SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Make a large excavation safe in deep geo-technical conditions

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9799	Make a large excavation safe in deep geo-technical conditions
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	3
REGISTRATION STATUS		REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE	SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		2005-04-13	2008-04-09	SAQA 0859/05
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2009-04-09		2012-04-09

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
254587	Make a working place safe in a mine	Level 3	NQF Level 03	4

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

This unit standard will be useful to people who are responsible for the making safe of large excavations in deep geotechnical conditions before continuing with any further mining activities.

People credited with this unit standard are able to

Demonstrate knowledge of examination and making safe

Prepare for visual and physical examination and to make safe

Conduct a visual examination

Conduct a physical examination

Make safe

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 (Language at ABET Level 3)

Knowledge of strata (identification of strata)

Use relevant tools and measuring instruments

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

Demonstrate knowledge of examination and making safe.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Demonstrate knowledge of examinations and making safe.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

1. The interpretation of text and the description of geological structures and fracturing confirm understanding.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Conduct a visual examination.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Conduct a physical examination.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Make safe.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

2. Explanations are provided outlining the entry and watering down procedures in line with mine specific requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7

3. Explanations are provided concerning adverse conditions in terms of means of recognition and actions for correction.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Prepare for visual and physical examination and to make safe.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The required personal protective equipment is selected, examined and used in a way that is consistent with its purpose, design and specified requirements. Equipment is used so that the safety of the operator, team and equipment is protected.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Hand protection

Safety boots

Safety hat

Safety chain

Eye protection

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. All tools, material and equipment required for examinations and making safe are selected, examined and ensured to be ready for use according to specified mine procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The methods for high panel observation are explained in line with mine specific procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The workplace is watered down according to mine specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. The consequences of inadequate preparation are described in terms of the potential effect on safety, health, equipment and production.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Conduct a visual examination.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The possible mining hazards relating to the hangingwall, sidewall and footwall are identified.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The geological structures are identified and interpreted in terms of potential associated hazards.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Faults and dykes

Joints, dip and strike orientation

Bedding

Thickness of strata

Mine specific rock types and their basic qualities

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Mining and stress related fractures are identified and interpreted in terms of potential associated hazards.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Mining induced

Vertical or horizontal stress fractures

Blast related fractures

Friable rock

Condition of support systems

Support spacing and quality

Excavation width-height dimension

Bed separation

Brow support

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The importance of conducting thorough examinations and consequences of inadequate examinations are described in terms of the potential effect on safety, health, equipment and production.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Conduct a physical examination.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The selected tools, equipment and materials are used in accordance with mine specified requirements, without injury to self or others.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The working area is tested and sounded to identify hazardous conditions.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The decisions taken for physical action are appropriate for dealing with the identified hazards and in line with the practical reach of the equipment, in accordance with mine specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Barring down

Barricading off

Install temporary support

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The potential unstable areas are immediately reported, recorded and monitored according to specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. The importance of conducting thorough examinations and consequences of inadequate examinations are described in terms of the potential effect on safety, health, equipment and production.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5

Make safe.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The decisions for physical action are implemented immediately.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Barring down

Barricading off

Installation of temporary support

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The excavation is made safe according to mine specific procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The actions taken and status of the excavation are reported to designated personnel according mine specific requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The consequences of deviating from mine specific procedures are described in terms of the potential effect on safety, health, equipment and production.

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.

The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:

Health and safety knowledge

Report writing

Legal and site-specific requirements

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 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 and to request assistance with making safe in an appropriate manner as a team member.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

Note: The preparation for making safe, the candidate must indicate what tools and personal protective equipment is required and communicate to fellow workers his/her intentions.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

Note: The ability of the candidate to reconcile the information from the visual examination 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 electronic sounding methods to detect potentially loose rock as well as use of mechanised barring equipment indicates effective use of science and technology.

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 hazard conditions. The effect of non-compliance and deviation from mine procedures will indicate his her proficiency in understanding that a specific action or decision taken has more than one 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

This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 254587, which is "Make a working place safe in a mine", Level 3, 3 credits.

Terminologjy

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 Specifiic

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:

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