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

Utilise earthmoving equipment to excavate and shape a landscape 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264238  Utilise earthmoving equipment to excavate and shape a landscape 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Horticulture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
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 
A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Ensure that all health & safety requirements for a landscaping site are met.
  • Supervise the hand excavation of trenches.
  • Excavate an area using earthmoving machinery.
  • Backfill and compact an area using earthmoving machinery.
  • Obtain the final levels in preparation for planting. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification will have demonstrated competence in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 1 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy NQF Level 1 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify the safety requirements for excavating and backfilling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The methods for the inspection and location of hazardous surfaces are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The necessity of shoring up trenches is explained in terms of the avoidance of collapsing and the burial of workers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The role that the personal protective clothing and personal protective equipment play in excavating trenches is explained within the context of the protection that these items afford the workers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The hazards that may be encountered when excavating by hand are described with reference to the possible safety incidents that may occur when working with hand tools. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The necessity of having one or more of the personnel qualified in the provision of basic first aid is explained in terms of their ability to attend to minor incidents. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The role of the employer in the provision of safety is explained in terms of ensuring that all relevant safety equipment is made available to the workers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The role of the employee in the observance of safety standards is explained within the context of their duty to adhere to the principles and practices of safety and to be constantly aware of hazards that may affect them and their fellow workers. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Perform hand excavation on a landscape construction site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The procedures for the location and identification of underground services are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    General safety checks are explained in terms of identifying of all hazards and the necessary precautions that must be taken to prevent a safety incident. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The range of hand tools used for excavation is described in terms of those items that will suit the site and soil conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The methods of storing topsoil are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The necessity of pegging levels accurately is explained with respect to ensuring that storm water flows in the planned direction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The hazards of excavating on built-up sites are described in terms of the possibility of land slides and subsidence from a lack of adequate compaction. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Excavate an area utilising earthmoving machinery. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The accurate setting out of levels is demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The particular machinery that is used to excavate, transport and shape soil on a landscape construction site is described in terms of those machines that can efficiently operate in the assigned areas on site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    General safety checks are described with respect to the machine guards and "dead man switches". 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The necessity of protecting the surrounding landscape is explained with reference to existing trees, shrubs and features that must be preserved. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The methods of stockpiling soils/materials are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Protect excavated areas to prevent injury to others. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The necessity of having insurance cover is explained within the context of the liability that a contractor has for both completed and incomplete work. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasons for protecting excavated areas are explained in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act wherein it is the responsibility of a contractor to clearly cordon off an excavation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The methods of erecting barriers and installing warning signage to protect excavated areas are described in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of identifying the source of any damage that has been effected to the completed landscape works is explained in terms of the claim for restitution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The need to keep records of the damage caused to the landscape is explained and the documentation for this is described in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Backfill and compact excavated areas with earthmoving machinery. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The methods of backfilling and compacting an area with machinery is demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The particular machinery that is used to backfill, shape and compact soil on a landscape construction site is described in terms of those machines that can efficiently operate in the assigned areas on site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of compacting backfill to the required degree of compaction is explained in terms of the consequences that can occur if this is not performed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The sequence of back filling that is required in an area to be planted is explained in terms of the essential need to ensure that the topsoil is applied last. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The methods of setting out the final levels for planting are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The methods of obtaining the final finishing by hand in preparation for planting are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the 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, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
  • 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 
    Embedded knowledge is reflected in the Assessment Criteria for each Specific Outcome. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made by:
  • Applying knowledge of the health and safety regulations to barricade an area to prevent injury to others. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Documenting any damage that others have effected to the completed works. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation by:
  • Indicating to the workers the final levels and finish that they must obtain. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner is able to use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by:
  • Understanding the operation of a dumpy level to set out final levels. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is able to demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    The learner is able to contribute to the full personal development of themselves and the social and economic development of the society at large.

    Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  66649   National Certificate: Landscaping  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    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.