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:

Support in blasting operations

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115527	Support in blasting operations
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	4
REGISTRATION STATUS		REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE	SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date - Status was "Registered"		2004-08-11	2007-08-11	SAQA 0655/04
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-08-11		2011-08-11

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
252754	Support the blasting operations	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

This Unit Standard will be useful to people who are responsible to support in blasting operations. People credited with this Unit Standard are able to:

Prepare to charge shot holes;

Charge shot holes

Demonstrate relevant legal knowledge of explosives and accessories.

Demonstrate knowledge of types of explosives and accessories.

The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and contribute to the upliftment and economic growth of the mining and minerals sector.

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:

Communication skills (English at ABET Level 3/Grade 7)

Knowledge of in-pit operation

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 must include the following:

All activities are carried out in accordance with instructions from the holder of the Rock Breaking certificate.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Prepare to charge shot holes.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Instructions are interpreted correctly and the sequence of operations is determined according to specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Hazard identification is conducted to comply with risk assessment requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Persons are removed from charging area in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Barricades are erected in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Shot holes are measured and dewatered in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

Explosives delivered to site are stored in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7

Approved supplied Personal Protective Equipment and hygiene consumable usage is adhered to.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Charge shot holes.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Explosives are placed in shot holes under the direct supervision of the holder of a Rock Breaking certificate.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Shot holes are connected up under the direct supervision of the holder of a Rock Breaking certificate.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Persons and equipment are evacuated from the area in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Gas sampling is conducted in accordance with specified requirements.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Demonstrate relevant legal knowledge of explosives and accessories.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Applicable statutory requirements of the Explosives Act, 1956 (Act No. 26 of 1956) are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Applicable Explosives Act must include:

Chapter 6 - Transport of Explosives

Chapter 8 - Storage of Blasting Material

Chapter 10 - Use of Blasting Material

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Applicable regulations from the Minerals Act, 1991 (Act No. 50 of 1991) in force in terms of Schedule 4 of the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996) are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Applicable regulations must include:

Chapter 8 - Responsibility in Workings

Chapter 9 - Explosives

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Demonstrate knowledge of types of explosives and accessories.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Identification of different types of explosives and accessories is explained in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Different types of explosives and accessories must include (where applicable):

Bulk Emulsions

ANFO

Ammonium Nitrate

Packaged explosives

Detonating cords

Pentolite Boosters

Shock tube systems

Electric and electronic detonators

Safety fuse

Shot firing apparatus

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Consequences of non-compliance with legal requirements regarding explosives and accessories are explained.

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. Without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge, candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes to the standards described in the assessment criteria. 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 substandard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Work effectively with others as a member 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 himself / herself and his / her activities responsibly and effectively.

Note: The ability of the candidate to indicate what methods, tools and personal protective equipment are required, and to communicate to fellow workers his / her intentions and the 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 substandard conditions will indicate his / her proficiency in effective communication.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Use science and technology effectively and critically, thus 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 his / her understanding of the fact that a specific observation, inference, action or decision may 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 is able to 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, namely 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 252754, which is " Support in blasting operations", Level 2, 4 credits.

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

Unit Standard Justification

Skills: Level 1: A limited number of simple skills are required such as on a production line where theperson uses the same skills repeatedly.

Procedures: Level 1: The same sequence takes place again and again, with no alternatives.

Context: Level 2: Although the process could occur in different contexts, the contexts are repeatedly applicable and known to the candidate.

Knowledge: Level 2: The knowledge required is merely related to the operation and no theory needs to be applied.

Information processing: Level 1: The information required for competency can be recalled without any processing.

Problem Solving: Level 2: The candidate will only have to apply given solution to known/familiar problems.

Orientation of activities: Level 2: Follows instructions

Orientation of scope of responsibility: Level 2: Some responsibility towards quantity and quality, i.e. responsible for quantity and quality of items but not the overall output. Sometimes responsible for guidance of others.

Application of responsibility: Level 1: The candidate is supervised very closely.

Average Level: 14/9 = 1.55
Actual Level Assigned: 2

Credits:

Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:

Classroom Teaching: 10 hours

On-The-Job Training: 30 hours

Total: 40 hours

Credits Achieved: 40/10 = 4
Actual Credits Assigned: 4

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

NONE

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