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 mine health and safety Act, for small-scale mining 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336939  Demonstrate an understanding of the mine health and safety Act, for small-scale mining 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Fabrication and Extraction 
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 4  NQF Level 04  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 
This Unit Standard will be useful for people who are engaged in small-scale mining. People credited with this Unit Standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities of the owner/manager of a small-scale mine in terms of health and safety requirements.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the health and safety requirements for designing, constructing and equipping a small-scale mine to provide for healthy and safe working conditions.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the need for a small-scale mine to have a communication system and electrical, mechanical and other equipment as is necessary to achieve healthy and safe working conditions.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the need to commission, operate, maintain and decommission a small-scale mine in such a way that employees can perform their work without comprising the health and safety of themselves or others as far as reasonably practicable.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the need to compile an annual report on the health and safety of a small-scale mine. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the objectives of the Mine's Health and Safety Act; and the impact on a small-scale mine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The objectives of the Mines Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996) are explained in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Objectives include but not limited to:
  • To protect the health and safety of persons at mines.
  • To require employers and employees to identify hazards and eliminate, Control and minimise the risks relating to health and safety at mines.
  • To give effect to the public international law obligations of the Republic that concern health and safety at mines.
  • To provide for employee participation in matters of health and safety through health and safety representatives and the health and safety committees at mines.
  • To provide for effective monitoring of health and safety conditions at mines.
  • To provide for enforcement of health and safety measures at mines.
  • To provide for investigations and inquiries to improve health and safety at mines.
  • To promote:
    > A culture of health and safety in the mining industry.
    > Training in health and safety in the mining industry.
    > Co-operation and consultation on health and safety between the State, employers, employees and their representatives.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The responsibilities of the small-scale mine owner with respect to health and safety requirements are described as per the Mines Health and Safety Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The responsibilities of the mine manager with respect to health and safety requirements are described in terms of the Mines Health and Safety Act. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities of the Employee with regards to Health and Safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Relevant Sections of the Mines Health and Safety act are described and explained in terms of the definition in the Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Applicable Sections of the Mines Health and Safety act are described and explained in terms of the definition in the Act. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the staffing requirements in a small scale mine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Applicable Sections of the Mines Health and Safety act are described and explained in terms of the definition in the Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Relevant Sections of the Mines Health and Safety act are described and explained in terms of the definition in the Act. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibility of the manager of a small scale mine to identify and deal with hazards and risks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Relevant Sections of the Mines Health and Safety act are described and explained in terms of the definition in the Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Applicable Sections of the Mines Health and Safety act are described and explained in terms of the definition in the Act. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibility of the manager of a small scale mine to establish and maintain a medical surveillance system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Relevant Sections of the Mines Health and Safety Act, are described and explained in accordance with company requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Applicable Sections of the Mines Health and Safety Act, are described and explained in terms of the environmental analysis needs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Relevant Sections of the Mines Health and Safety Act, are described and explained in terms of the mining operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Applicable Sections of the Mines Health and Safety Act, are described and explained in terms of the definition in the Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Applicable Sections of the Mines Health and Safety Act are described and explained in terms of the definition in the Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Relevant Sections of the Mines Health and Safety Act are described and explained in terms of health and safety working conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Relevant Sections of the Mines Health and Safety Act are described and explained in terms of the definition in the Act. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities of the health and safety committee and safety representatives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The requirements to establish a safety committee are explain in the context of company requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The requirements to appoint a safety representative are explain according to electoral company procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Describe and explain the responsibilities of the safety representative in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Describe and explain the responsibilities of the health and safety committee in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Unit Standard 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 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 essential Embedded Knowledge will be assessed in an integrated manner in the Unit Standard:
  • The objectives of the Mines Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996).
  • The responsibilities of the small-scale mine owner with respect to health and safety requirements.
  • The responsibilities of the Employee with regards to Health and Safety.
  • Staffing requirements in a small scale mine.
  • The responsibilities of the manager of a small scale mine to identify and deal with Hazards and Risks.
  • The responsibilities of the manager of a small scale mine to establish and maintain a medical surveillance system.
  • The responsibilities of the health and safety committee and safety representatives. 
    		•

    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 a member of a team, group, organisation or community:
  • The ability and willingness of the learner to consult and cooperate with other role players by adhering to the requirements of the Mine Health and Safety Act. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage himself/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively:
  • The ability of the learner to plan activities in such a manner as to adhere to the requirements of the Mine Health and Safety Act. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • The ability of the learner to collect, evaluate and consider all relevant information pertaining to monitoring and reporting on relevant aspects of the Mine Health and Safety Act. 
    		•

    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 learner understands that adherence to the requirements of the Mine Health and Safety Act encompasses various systems and the activities of him/herself and others, all of whom have an impact on the Occupational Health and Safety of all people working on or near the mine. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    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, then 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, and there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate 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 candidate 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. 
    		•

    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 and Regulations, 1996 (Act 29/1996), and Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002.
  • Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives/Instructions.
  • Guidelines issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines.

    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 OHand S Risks.
  • Working Guides.
  • Equipment and Material Specifications. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  74490   Further Education and Training Certificate: Mining Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.