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: 

Describe the basic environmental factors of ventilating an underground working place to ensure a safe and healthy working environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244400  Describe the basic environmental factors of ventilating an underground working place to ensure a safe and healthy working environment 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
116670  Describe the basic environmental factors of ventilating an underground working place to ensure a safe and healthy working environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful for persons who are required to install ventilation controls in an underground workplace.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Outline the necessity for ventilating a working place.
  • Describe the methods of ventilating a working place.
  • Describe the basic effects on workers and action to be taken in terms of exposure to hazardous environmental conditions.
  • Describe the methods of controlling ventilation in a working place and sections thereof.

    The knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard contribute to social and economic transformation and the upliftment and economic growth of the mining and minerals sector by understanding the basic environmental factors of ventilating an underground working place as part of the mining process.

    This unit standard is intended to promote general knowledge and understanding of persons responsible for the installation of ventilation controls in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable, competent 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:
  • Understanding of basic mining terminology at NQF Level 1.
  • Understanding of typical basic underground hard rock mining services, processes and layouts 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 
    Outline the necessity for ventilating a working place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The reasons for ventilating a working place are explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The explanation of the principle of workplace ventilation is in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Demonstrate basic knowledge of specified requirements pertaining to environmental conditions in a working place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The explanation of the sources of workplace contaminants is according to specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the methods of ventilating a working place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The methods of ventilating a working place and sections thereof, is described in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of using the correct method of ventilating a workplace is explained in terms of consequences to occupational health and safety. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the basic effects on workers and action to be taken in terms of exposure to hazardous environmental conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The effects that hazardous environmental conditions have on the safety and occupational health of workers are explained in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Environmental conditions must include:
  • Temperature.
  • Humidity.
  • Air movement.
  • Contaminants.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The explanation of the action to be taken, when environmental conditions do not conform, is according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The explanation of the appropriate escape strategy procedure during an emergency is in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the methods of controlling ventilation in a working place and sections thereof. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The methods of controlling ventilation in a working place and sections thereof are described in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The explanation regarding the basic layout and ventilation appliances installed in a working place is consistent with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Basic layout and ventilation appliances must include:
  • Column discharge distance.
  • Ventilation control position.
  • Air recirculation.
  • Fan switch positions.
  • Extraction systems.
     
    		•


    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.
  • Reasons for ventilating a workplace.
  • Principles of ventilation.
  • Methods of ventilating a workplace.
  • Methods of controlling ventilation in a workplace.
  • Describe the basic effects on workers and action to be taken in terms of exposure to hazardous environmental conditions. 
    		•

    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 learner to understand the action to be taken should environmental conditions 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 learner to understand the action to be taken to safeguard fellow workers against adverse environmental conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note:
  • The ability of the learner to understand the basic environmental factors of ventilating an underground workplace and the effects of sub standard environmental conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note:
  • Not relevant for this unit standard. 
    		•

    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 learner to effectively explain the basic environmental factors of ventilating an underground workplace 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 occupational health of others.

    Note:
  • The learner demonstrates an understanding of and ability to use advanced mining technology in terms of production, safety and 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.

    Note:
  • The ability of the learner to recognise the importance of ventilating an underground workplace and to understand the consequences of not adhering to standards in terms of the safety of all persons working underground. 
    		•

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 116670, "Describe the basic environmental factors of ventilating an underground working place to ensure a safe and healthy working environment", Level 2, 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.
    > SANS and other relevant Standards.
    > Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.
  • Site Specific:
    > Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
    > Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
    > Voluntary Codes of Practice.
    > Managerial Instructions.
    > Mine Standard Procedures.
    > List of Recorded OH&S Risks.
    > Working Guides.
    > Equipment and Materials Specifications of 1993.

    Notes to Assessors:

    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, 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 learner 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 learner 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.

    Unit standard justification:

    Level:

    Attribute; Level; Justification:
  • Skills; Level 2; Moderate in range.
  • Procedures; Level 2; Established and familiar.
  • Context; Level 2; Routine and familiar.
  • Knowledge; Level 2; Basic operational.
  • Information processing; Level 1; Recall.
  • Problem Solving; Level 2; Known solutions to familiar problems.
  • Orientation of activities; Level 1; Directed.
  • Application of responsibility; Level 1; Under close supervision.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility; Level 1; No responsibility for work and learning of others.

    Average Level: 14/9 = 1.6.
    Actual Level Assigned: 2.

    Credits:

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

    Activity; Hours:
  • Classroom Teaching; 10 Hours.
  • On-The-Job Training; 10 Hours.
  • Mentoring required; 8 Hours.
  • Other (Specify); 0 Hours.
  • Total; 28 Hours.

    Credits Achieved: 28/10 = 2.8 .
    Actual 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
    Core  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  64949   National Certificate: Laboratory Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    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.
     
    1. ADCORP TECHNICAL TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    2. ALLOYS HEAD OFFICE 
    3. Anglo American Platinum Amendelbult Concentrators 
    4. ASSMANG (PTY) LTD 
    5. ASSMANG BEESHOEK MINE 
    6. AUCTUS TUTORS (PTY) LTD 
    7. AVENG (AFRICA) (PTY) LTD 
    8. BAFOKENG RASIMONE MANAGEMENT SERVICES PTY LTD 
    9. BANA BA THARI MINING TRANING AND DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY 
    10. BARBERTON MINES (PTY) LTD 
    11. BOOYSENDAL PLATINUM (PTY) LTD 
    12. COLLIERY TRAINING COLLEGE (PTY) LTD 
    13. CONCOR PROJECTS PTY LTD 
    14. DWARSRIVER CHROME MINE (PTY) LTD 
    15. EASTERN CHROME MINES 
    16. EASTERN CHROME MINES SAMANCOR 
    17. FINSCH DIAMOND MINE(PTY) LTD 
    18. FOSKOR (PTY) LTD 
    19. GEOSTRAT TRAINING 
    20. HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD 
    21. HOTAZEL MANGANESE MINES (PTY) LTD 
    22. JUAB GENERAL DEALER 
    23. malandela Training and Development (PTY)LTD 
    24. MANCAS CONSULTINGS CC 
    25. MARULA PLATINUM PTY LTD 
    26. MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD 
    27. METSKILL PTY LTD 
    28. MINTEK 
    29. MMTI Holdings 
    30. MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD 
    31. MOTOTOLO MINE 
    32. MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION (PTY)LTD 
    33. NORTHAM PLATINUM LTD 
    34. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    35. PRISMA TRAINING SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD 
    36. PROGRESSIVE TRAINING DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECTS (PTY) LTD 
    37. RICHARDS BAY MINING PTY LTD 
    38. SASOL GLOBAL LEARNING 
    39. SENZEKO EXECUTIVE RISK CC 
    40. SETLOBOKGO HOLDINGS (PTY) LTD 
    41. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    42. SIBANYE RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES PTY LTD 
    43. TAU LEKOA GOLD MINING COMPANY (PTY) LTD 
    44. TWO RIVERS PLATINUM (PTY) LTD 
    45. WESTERN CHROME MINES 
    46. XTRACT TRAINING SERVICES (SA)(PTY)LTD 


    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.