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: 

Identify signs of failure of slopes and haul roads in surface and open pit mines 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252695  Identify signs of failure of slopes and haul roads in surface and open pit 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  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 geotechnical observations in open pit and surface mines.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of slope failure mechanisms.
  • Identify the onset of failure.
  • Monitor the failure.
  • Communicate the observations.

    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 geotechnical observations in open pit and surface mines 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:
  • Introductory Certificate to the Mining Industry at NQF Level 1.
  • Use relevant measuring instruments at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of slope failure mechanisms. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms involved in slope failure is explained in terms of definition, appearance and effect. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Wedge.
  • Toppling.
  • Plane.
  • Circular.
  • Loose material sliding or rolling.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Failure mechanisms are sketched in order to demonstrate an understanding of their appearance in the workplace. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Wedge.
  • Toppling.
  • Plane.
  • Circular.
  • Loose material sliding or rolling.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify the onset of failures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Theoretical pre-cursors associated with the various failure mechanisms are identified in accordance with mine-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Wedge.
  • Toppling.
  • Plane.
  • Circular.
  • Loose material sliding or rolling.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Failure signs are recognised and noted for further action in accordance with mine-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Wedge.
  • Toppling.
  • Plane.
  • Circular.
  • Loose material sliding or rolling.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Monitor the failure signs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Knowledge of appropriate monitoring methods is demonstrated in accordance with legal and mine-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Visual observation.
  • Measuring tape.
  • Photographic record.
  • Survey methods.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to record visual observations and monitoring information accurately is demonstrated in accordance with mine-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability to measure and record using tapes is demonstrated in accordance with mine-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The ability to capture the failure signs photographically is demonstrated in accordance with mine-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Ability to operate the camera according to product specific user guidelines.
  • Ability to compose useful images.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Communicate the observations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Thee observations are communicated verbally in accordance with mine-specific requirements and effective communication skills. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A written report stating the observations is compiled according to mine-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Written report.
  • Completing a pro-forma.
     
    		•


    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:
  • Knowledge of slope failure mechanisms.
  • Sketches of basic failure mechanisms.

    Processes and events:
  • Identify the onset of failures.
  • Monitor the failure signs.
  • Communicate the observations.

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

    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 accept and interpret work instructions correctly and to request assistance with monitoring in an appropriate manner as a team member. 

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

    Note: In preparation for the monitoring of the failure signs, the learner must indicate what tools 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 visual and monitoring information and prepare a written report. 

    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 reporting failure signs 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 use of mechanical monitoring devices and cameras indicate 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 and monitor slope failure signs. The effect of non-compliance and deviation from monitoring 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 4; The skills required are now not only operational, but also require scholastic skills, which need to be applied. They will have a wide variety and are more complex.
  • Procedures; Level 3; In this case the procedures could differ the learner has to make the correct selection of procedure to apply. The choice however is limited.
  • Context; Level 2; Although the process could occur in different contexts, the contexts are repeatedly applicable and known to the learner.
  • Knowledge; Level 2; The knowledge required is merely related to the operation and no theory needs to be applied.
  • Information processing; Level 2; Information is readily available but some processing is required.
  • Problem Solving; Level 1; No problem solving.
  • Orientation of activities; Level 2; Follows instructions.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility; Level 4; The learner is entirely responsibility for the output, Responsibility for others as per 3.
  • Application of responsibility; Level 2; Learner's output is quality controlled.

    Average Level: = 22/9 = 2.44.
    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  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. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    4. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    5. 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.