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: 

Remove hazardous ground by means of blasting 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9697  Remove hazardous ground by means of blasting 
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 3  NQF Level 03  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2005-04-13  2008-04-13  SAQA 0859/05 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2009-04-13   2012-04-13  

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 people who are required to remove hazardous ground by means of blasting.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Explain specified requirements pertaining to the removal of hazardous ground by means of blasting
  • Prepare to blast down hazardous ground
  • Blast down hazardous ground 
    		•

    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:
  • Follow basic health and safety practices pertaining to mining operations
  • Test for flammable gas by means of a hand held electronic instrument and take appropriate action.
  • Remove loose rocks by means of barring in an underground workplace
  • Support an underground workplace by means of stick support.
  • Install and remove mechanical props.
  • Charge shot holes with cartridged explosives and accessories 
    		•

    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 
    Explain specified requirements pertaining to the removal of hazardous ground by means of blasting. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The specified requirements regarding the action to be taken should the charge misfire or fail to explode within the specified time limit and includes the effects to health, safety and production if the specified requirements are not adhered to are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Prepare to blast hazardous ground. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Blast hazardous ground. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    2. The significant risks and consequences associated with the workplace hazards pertaining to the removal of hazardous ground by means of blasting are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of workplace hazards must include:
  • Unsafe support conditions
  • Unsafe ground conditions
  • Harmful gases
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    3. The significant risks and consequences risks associated with the work related hazards pertaining to the removal of hazardous ground by means of blasting are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of work related hazards must include:
  • Handling explosives
  • Placing charges within hazardous ground conditions.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    4. The specified requirements in terms of characteristics and properties of the explosives and accessories used for blasting hazardous ground are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Characteristics and properties must include:
  • Water solubility
  • Detonation sensitivity
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare to blast down hazardous ground. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Personal protective equipment is available, fit for purpose, operational and used according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The required tools, equipment, explosives and accessories are available, operational, fit for purpose, and used according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Permission to blast is obtained from the designated person in the specified format and information is according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Precautions taken to prevent injuries, gassing, gas explosions and fires are according to specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of precautions taken must include:
  • Placement of:
    - Guards
    - Barricades
    - Warning signs
  • Warning of persons
  • Prevention of persons inadvertently entering the affected area
  • Testing for harmful gases
  • Watering down
  • Removal of combustible and flammable substances.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The required type and quantity of explosives and accessories are transported and prepared according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The blasting area is examined for workplace hazards associated with blasting down hazardous ground. Workplace hazards are dealt with according to specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of workplace hazards must include:
  • Unsafe support conditions
  • Unsafe ground conditions
  • Harmful gasses
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The consequences to health, safety and production of not adhering to specified requirements while preparing to blast down hazardous ground are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of non-adherence to specified requirements must include:
  • Personal protective equipment.
  • Selection, examination and use of tools, equipment, explosives and accessories.
  • Blasting without permission
  • Precautions to prevent injuries, gassing, gas explosions and fires
  • Transportation and preparation of explosives and accessories
  • Area examination.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Blast down hazardous ground. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Charges are placed, secured and timed according to specified requirements and the ignition system is connected according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Work related hazards pertaining to the blasting of hazardous ground are dealt with according to specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of work related hazards must include those for.
  • Handling explosives
  • Placing charges within hazardous ground.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The charge is ignited, persons are positioned in a safe place and the prescribed re-entry period is adhered to according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The blasted area is re-examined for workplace hazards associated with blasting down hazardous ground. Workplace hazards are dealt with according to specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of workplace hazards must include:
  • Unsafe support conditions
  • Unsafe ground conditions
  • Harmful gases
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Interpersonal interaction is positive, consistent with specified requirements, promotes effective teamwork and avoids dysfunctional conflict. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Reports are completed and submitted according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The consequences to health, safety and production of not adhering to specified requirements while blasting down hazardous ground are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of non-adherence to specified requirements must include:
  • Placement, securing and timing of charges
  • Ignition of charges, placement of persons and adherence to re-entry period
  • Re-examination of blasted area
  • Interpersonal interaction
  • Reports
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • 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. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written presentations. 

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

    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. 

    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, 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 
    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, 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

    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 of 1993 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49014   National Certificate: Rockbreaking: Underground Hard Rock  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2007-08-16  Was MQA until Last Date for Achievement 


    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. ASSMANG BEESHOEK MINE 
    2. BARBERTON MINES (PTY) LTD 
    3. CONCOR PROJECTS PTY LTD 
    4. EXXARO COAL (PTY) LTD 
    5. FOSKOR (PTY) LTD 
    6. HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD 
    7. IMPALA PLATINUM SERVICES LTD 
    8. KUMBA IRON ORE (SISHEN) 
    9. MANCAS CONSULTINGS CC 
    10. MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD 
    11. MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD 
    12. NORTHAM PLATINUM LTD 
    13. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    14. SENZEKO EXECUTIVE RISK CC 
    15. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 


    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.