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: 

Conduct basic rope work operations from fixed platforms 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115458  Conduct basic rope work operations from fixed platforms 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Special Combat Capabilities 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Sovereignty of the State 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will provide learners with the basic rope work skills and techniques required to participate in rope work operations from fixed platforms.

The achievement of this unit standard will contribute to the personal development of members in the special operations environment and further mobility and transportability within the civilian environment of emergency services, adventure based training and mountaineering.

This unit standard in conjunction with the unit standards "Conduct fast roping operations" and "Conduct rope work operations from helicopters" prepares learners to successfully take part in helicopter operations for the purpose of maintaining peace and security in the RSA.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Prepare personal equipment.
  • Apply the relevant safety aspects.
  • Apply rope work knots.
  • Utilise anchor systems.
  • Demonstrate the various abseiling techniques. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners applying to enter this programme are assumed to be competent in:
  • English literacy skills required for NQF level 4.
  • Unit Standard in Fast Roping Operations NQF level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare personal equipment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Rope work software and hardware. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal equipment is identified and prepared according to workplace procedures (eg, stowing rope/leg bags, harness fitted securely, ensuring serviceability of equipment). 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Apply the relevant safety aspects. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The various emergencies that could occur during abseiling (e.g. hook up on the rope or friction device) are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The relevant procedures for rectifying emergencies during abseiling (according to the work place procedures) are discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The duties and responsibilities of the safetyman during abseiling (according to work place procedures) are discussed. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply rope work knots. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Knots must be tied during the day and night. The following scope is applicable:
  • Stoppers (Overhand, figure 8, figure 9).
  • Loops (figure 8, figure 9, double figure 8, bowline, alpine butterfly).
  • Bends (sheet bend, double fisherman's knot, reef knot, tape knot).
  • Shortenings (sheep shank).
  • Hitches (clove hitch, Italian hitch, prussic knot [ three wrap classic, French prussic, bachman, klemheist]). 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The uses of the various knots (according to work place procedures) are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The various knots are tied in accordance with prescriptions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Utilise anchor systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Anchor systems must be established during the day and night. The following scope is applicable:
  • Tensionless hitch.
  • Two point load sharing.
  • Three point load sharing. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The equipment required to establish the appropriate anchor system is correctly identified taking terrain and safety into consideration. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An appropriate anchor system is established within the time frame stipulated by the work place procedure, and making use of the appropriate hardware. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An improvised anchor system is established making use of software and one connector within the time frame stipulated by the work place procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The rigging of anchor systems is demonstrated taking critical angles into consideration. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The uses of the various anchor systems are discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The inspection of the anchor system for safety, according to work place procedures, (eg, equalising the system, connectors closed, rope protectors in place, safety knots) is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate the various abseiling techniques. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Abseiling must be conducted during the day and night, with and without equipment from a minimum height of ten meters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The abseiling techniques are demonstrated from a fixed platform according to work place procedures. 


    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 or will assess this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to be assessed by any relevant assessment agency, assessor or provider institution, which is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Equipment required for conducting abseiling operations.
  • The application of safety during abseiling.
  • The duties and responsibilities of the safetyman during abseiling.
  • Differentiate between the various knots and abseiling techniques.
  • Differentiate between the uses and applications of the various anchor systems that can be used during abseiling.
  • Understand the method of communication during abseiling. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community. Learners are capable of safely abseiling as individuals or within a team while taking their fellow team members into consideration. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and mange oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively. In achieving this unit standard learners will be capable of preparing themselves, their environment and their personal equipment for rope work operations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual and language skills in modes of oral and written persuasion. In achieving this unit standard learners will be able to effectively communicate by means of visual and oral commands during abseiling descents during the execution of rope work operations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others. Learners credited with this unit standard are able to apply science and technology to ensure the safe execution of abseiling during rope work operations. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep in mind the following general guidelines and principles when designing and conducting assessments:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the specific outcomes of the unit standard and ensure that the assessment is integrated rather than fragmented.
  • 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.
  • Assessment must include demonstration either in the workplace or through simulation. A range of assessment methods should be used, including:
    - Direct observation - watch the learner applying the correct rope work techniques.
    - Simulation of a specific task - set a specific scenario to be demonstrated e.g. demonstrating the aircraft drills during emergencies).
    - Questioning (verbal or written) - ask the relevant questions linked to the unit standard.
    - Testimony - collect a portfolio of evidence from suitable people (e.g. trainer or supervisor). 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary Information

    Definitions
  • Software: All rope work equipment that is made of material/webbing (e.g. ropes, slings, harnesses).
  • Hardware: All rope work equipment that is made of hardened materials (e.g. helmet, connectors, friction devices).

    Credits
  • Classroom learning: 12 hours
  • On-the-job learning: 13 hours
  • Self directed learning: 5 hours
  • Coaching required: 15 hours
  • Other: 5 hours

    Total: 50 hours 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48879   National Diploma: South African Special Forces Operations  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2010-04-07  Was SAS SETA until Last Date for Achievement 


    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 


    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.