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: Hydraulic Rock Breaker Operator 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101677  Occupational Certificate: Hydraulic Rock Breaker Operator 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - MQA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  54  Not Applicable  NQF Level 02  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 operate as a Hydraulic Rock Breaker Operator.

A Hydraulic Rock Breaker Operator operates and monitors a machine designed to manipulate large rocks, including reducing large rocks into smaller rocks. They are typically used in the mining industry to break and remove oversize rocks that are too large or too hard to be reduced in size by a crusher. The qualified learner will know the function and operating requirements for the hydraulic rock breaker, including health, safety and environmental requirements and will be able to operate the machine productively and safely.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Operate a hydraulic rock breaker for mining and construction operations.

    Rationale:
    There is a need in various sectors of the South African economy for machine operators. In particular, hydraulic rock breakers are essential to the construction and mining sectors. South African legislation requires persons to be trained and assessed competent before operating a hydraulic rock breaker. This qualification will train and develop the qualifying learner with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to ensure machines are operated productively and safely. This will also improve the standard of training and assessment, which will lead to better operations and improved safety and mobility of employment. Most learners will already be employed. The career progression for hydraulic rock breaker operators will be to other machine operator specialisations and to occupations in operations, engineering or training. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

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

    Entry Requirements:
  • Level 1 with communication and mathematical literacy. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:
    Knowledge Modules:
  • 734204001-KM-01, Workplace fundamentals, Level 2, 6 Credits.
  • 734204001-KM-02, Health, safety and the environment, Level 2, 8 Credits.
  • 734204001-KM-03, Operations and machines, Level 2, 4 Credits.
  • 734204001-KM-04, Components, controls and consumables, Level 2, 5 Credits.
    Total number of Credits for Knowledge Modules: 23.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 734204001-PM-01, Work safely and respond to emergencies, Level 2, 2 Credits.
  • 734204001-PM-02, Perform pre-operational activities, Level 2, 4 Credits.
  • 734204001-PM-03, Operate machine, Level 2, 8 Credits.
    Total number of Credits for Practical Skill Modules: 14.

    This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:
  • 734204001-WM-01, Workplace operations, Level 2, 17 Credits.
    Total number of Credits for Work Experience Modules: 17. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Carry-out start and end-of-shift procedures and checks, using the knowledge and understanding of the hydraulic rock breaker specifications, operational standards and operating systems and to meet all health, safety and environmental requirements.
    2. Operate the hydraulic rock breaker, using the knowledge of its performance parameters, operation controls and standards.
    3. Work safely, applying the knowledge of relevant legal and company requirements, hazard identification and risk assessment processes and procedures and environmental and operating conditions. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The start and end-of-shift procedures have been completed correctly.
  • Operational checks have been carried out according to procedures.
  • All health, safety and environmental requirements have been met.
  • An understanding of the purpose of all the checks is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The correct sequence of operations is followed.
  • The machine is operated within specified limits.
  • Any defects, damage or deviations are identified and reported and the machine is shut down or isolated in a safe manner.
  • Changes in environment or conditions are identified and reported-continuous risk assessment.
  • Man-machine interfaces are controlled safely and effectively.
  • Production targets are met.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The importance of identifying and responding to various kinds of hazard is explained.
  • How to respond to emergencies is described and explained.
  • Legal and procedural compliance with regard to the operation of the machine and working safely is described and explained.

    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.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the Assessment Quality Partner, is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external assessment will cover the following focus areas:-Carry out start and end-of-shift activities-Operate the machine-Work safely. The external assessment will consist of an evaluation of records and questioning, by a registered assessor, using specified assessment criteria requirements. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Hydraulic rock breakers are used widely in the construction and mining sectors. The countries selected for comparison were Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

    References to hydraulic rock breakers were found in the following qualifications:
    Australia:
  • RII30813 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations.

    New Zealand:
  • National Certificate in Infrastructure Works (Bulk Earthmoving).

    United Kingdom:
  • 500/4305/5 NVQ in Plant Operations.

    Similarities:
  • All the qualifications include workplace fundamentals, occupational health and safety, hazard identification and risk assessment and operating the machine.

    Differences:
    The main difference in all of the above is the core and elective construction, whereas this qualification has specific specialisations for the different machines.

    Conclusion:
    The South African Curriculum is comparable to international practice. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification can articulate horizontally to the following qualifications currently being developed:
  • Occupational Certificate: Loader Operator.
  • Occupational Certificate: Mobile Mining Equipment Operator.
  • Occupational Certificate: Skid steer Operator.
  • Occupational Certificate: Dump Truck Operator.

    This qualification can articulate vertically to the following qualifications:
  • Occupational Certificate: Excavator Operator.
  • Occupational Certificate: Dragline Operator. 
    		•

    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 required modules by means of statement of results and work experience.

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
    Physical requirements: Meet health and medical requirements Legal requirements: Operator specific requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act or Mine Health and Safety Act, as applicable.

    Criteria for the accreditation of providers:
  • Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.
  • The curriculum title and code is: 734204001: Hydraulic Rock Breaker Operator.

    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • This is not a trade qualification.

    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.