: 28/10 =2.8.
    Credits Assigned: 3. 
    		•

    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.