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: 

Construct and maintain roads in surface excavations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336961  Construct and maintain roads in surface excavations 
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  7 
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 Production Supervisors in surface excavations.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of constructing and maintaining roads in surface excavations.
  • Construct roads in surface excavations.
  • Maintain roads in surface excavations.
  • Demonstrate understanding of occupational health and safety requirements pertaining to roads in surface excavations. 
    		•

    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 
    Surface excavations refers to:
  • Surface Mines such as coal, iron ore.
  • Quarries (Limestone, dolomite).
  • Dimension stone operations.
  • Industrial mineral operations.
  • Dumps and stockpiles. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of constructing and maintaining roads in surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose and application of roads are explained in the context of surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The characteristics and design factors of roads are explained in the context of surface excavations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Characteristics and design factors includes but not limited to:
  • Loading (size of equipment).
  • Performance requirements (speed and rolling resistance).
  • Route.
  • Widths.
  • Radius.
  • Camber and crossfall (superelevation).
  • Drainage/Weather conditions.
  • Compaction.
  • Gradients.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The unused material ready for removal is discussed in terms of specified company requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Unsuitable Plasticity Index (PI).
  • Incorrect California Bearing Ratio (CBR).
  • Poor grading and Flakiness Index (FI).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The selection of construction materials is discussed in the context of constructing roads for surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Power and water reticulation requirements are discussed in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The impact on the environment is discussed in the context of roads construction in surface excavations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Construct roads in surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Road plans are read and interpreted in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Roads are set out by means of applying surveying skills. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Materials for road building are procured and/or selected in terms of suitability and availability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Appropriate equipment for road building are identified and obtained in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipments include but not limited to:
  • Excavators.
  • Graders.
  • Loaders.
  • Front end loaders.
  • Compactors.
  • Water carts.
  • Fuel bowsers.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Appropriate construction techniques are applied in accordance with surface excavation road building standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Drainage infrastructure is constructed in accordance with surface excavation road building standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Power and water reticulation infrastructure and systems are installed in accordance with surface excavation road building standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Dust suppression infrastructure by means of surface treatment (chemical and other) is installed in accordance with surface excavation road building standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Environmental management requirements are met in terms of specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Maintain roads in surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Effects and Causes of road deterioration are explained in the context of surface excavation operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Road deterioration includes but not limited to:
  • Rutting.
  • Poor drainage.
  • Corrugation.
  • Poor gradient design-kicking.
  • Water damage.
  • Spillage.
  • Damage by track machines.
  • Overloading.
  • Speeding.
  • Freezing and thawing.
  • Poor quality construction materials.
  • Vibration.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Surface excavation road repairs are conducted in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Surface excavation roads are maintained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate understanding of occupational health and safety requirements pertaining to roads in surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Potential hazards and risks pertaining to the construction, maintenance and use of roads in surface excavation operations are identified and explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Design requirements to address occupational health and safety issues are explained in the context of constructing and maintaining roads in surface excavation operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Signage requirements are explained in the context of roads in surface excavation operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Signage age includes but not limited to:
  • Road features.
  • Speeds.
  • Warnings.
  • Restrictions (No-go areas).
  • Direction.
  • Braking/gears (slopes).
  • Visibility.
  • Walkways.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Consequences of non-compliance occupational health and safety requirements pertaining to roads are explained and corrective actions implemented in accordance with operational and legal 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 with 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 will be assessed in an integrated way in the context of the unit standard:
  • Purpose and application of roads in surface excavations.
  • Characteristics and design factors of roads.
  • Requirements for selection of construction materials.
  • Power and water reticulation requirements.
  • Environmental management requirements.
  • Reading and interpreting surface excavation road plans.
  • Relevant surveying skills and techniques.
  • Road building equipment requirements.
  • Appropriate construction techniques.
  • Requirements for drainage of excess water.
  • Power and water reticulation requirements and infrastructure.
  • Dust suppression requirements and infrastructure.
  • Causes of road deterioration.
  • Requirements and techniques for conducting surface excavation road repairs.
  • Surface excavation road safety requirements.
  • Signage requirements. 
    		•

    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 be part of a team and to participate constructively in achieving team goals and objectives in the processes of constructing and maintaining roads in surface excavations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Note: The learner appreciates the role of modern technology in constructing and maintaining roads in surface excavations and shows a positive orientation towards such 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 learner understands that the interaction of numerous role players involved in upstream, downstream and parallel processes are required to construct and maintain roads in surface excavations. 

    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:
  • Understanding of relevant Acts and Regulations:
    > Mine Health and Safety Act-1996, Labour Relations Act-1995.
    > Basic Conditions of Employment Act-1998.

    Site Specific:
  • Company policies and procedures regarding relevant:
    > Mine policies and procedures.
    > Codes of Practice.
    > Human Resource specific labour functions.
    > Codes of Practice. 
    		•

    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.