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: Lamproom Assistant

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
110672	Occupational Certificate: Lamproom Assistant
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	40	Not Applicable	NQF Level 02	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Registered"		EXCO 0425/24	2019-09-11	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:
This qualification is part of the Occupational Certificate: Lamproom Supervisor and aims to provide the knowledge, skills and work-based learning to learners to operate as a lamproom assistant. The qualification allows the learner to support and facilitate the smooth execution of the lamproom processes by conducting physical inspections and basic repairs on equipment, execute housekeeping and stock taking duties and assisting the supervisor in maintaining all occupational health and safety standards in the lamproom.

Rationale:
Every mine and mining related operation in South Africa is legally required to establish and effectively operate a lamproom. The purpose of a lamproom is to issue all people entering the operations area with safety and related equipment that is functioning properly.

Lamproom operations are becoming more sophisticated and this operation within the Mine Health and Safety value chain is increasingly being recognised as key to the ongoing improvement of the health and safety of employees. If the lamproom operation does not function according to legal requirements, mines are prevented from continuing their operations.

The mining industry is continually striving towards the improvement of occupational health and safety standards. Because of this focus the role of the lamproom supervisor is becoming increasingly important.

The need for an occupational qualification for the role of the Lamproom Supervisors and their support staff was identified by the industry because of the critical role that the lamproom plays in the occupational health and safety value chain. Operators in the lamproom are appointed in terms of the mining regulations and they are licensed to practice by the mines and minerals regulator.

Each and every mine in the country requires competent lamproom operators. This qualification also creates opportunities for entry into the industry and opens up opportunities for articulation into technical mining and engineering environments. It also opens opportunities to progress to occupations in mining stores and warehousing.

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 results or by 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:
Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) Level 3.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills and Work Experience Modules:

Knowledge Modules:

432105-000-00-01-KM-01, Fundamentals of maintenance and tool use, Level 2, 10 Credits.

432105-000-00-01-KM-02, Fundamentals of lamproom operations, Level 2, 6 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 16.

Practical Skill Modules:

432105-000-00-01-PM-03, Continuously inspect equipment to detect defects and initiate actions to correct, Level 2, 8 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 8.

Work Experience Modules:

432105-000-00-01-WM-04, Perform the processes of testing and maintenance of equipment, Level 2, 16 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 16.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Describe the function and process of the lamp room indicating all the equipment needed and how the equipment works.
2. Describe the application of the hazard and risk assessment process in the lamproom.
3. Identify faults on key equipment issued through the lamproom and demonstrate how the faults must be corrected.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Draw a rough sketch of an operating lamproom indicating the position and purpose of the following elements in the lamproom - Entrance and exit from the lamproom, Emergency exit, Positioning of the equipment racks, Testing points, Calibration points, Different storerooms, Repair bays, Notice boards, Emergency equipment, Gas cylinder store, Ventilation processes and requirements, and legal exemptions.

Describe operating principles of cap lamps, self-contained self-rescuer and gas detecting instruments accurately indicating, the power sources and how the power sources are maintained (cap lamps and gas detection/monitoring/measuring instruments), the processes for calibrating the equipment, the testing process to ensure functionality and the associated parameters that will indicate the functionality of the equipment, the purpose and limitations of the equipment when using it in the workplace, and how the equipment must be used and cared for in the work environment. All the descriptions comply with the approved manufacturers standards and requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Use appropriate practical examples to describe the difference between hazards and risks.

Describe the process of doing hazard and risk assessments in a lamproom is described using practical examples.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
Given the range of equipment that is issued from the lamp room (personal illumination equipment, self-contained self-rescuers and gas detection/measuring/monitoring equipment):

Test/inspect the equipment and determine their functionality.

Determine the faults on equipment that is not functional.

Conduct practical repairs to correct problems within the scope of work of the lampman (assemble and disassemble, replace spare parts/key components).

Describe the actions to be taken to deal with problems outside the scope of the lampman.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated Formative Assessment:
The skills development providers 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 relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) Assessment Quality Partner is required to issue this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification was compared to international standards and best practices used to capacitate lamproom staff in other countries. A study was conducted to obtain information pertaining to mining and related qualifications, courses and programmes from several overseas countries such as:

Canada.

United Kingdom.

India.

Australia.

New Zealand.

Australia:
Lamprooms, also known as Lamp Cabins or Lamp Stations, are defined as: rooms or buildings at the surface of a mine for charging, servicing and issuing all cap, hand and flame safety lamps. Lamprooms are located at fixed places in the intake airway of a coal mine where the miners' safety lamps are externally examined by a deputy before the workers proceed to their work areas. In a safety lamp mine, the lamp station is the only place where flame safety lamps may be opened and re-lighted. Lamprooms are locations in gaseous mines where safety lamps are opened cleaned and refilled or charged by a qualified attendant.

It was not possible to find a model similar to the proposed occupational qualification.

The only reference to a lamproom that could be found was in an Australian Qualification, where lamproom operations are listed as an elective unit of competency (unit standard).

The content of the Australian unit standard correlates well with the modules as set out in the South African occupational certificate.

Despite the absence of a specific qualification, an Australian learner electing the lamp cabin operations unit of competence will be able to structure a qualification (Certificate II in Underground Coal Mining) which is very similar in content to the proposed South African occupational certificate.

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Countries:

People working in lamprooms in SADC countries are trained informally at operational level and will not have any qualification other than an in-company certificate.

This is in keeping with the practice internationally, where statutory compliance is still determined by means of examinations of competence over a broad spectrum of topics and not as specific as entertained by qualifications such as the proposed National Certificate: Lamproom Operations.

Conclusion:
This qualification compares favourably with the standards and best practices provided internationally.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification has the following articulation possibilities.

Horizontal Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Mining Operator (Drill Rig Operator: Underground Coal), National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Mining Operator (Coal Cutter Operator: Underground Coal), NQF Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Mining Operator (Hauling Equipment Operator: Underground Coal), NQF Level 2.

Occupational Certificate: Mining Operator (Roof Bolt Operator: Underground Coal), NQF Level 2.

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Lamp room Supervisor NQF Level 3.

Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician (Strata Control Observer: Underground Hardrock), NQF Level 3.

Occupational Certificate: Mining Technician (Mine Ventilation Observer), NQF Level 3.

Occupational Certificate: Mining Operator (Continuous Miner Operator: Underground Coal, NQF Level 3.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

This qualification is part of the Occupational Certificate: Lamproom Supervisor: 432105-000-00-00.

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.

Additional legal or physical entry requirements:

None.

Criteria for the accreditation of providers:

Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) website.

The curriculum title and code is:

Lamproom Assistant: 432105-000-00-01.

Encompassed Trades:

This is not a trade qualification.

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):

National Artisan Moderating Body (NAMB).

Parent Qualification:

432105-000-00-00, Lamproom Supervisor, Level 3.

Derived Qualifications Related to Occupational Certificate: Lamproom Assistant Qualification.

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