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 roles and responsibilities of a production supervisor in a mining environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336964  Demonstrate an understanding of roles and responsibilities of a production supervisor in a mining environment 
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  8 
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 
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of important documents, records, plans and controls to be retained in the office of a Production Supervisor.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of procedures and controls for the ordering of stores, materials and equipment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key roles and responsibilities of the Production Supervisor performed from surface to working place at the start of the shift.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the importance of proper preparation for underground visits.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the need and requirements for performing odd shift inspections. 
    		•

    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 knowledge and understanding of important documents, records, plans and controls to be retained in the office of a Production Supervisor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of the need to maintain contact details for emergency, production and service department personnel is explained and understood in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of displaying areas of responsibility for sub-ordinates on the relevant mine plans is explained and understood in terms of site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The need to compile and maintain accurate workplace records is explained and understood in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Records include but not limited to:
  • Appointment register.
  • Pre-planning meeting minutes.
  • Risk register.
  • Handover notes.
  • Special area meeting minutes (if applicable).
  • Stopped end register.
  • Haulage and RAW Examination register.
  • Service department reports.
  • Logbook.
  • Planned inspection register.
  • Planned Task Observation register.
  • DME inspection reports.
  • Safety meeting notes.
  • Senior Management visits.
  • Refuge bay inspection and escape drills.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The need to record instructions for reasons of occupational health and safety is explained and understood in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The need for written appointments for certain job categories is explained and understood in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The importance of having a system and controls in place which affect production output is explained and understood in terms of site-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    System and control include but not limited to:
  • Time and attendance.
  • Communication of Managerial Instructions and Briefs.
  • Hazard communication.
  • Lost Blast Management.
  • Explosive Control.
  • Daily Production Controls.
  • Job requests to/from service departments.
  • Incentive Schemes.
  • Dayshift/Nightshift communications.
  • Safety.
  • Contraband control.
  • Leave roster.
  • Disciplinary hearings.
  • Work place induction record.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of procedures and controls for the ordering of stores, materials and equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The process for the ordering and control of explosives and explosive accessories is explained and understood in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The process for the ordering and control of timber and other support media is explained and understood in terms of site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The process for the ordering and control of long material is explained and understood in terms of site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The process for the ordering, issue and control of rock drills, airlegs, drill steel, drill bits and drilling lubricators and lubricants is explained and understood in terms of site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The process for the ordering and control of mining stores is explained and understood in terms of site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The process for the ordering, issuing and control of PPE is explained and understood in terms of site-specific requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key roles and responsibilities of the Production Supervisor performed at the start of the shift. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of observing or receiving and communicating critical information at the start of the shift is explained and understood in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information include but not limited to:

    Shift report:
  • Crush on time.
  • Shaft schedule.
  • Water.
  • Dams full.
  • Major leaks reported.
  • Air.
  • Pressure on bank.
  • Major leaks reported.
  • Timber cars.
  • Material cars down.
  • Empty cars out.
  • Ventilation.
  • Deviations in flow.
  • Refrigeration installations.
  • Electric power interruptions/outages.
  • Interruptions.
  • Outages.
  • Explosive cars (condition and contents).
  • Safety.
  • Dressings.
  • Lost time injuries.
  • Serious injuries.
  • Night Shift Cleaning report.
  • Stope panels/Development ends cleaned.
  • Stope panels/Development ends not cleaned (reasons).
  • Major falls of ground.
  • Misfires.
  • Breakdown report.
  • Daily/weekly safety topics.
  • Open flame cutting permissions (if applicable).
  • Service department reports.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Systematic supervision is performed from the station to the waiting place and action taken to rectify sub standard acts and conditions in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Systematic supervision include but not limited to:

    Station area:
  • Condition of shaft screens, loading platforms , gates telephones and illumination.
  • Condition of safety/arresting devices.
  • Legal notices and signs.
  • Air and service water pressure, water traps and shut off valves.
  • Water level in service water dams.
  • Air and service water leaks.
  • Main reef and waste tips (safety/arresting devices, protection rails, condition of grizzly, empty/full).
  • Dust extraction plant.
  • Condition of hanging and side wall (support, loose rocks).

    Haulages and Crosscuts:
  • Battery charging bay.
  • Required illumination.
  • Engineering workshops.
  • Electric sub-stations (legal notices and signs).
  • Electric cable suspension.
  • Hopper repair bays.
  • Locomotive and Hopper pre-inspection cards.
  • Fouling marks.
  • Ventilation Doors.
  • Restricted areas demarcation.
  • Condition of hanging and side wall (support, loose rocks).
  • Safety devices/appliances.
  • Condition of rail installation.
  • Spillage and sludge.
  • Stores and First Aid Stations (telephone).
  • Box Fronts (platforms, radial doors and safety devices).
  • Explosives storage and control.
  • Condition of latrines/toilets.
  • Permanent stoppings (walls).
  • Temporary stoppings (barricades).
  • Compressed air, service water and drinking water columns (suspension, valves, leaks, water traps).
  • Barricading/walling off of old stope areas.
  • Refuge bays.
  • Waiting Place (seating, barrier, plan and notice boards).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Systematic supervision is performed from the waiting place to the stope faces with the responsible persons and action taken if necessary to rectify sub standard acts and conditions in accordance with legal and site-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Include:
  • Condition of hanging and side wall (support, loose rocks).
  • Air and water isolation valves.
  • Explosives storage and control
  • Timber Bay/Material Bay.
  • Mono Rope Winch Installation.
  • Electrical installations and appliances.
  • Electric cable supports and installation.
  • Access/travelling ways.
  • Compressed air and service water columns (suspension, valves, leaks, down feeds).
  • Tip areas.
  • Gully winches.
  • Strike gullies.
  • Face winches.
  • Environmental conditions.
  • Sweepings.
  • Support (condition, spacing).
  • Top and bottom panel limits.
  • Breaking (advance per blast, over and under breaking).
  • Charging up and charging up equipment.
  • Cleaning (condition of rigging, scrapers and attachments).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Systematic supervision is performed from the waiting place to the development ends with the responsible persons and action taken if necessary to rectify sub standard acts and conditions in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the need and requirements for performing odd shift inspections. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The objective for conducting odd shift inspections is clearly explained and understood in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different types of odd shift inspections are explained and understood in terms of site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A shaft early shift is conducted and the necessary report (logbook) on the findings and actions taken are completed in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Necessary report include but not limited to:
  • Conditions and orderliness at the crush.
  • Condition of shaft loading platforms.
  • Safe loading and lowering of shift.
  • Station air and water valves (pressures).
  • Station service water dams.
  • Station safety devices.
  • Shaft screens and illumination.
  • Station main tips and filter chambers.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A shaft late shift is conducted and the necessary report (logbook) on the findings and actions taken are completed in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A section early shift is conducted and the necessary report (logbook) on the findings and actions taken are completed in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Include:
  • Locomotives-station area.
  • Refuelling/changing batteries for locomotives.
  • Haulages: Condition of drains; pipes; rails; support; ventilation doors and general housekeeping.
  • Crosscut to working place: Rail switch; air and water valves; electric isolation switch; explosive boxes; waiting place condition; waiting place procedure; entry examination.
  • Working place: Entry examination; standard of night shift cleaning; condition and distances of support; marking of shot holes; time drilling started; ventilation conditions.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    A section late shift is conducted and the necessary report (logbook) on the findings and actions taken are completed in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Report includes but not limited to:

    Drilling:
  • Length of holes.
  • Direction of holes.
  • Burden of holes.
  • Stoping width.
  • Time of drilling completed.

    Nightshift Preparation-Cleaning:
  • Rigs-top of panel.
  • Rigs-bottom of panel.
  • Rig holes in strike gully.
  • Availability, quantity and condition of snatch blocks for all rigs at rigs.
  • Condition of scraper ropes.
  • Scraper winch signalling devices.
  • Winch barricades.
  • Position and condition of scraper scoops.
  • Condition of grizzly.
  • No timber in gullies.
  • Condition of box fronts.
  • Cross Cut tracks clean.

    Blasting:
  • Distance permanent support to face.
  • Packs properly blocked or pre-stressed.
  • Availability of temporary support for Nightshift in the face.
  • Number of explosives per hole.
  • Correct fuses/electronic initiating systems used.
  • Correct length of igniter cord between holes used.
  • Igniter cord well away from combustible material.
  • Tamping used (even if anfex is used).
  • Blasting barricade correctly installed.
  • Ventilation control correct distance from face.
  • Testing for flammable gas done as per the Standard procedures.

    End of Shift Procedure:
  • Method of destroying old explosives as per mine standard.
  • Time of lighting up/connecting blast cables.
  • Time team knocked off.
  • Computer cards handed out.
  • Workers examined for injuries.
  • Work for following shift planned and discussed.
  • Compressed air control valve closed in cross cut.
  • Water control valve to reef horizon closed off.
  • Electrical power isolated.
  • Ventilation doors closed.
  • Waiting place barriers.
  • Observe and assist to control shift on shaft station.
     
    		•


    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 essential embedded knowledge will be assessed in the unit standard in an integrated manner:
  • Documents, records, plans and controls to be retained in the office of a Production Supervisor:
    > Contact details.
    > Areas of responsibility.
    > Accurate workplace records.
    > Record instructions for reasons of occupational health and safety.
    > Written appointments for certain job categories.
    > System and controls which affect production.
  • Procedures and controls for the ordering of stores, materials and equipment:
    > Observing or receiving and communicating critical information.
    > Systematic supervision from the station to the waiting place.
    > Systematic supervision from the waiting place to the stope faces.
    > Systematic supervision from the waiting place to the development ends.
  • Key roles and responsibilities of the Production Supervisor.
  • Need and requirements for performing odd shift inspections:
    > Objective for conducting odd shift inspections.
    > Different types of odd shift inspections.
    > Reports (logbooks) on the findings and actions taken. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking:
  • Note: The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept and interpret work standards correctly manage deviations from accepted work practice. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively:
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to manage the team dynamics in a specialized work environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to reconcile the information from various sources including technical reports and initiate plans and actions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations:
  • Note: The effective communication with the relevant personnel with regard to the safe and effective use of supervisory systems and controls. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others:
  • Note: Use of science and technology in respect of choice of systems and controls. 
    		•

    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 candidate to safely and effectively integrate the appropriate processes and procedures and being able to understand the consequences of not adhering to these in terms of the safety of all persons working underground. 
    		•

    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 the relevant parts of the mine health and safety act and regulations.
  • Understanding of the relevant parts of the minerals act and regulations.

    Site specific:
  • Company policies and procedures regarding relevant:
    > Mine policies and procedures.
    > 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.