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 support by means of blasting

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9698	Remove support 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 have the responsibility of removing support by means of blasting. People credited with this unit standard are able to: Explain the specified requirements pertaining to the removal of support by means of blasting Prepare to blast out support Blast out support

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 underground

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 the specified requirements pertaining to the removal of support by means of blasting.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The specified requirements regarding the making safe of the workplace, and the effects to health, safety and production if the specified requirements are not adhered to, are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Range must include: Placement of guards, barricades and warning signs Exposure to blasting fumes Inadvertent entry to blasting area

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Prepare to blast out support.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Blast out support.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

2. The specified requirements regarding the action to be taken to prevent fires, and the effects to health, safety and production if the specified requirements are not adhered to, are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

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

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

4. The importance of removing support by means of blasting in accordance with specified requirements and the consequences to health, safety and production if specified requirements are not adhered, are explained.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Prepare to blast out support.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

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

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Tools and equipment are available, operational and fit for purpose and the design is according to specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Permission to blast is obtained from the designated person in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Precautions taken to prevent injuries, gassing, gas explosions and fires are in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Range must include: Placement of guards, barricades and warning signs Warning of persons Prevention of inadvertent entry to 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 are transported to the designated area and the charge prepared in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

6. The consequences to health, safety and production of not adhering to specified requirements while preparing to remove support, are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Range must include: Not using or using defective personal protective equipment Blasting without permission Not taking the necessary precautions to prevent injuries, gassing, gas explosions and persons entering hazardous conditions Incorrect handling and transport of explosives

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Blast out support.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Charging up is conducted in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Range must include: Positioning of the charges Tools and equipment Timing/synchronisation of the charges Initiation system

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The charges are initiated in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Range must include: Prescribed area Positioning of persons Re-entry period

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Post-blasting activities are conducted in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Range must include: Re-entry examination Watering down Examination of blasted and affected areas Unused explosives Notification to resume normal work

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

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

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Reports are completed and submitted in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

6. The consequences to health, safety and production of not adhering to specified requirements while removing support ground, are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Range must include: Incorrect placement of charges Incorrect timing of charge Not blasting from a safe position Not adhering to re-entry times Not examining the blasted area Not enhancing teamwork and avoiding conflict Not submitting 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. The embedded knowledge required for this unit standard is found in Specific Outcome " Explain the specified requirements pertaining to the removal of support by means of blasting."

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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

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.	FOSKOR (PTY) LTD
5.	HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD
6.	IMPALA PLATINUM SERVICES LTD
7.	MANCAS CONSULTINGS CC
8.	MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD
9.	MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD
10.	NORTHAM PLATINUM LTD
11.	PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD
12.	SENZEKO EXECUTIVE RISK CC
13.	SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED

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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.