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 an understanding of the hazards associated with the removal of installed support units under various conditions 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252555  Demonstrate an understanding of the hazards associated with the removal of installed support units under various conditions 
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  4 
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 
This unit standard will be useful to rock engineering personnel who are responsible for ensuring mining excavation stability with support in an underground mine.

People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the:
  • Effect of support removal on excavation stability.
  • Importance of conducting a pre-removal inspection.
  • Applicable support removal procedure.
  • Importance of conducting a post-removal inspection.

    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 and understanding of the interaction between rock strength, stress and fracturing 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 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in the following:
  • Outcomes relating to the Introductory Certificate to the Mining Industry, NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the effect of support removal on excavation stability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The sudden removal of load-carrying support units is explained in terms of effect on excavation stability. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include concepts such as:
  • Support resistance.
  • Closure.
  • Effect of Geological structures.
  • Support spacing.
  • Tributary area.
  • Horizontal clamping.
  • Effect of key blocks.
  • Support installation quality.
  • Support material quality.
  • Beam building.
  • Suspension.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the importance of conducting a pre-removal inspection. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The required personal protective equipment is selected, examined and used in a way that is consistent with its purpose, design and specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment is used so that the safety of the operator, team and equipment is protected. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Hand protection.
  • Safety boots.
  • Safety hat.
  • Safety chain.
  • Eye protection.
  • Remote release tools.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of identifying and addressing rock related hazards are explained in terms of the practice of making safe according to mine specific procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Brows.
  • Geological structures.
  • Poor ground conditions.
  • Blast damage.
  • Key blocks.
  • Bed separation.
  • Loose rocks.
  • Failure indicators.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of non-adherence to making safe procedures are described in terms of the potential effect on safety, health, equipment and production. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the applicable support removal procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of selection, examination and readiness of tools, material and equipment is explained in terms of the removal of support according to prescribed procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Temporary support: Timber, Mechanical, Hydraulic.
  • Permanent support: Elongates, Packs, Tendons, Backfill, Pillars.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The support removal is explained in terms of prescribed operational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of non-adherence to support removal procedures are described in terms of the potential effect on safety, health, equipment and production. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of conducting a post-removal inspection. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The consequences relating to the removal of support is assessed and explained in terms of potential excavation instability. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Unusual rock movements.
  • Ground condition deterioration.
  • Excessive bed separation.
  • Deterioration of remaining support units.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of conducting thorough post-removal inspections and consequences of inadequate inspections are described in terms of the potential effect on safety, health, equipment and production. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body must be, 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 unit standard 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, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard 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 embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Sudden removal of load-carrying support units.

    Processes and events:
  • Preparation.
  • Work site examination.
  • Removal of support units.

    Causes and effects (Safety and Health):
  • Use of equipment.
  • Use of personal protective equipment.
  • Adherence to safety requirements.
  • Work related hazards and associated risks.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Quality control inspections.
  • Good housekeeping.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies and standards:
  • Safety, health and environmental legislation and regulations.
  • Quality policies, standards and agreements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

    Note: The ability and willingness of the learner to interpret and communicate work instructions correctly and to request assistance with support removal assessment. 

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

    Note: The preparation for assessing the removal of support units, the learner must indicate what tools and personal protective equipment are required and communicate to fellow workers his/her intentions. 

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

    Note: The ability of the learner to reconcile the information from the visual examination and constantly evaluate the changing situation. 

    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 hazards and sub-standard conditions 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: The knowledge of the correct use of remote release/removal equipment indicates effective use of science and technology. 

    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 identify hazardous conditions. The effect of non-compliance and deviation from procedures will indicate his/her proficiency in understanding that a specific action or decision taken has more than one 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 29 of 1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50 of 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.
  • Managerial instructions.
  • Mine standard procedures.
  • List of recorded OH&S hazards.
  • Working guides.
  • Equipment and materials specifications.

    Unit Standard Justification:

    Level:

    Attribute; Level; Justification:
  • Skills; Level 3; The skills required now have a significant variety and extend beyond the simple range.
  • Procedures; Level 2; Although the procedure is known and familiar (as Level 1) it is not as repetitive.
  • Context; Level 3; The learner knows all contexts that the process occurs in but a variety and range of contexts occur.
  • Knowledge; Level 3; Relevant theoretical knowledge is required to be fully competent.
  • Information processing; Level 3; In this case the information is available but interpretation as opposed to basic processing thereof is required.
  • Problem Solving; Level 2; The learner will only have to apply given solution to known/familiar problems.
  • Orientation of activities; Level 1; Follows instructions.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility; Level 1; No responsibility.
  • Application of responsibility; Level 2; Learner's output is quality controlled.

    Average Level: = 20/9 = 2.22.
    Actual Level Assigned: = 2.

    Credits:

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

    Activity; Hours:
  • Classroom Teaching; 16 Hours.
  • On-The-Job Training; 24 Hours.
  • Mentoring required; 0 Hours.
  • Other (Specify); 0 Hours.

    Total = 40 Hours.

    Credits Achieved: = 40/10 = 4.
    Credits Assigned: = 4. 
    		•

    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 
    Elective  59549   National Certificate: Strata Control Operations  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. GEOSTRAT TRAINING 
    3. MMTI Holdings 
    4. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    5. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    6. 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.