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 QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Occupational Certificate: Emergency Service and Rescue Official (Mines Rescue Services Worker) 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94042  Occupational Certificate: Emergency Service and Rescue Official (Mines Rescue Services Worker) 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - MQA (Services) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 11 - Services  Cleaning, Domestic, Hiring, Property and Rescue Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  32  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to minimise loss of life and assets by performing rescue and recovery services and managing fires underground.
A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Manage or extinguish underground fires in hostile environments.
  • Locate and extricate persons from unsafe areas underground.

    Rationale:
    In terms of 16.5.1 of the Mine Health and Safety Act, Act 29 of 1996, employers are required to provide and maintain mine rescue teams. Rescue teams are made up of volunteers who are employed in a range of underground mining occupations.
    To become a member of such a mine rescue team, volunteers are required, in terms of Chapter 22 of the Mine Health and Safety Act, to be assessed and found competent against a qualification recognised for the purpose by the Mining Qualifications Authority.

    To date it has proved difficult to register a national qualification for such rescue workers. This qualification addresses that need.

    The qualification was developed with the assistance of experienced senior rescue officials as well as the organisation Mines Rescue Services that licences such rescue workers to operate. Mines Rescue Services is also active in the co-ordination and leadership of rescue and fire fighting activities.

    All learners are employed in underground mining occupations. They volunteer for training and to serve in the proto teams which underground mines have a legal obligation to establish and maintain. As members of such proto teams, qualified Mines Rescue Service Workers rescue mining personnel including illegal miners, recover bodies in the case of fatalities and make safe mines or sections of mines after incidents such as accidents, fires, explosions and fall of ground.

    Qualified mines rescue services workers provide vital services relating to a range of emergencies in underground mines which contribute to the safety of mining personnel and minimise the loss of life and assets. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access to the integrated assessment:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and conform prior learning. Prior learning must be acknowledged by a statement of results.

    RPL for access to the qualification:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
  • NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:
  • Knowledge Modules: Mines rescue and emergency work, NQF Level 4, 8 Credits.
    Total: 8 Credits.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • Locate and evaluate the extent of the fire and apply the method of managing the fire, NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.
  • Locate and extricate persons and monitor and evaluate rescue operations, NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 16.

    This qualification also requires the following compulsory Work Experience Modules:
  • Fires in hostile environments while using breathing apparatus, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
  • Unsafe areas underground, NQF Level 4, 3 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 8. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Complete the Workload Test as prescribed by the Mine Health and Safety Act.
    2. Perform hazard identification and risk assessment for a fire or rescue related activity or procedure in an underground mine.
    3. Apply mines rescue principles and practices to real or simulated fire management and rescue, recovery and emergency activities in hostile environments underground. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The Workload Test is completed in the prescribed time and without depleting the oxygen of the breathing apparatus.
  • A variety of hazardous environmental and physical conditions are successfully navigated.
  • The Workload Test activities are performed in a confident and controlled manner.
  • The Workload Test is completed at the first attempt.
  • All prescribed requirements related to the breathing apparatus are met.
  • Actions taken are appropriate to the situation and conditions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The completed hazard identification and risk assessment demonstrates an understanding of principles and practices to mitigate risk for applicable hazards found in the candidate's mine.
  • The completed hazard identification and risk assessment addresses all the fundamental requirements of a hazard identification and risk assessment process.
  • The hazard identification and risk assessment addresses all the requirements stipulated in the assignment.
  • The recommended risk mitigation measures are substantive and practical.
  • The hazard identification and risk assessment has been performed by the candidate and has been signed off by a rescue team captain or a senior mine official.
  • Explanations in response to questions demonstrate understanding of the hazard identification and risk assessment (HIRA) process and principles and their application to the actual conditions in the candidate's mine.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Explanations in response to questions demonstrate understanding of mines rescue principles and key safety requirements.
  • Responses to questions related to rescue team activities demonstrate understanding of the reasons for, and consequences of, actions associated with fire management and rescue, recovery and emergency activities in hostile environments underground.
  • The answers given are practical, based on incidents experienced and according to training received.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    External Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria.

    The external assessment will be conducted through a combination of:
  • A Workload Test as prescribed by the Mine Health and Safety Act.
  • An evaluation of the hazard identification and risk assessment (HIRA) assignment completed during the work experience component.
  • An assessment of the candidate's responses to questions on actual or simulated mine rescue related activities experienced by the candidate. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    South Africa has been a leader in this field for many years, particularly because of the challenges of the type of underground mining operations conducted here.
    The training standards for mine rescue workers in both Canada and Australia were used in this comparability study.

    In the case of Canada, a comparison was made using the specifications for training found in the state of British Columbia. This programme is aligned with similar programmes in other Canadian states. In comparison to South Africa, however, mining in Canada is more technologically advanced, i.e. there is a more extensive use of equipment rather than a reliance on manual labour as in South Africa. However, in general the mining challenges are very similar.

    The approach to and conditions of training in Canada were found to be markedly similar to those in South Africa:
  • Training governed by legislation.
  • Strict physical entry requirements.
  • Initial intensive short-course training.
  • On-going annual training requirements and the duration of this training.

    In addition, the course contents are also very similar to the content covered by the South African qualification:
  • Mine rescue operational procedures.
  • Mine gases, detection and instruments.
  • Respiratory protective equipment.
  • Oxygen therapy.
  • Electrical safety.
  • Fire fighting.
  • Rescue rigging and rope work.
  • Rescue and recovery operations.
  • Incident command.
  • Scene assessment.

    A number of significant differences between the Canadian standard and the South African qualification were identified. These differences are linked to the different climates as well as the narrow tablature and great depth of South African mines.

    The Canadian standard included:
  • Special hazards of winter conditions.

    The South African qualification included:
  • Heat stress management and a heat tolerance test.
  • Operating in confined spaces.
  • Sub-strata radios.

    In the case of Australia, a comparison was made with the "Certificate III in Mine Emergency Response and Rescue" (RII30709). This qualification is described as being designed for the needs of individuals wishing to become effective members of mines rescue emergency response teams in underground mines and encompassing extensive knowledge and skills in mines rescue techniques and use of equipment in a rescue environment.

    The qualification covers the following:
    Core Competency Units:
  • Apply first aid.
  • Communicate in the workplace.
  • Work safely and follow OHS policies and procedures.
  • Conduct local risk control.
  • Maintain and monitor site quality standards.

    Elective Competency Units:
  • Monitor hazardous atmospheres.
  • Prepare equipment for emergency response.
  • Conduct fire team operations.
  • Coordinate search and rescue operations.
  • Operate breathing apparatus open circuit(optional).
  • Respond to mine incident.
  • Respond to local emergencies and incidents.
  • Operate in self-contained regenerative oxygen breathing apparatus (optional).
  • Control underground fires.
  • Conduct underground search.
  • Extricate casualties from underground incident.
  • Establish and operate from fresh air base.
  • Apply risk management processes.

    Once again the specified training activities, the skills and knowledge, as well as the course duration and follow up activities required to participate as a member of a mines rescue team are almost identical to the South Africa requirements.

    Conclusion:
    The training represented by the South African qualification is comparable to that in other countries. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification can articulate horizontally to a qualification that is currently being developed:
    Occupational Qualification: Fire Fighter, at NQF Level 4. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
    In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience including Foundational Learning Competence or equivalent.

    Additional legal or physical environment:
    A valid licence to practise issued by a mines rescue services provider as contemplated in the Mine Health and Safety Act is a pre-requisite for the awarding of this qualification.

    Learners must meet the following legal and medical requirements to function as a Mines Rescue Services Worker prior to registering for training and prior to reporting for the External Summative Assessment must:
  • Be between 21 and 46 years of age.
  • Have been declared medically fit to work underground.
  • Have passed a heat tolerance test.
  • Have a Competent Person A certification for the relevant mining operation and mine.
  • Be able to work in hot, irrespirable environments, confined spaces and areas with limited visibility.

    Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers:
    Accreditation of providers to provide this qualification will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

    The curriculum title and code is: Mines Rescue Services Worker 541902001.

    Trades Covered by this Qualification:
    This qualification is not a trade.

    Part Qualifications
    None. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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.