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: 

Follow basic health and safety practices underground 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9678  Follow basic health and safety practices underground 
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  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2005-04-13  2007-08-16  SAQA 0859/05 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-08-16   2011-08-16  

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 is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
244445  Follow basic health and safety practices underground  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful for people who work underground and have to follow basic health and safety practices in the interest of their own safety as well as of that of their co-workers.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Explain specified requirements pertaining to basic health and safety practices
  • Explain specified requirements pertaining to travelling underground
  • Perform basic health and safety practices 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Open 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Follow basic health and safety practices underground 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Explain specified requirements pertaining to basic health and safety practices 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Explain specified requirements pertaining to travelling underground. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Perform basic health and safety practices. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain specified requirements pertaining to basic health and safety practices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The specified requirements when encountering hazardous environmental conditions underground, and the effects to health, safety and production if such requirements are not adhered to, are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hazardous environmental conditions must include:
  • Excessive heat
  • Dust
  • Insufficient airflow
  • Flammable and noxious gases
  • Unsafe ground conditions
  • Accumulation of combustible material
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The precautions to be taken in accordance with specified requirements when encountering hazardous working conditions underground, and the effects to health, safety and production if such requirements are not adhered to, are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hazardous working conditions must include:
  • Working close to moving machinery
  • Working close to open excavations
  • Steeply inclined areas
  • Slippery surfaces
  • Water of unknown depth
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The action to be taken in accordance with specified requirements when explosives and accessories and misfires are found, and the effects to health, safety and production if such requirements are not adhered to, are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The action to be taken in accordance with specified requirements when encountering emergencies and the effects to health, safety and production if such requirements are not adhered to, are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Emergencies must include:
  • Seismic events.
  • Flooding
  • Fires
  • Power failures
  • Accidents to persons
  • Accident to shaft
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The specified requirements regarding underground hygiene in terms of the use and condition of underground toilets and the effects to health if such requirements are not adhered to, are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The precautions to be taken in accordance with specified requirements when working with pipes under pressure, the dangers associated with air and water leaks under pressure and the effects to health, safety and production if requirements are not adhered to, are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The specified requirements regarding contraband in prohibited areas and the effects to health, safety and production if requirements are not adhered to, are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain specified requirements pertaining to travelling underground. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The specified requirements regarding travelling underground, and the effects on health and safety if the requirements are not adhered to, are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Travelling requirements must include:
  • Restricted and confined areas
  • Travelling ways and routes
  • Fouling areas
  • Passing of traffic
  • Passing through a ventilation door
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The specified requirements regarding the use of underground conveyances and the effects on health, safety and production if the requirements are not adhered to, are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Using of underground conveyances must include:
  • Queuing at shaft platforms
  • Entering and leaving shaft conveyances
  • Entering and leaving personnel carriages
  • Conduct inside the conveyances
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The specified requirements in terms of surface duties before and after the underground working shift, and the effects to health, safety and production if the requirements are not adhered to, are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Entry requirements must include:
  • Time and attendance
  • Lamp house procedures for collecting, examining and returning of lamps
  • Shaft time schedules
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The purpose of symbolic signs and the effects to health, safety and production if the signs are not adhered to, are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Symbolic signs must include:
  • Warning signs
  • Mandatory signs
  • Statutory signs
  • Informative signs
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Perform basic health and safety practices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Personal protective equipment required is collected or exchanged at the designated place, examined for defects and used in accordance with design and specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Personal protective equipment must include:
  • Hard hat
  • Gloves
  • Ear protection
  • Eye protection
  • Safety boots and shoes
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Tools are fit for purpose, functional and used in accordance with accepted ergonomic principles and specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tools must include:
  • Hammer
  • Pinch bar
  • Shovel
  • Bow saw
  • Marlin spikes
  • Cold set chisel
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Material and equipment are physically lifted in a manner that prevents injuries and in accordance with accepted ergonomic principles and specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The telecommunication system is used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The consequences of not adhering to basic health and safety practices in terms of specified requirements are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Non-adherence to specified requirements must include:
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Examination and use of tools
  • Physical lifting of material and equipment
  • Usage of telecommunication systems
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.

    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate`s performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard. 

    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 of the candidate to identify sub-standard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
    Note: The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept and interpret work instructions correctly. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to indicate what methods, tools and personal protective equipment is required and communicate to fellow workers his/her intentions and assistance required. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to reconcile the information from visual and physical examinations and constantly evaluate the changing situation. 

    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 the reporting of hazards and sub-standard conditions 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 science and technology is not relevant for this unit standard. 

    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 identify and refer anomalous behaviour to a specialist confirms understanding that a specific observation, inference, action or decision can have a devastating effect. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Notes to Assessors:

    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, 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. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 244445, which is "Follow basic health and safety practices underground", Level 2, 5 credits.

    Terminology

    Specified Requirements

    Specified requirements include legal and site-specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:

    1. Legal
  • Relevant Acts: e.g. Mine Health & Safety Act, 1996 (Act no 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act no 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice
  • SABS and other relevant Standards
  • Chief Inspector of Mines` Directives

    2. 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 Risks
  • Working Guides
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49013   National Certificate: Mining Operations: Underground Hard Rock  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2007-08-16  Was MQA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  58267   General Education and Training Certificate: Mining and Minerals Processes  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  58722   National Certificate: Engineering Fabrication  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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. ALLOYS HEAD OFFICE 
    3. ANGLO PLATINUM - ENGINEERING SKILLS TRAINING CENTRE 
    4. ASSMANG (PTY) LTD 
    5. ASSMANG BEESHOEK MINE 
    6. BAFOKENG RASIMONE MANAGEMENT SERVICES PTY LTD 
    7. BANA BA THARI MINING TRANING AND DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY 
    8. BARBERTON MINES (PTY) LTD 
    9. CONCOR PROJECTS PTY LTD 
    10. EASTERN CHROME MINES SAMANCOR 
    11. ERGO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY NPC 
    12. EXXARO COAL (PTY) LTD 
    13. FINSCH DIAMOND MINE(PTY) LTD 
    14. FOSKOR (PTY) LTD 
    15. GLENCORE OPERATIONS SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD 
    16. HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD 
    17. IMPALA PLATINUM SERVICES LTD 
    18. KUMBA IRON ORE (SISHEN) 
    19. Kumba Sishen HRD Centre 
    20. LYNAZY RESOURCES 
    21. Majuba FET College - Central Office 
    22. MANCAS CONSULTINGS CC 
    23. MARULA PLATINUM PTY LTD 
    24. MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD 
    25. MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD 
    26. MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION (PTY)LTD 
    27. NORTHAM PLATINUM LTD 
    28. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    29. PPC Ltd 
    30. PROGRESSIVE TRAINING DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECTS (PTY) LTD 
    31. RICHARDS BAY MINING PTY LTD 
    32. SENZEKO EXECUTIVE RISK CC 
    33. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    34. SIBANYE RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES PTY LTD 
    35. THUNGELA OPERATIONS (PTY) LTD 
    36. TWO RIVERS PLATINUM (PTY) LTD 
    37. 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.