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:

Handle explosives in a surface mining environment

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115514	Handle explosives in a surface mining environment
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	5
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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard.

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

This unit standard is useful for people who are required to handle explosives in a surface mining environment.
People credited with this unit standard are able to

Demonstrate understanding of explosives handling, transport and storage;

Transport, store and handle explosives and accessories;

Assist personnel responsible for charging and firing blastholes; and

Adhere to occupational safety and health requirements.

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:

Numeracy and communication at NQF Level 1

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 a basic understanding of explosives handling, transport and storage.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Specified requirements pertaining to the handling, transport and storage of explosives and accessories are explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Specified requirements must include the following:

Prevention of accidental detonation

Access to explosives

Separation of explosives and accessories

Transportation requirements (including vehicle requirements)

Security

Quantities (transportation, stacking)

Storage facilities

Expired and spoiled explosives

Lightning

Treatment and disposal of misfired explosives

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Explosives and accessories are identified.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Identification must include the following:

Types of explosives and accessories

Generic and brand name

Packaging codes

Blasting tools and equipment

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

The application of explosives and accessories in a surface mining environment is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Application must include the following:

Effect (power)

Dangers

Different applications

Drilling (drill hole diameter, depth and inclination)

Priming

Charging

Stemming (depth and materials)

Firing

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Transport and store explosives and accessories.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Transport and store explosives and accessories.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Explosives are accessed in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Explosives are transported in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Transportation requirements must include the following:

Vehicle and driver

Transporting of different types of explosives together

Transport rules

Quantities

Explosives safety

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Explosives and accessories are stored in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Storage requirements must include the following:

Storing different types together

Stacking requirements

Fire prevention measures

Condition of explosives

Distances

Explosives safety

Guarding

Access

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Personal protective equipment is selected and worn in accordance with specified requirements.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Assist personnel responsible for charging and firing blastholes.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Explosives, accessories and tools are handled in accordance with specified requirements (No unauthorised items are handled).

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

The responsible person's instructions are followed.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Activities are carried out in accordance with specified requirements (No unauthorised activities are conducted).

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Activities must include the following:

Transporting (See SO2)

Storing (See SO2)

Checking

Opening explosives

Making up primers

Charging holes

Stemming

Timing

Communicating

Clearing blast area

Placement of guards

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Explosives packaging is dealt with in accordance with specified requirements.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Adhere to safety and health requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Personal protective equipment is checked and used in accordance with specified requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Hazards and sub-standard conditions are identified and dealt with in accordance with requirements or reported to responsible persons.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Incidents and accidents are reported in accordance with specified requirements.

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.

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.

The ability of the candidate to identify sub-standard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept and interpret work instructions correctly.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

The ability of the candidate to indicate what methods, tools and personal protective equipment is required and communicate to fellow workers his/her intentions and assistance required.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

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.

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.fect.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

The ability of the candidate to use equipment, follow processes and access and record data in a technological environment in accordance with environmental, occupational health and safety requirements.

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.

The ability of the candidate to identify and refer anomalous behaviour to a specialist confirms understanding that a specific observation, inference, action or decision can 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 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

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 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991) ; Explosives Act (Act 26/1956)

Mandatory Codes of Practice

SANS and other relevant Standards

Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives/Instructions

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

Level

Attribute-Level-Justification
Skills-2-Moderate in range.
Procedures-2-Established and familiar.
Context-2-Range of familiar.
Knowledge-2-Basic operational.
Information processing-2-Basic processing of readily available information.
Problem Solving-2-Known solutions to familiar problems.
Orientation of activities-2-Directed.

Application of responsibility-1-Under close supervision.
Orientation of scope of responsibility-2-Some responsibility for quantity and quality, and possible responsibility for guiding others.

Average level: = 17/9 = 1.88 Actual level aigned: = 2

Credits

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

Activity-Hours
Classroom Teaching-10
On-The-Job Training-30
Mentoring required-10
Other (Specify)-0
Total-50

Credits assigned: = 50/10 = 5.0 Credits assigned: = 5

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core	57121	National Certificate: Rockbreaking: Quarrying	Level 3	NQF Level 03	Passed the End Date - Status was "Registered"	2008-09-17	Was MQA 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.

1.	EXXARO COAL (PTY) LTD
2.	HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD
3.	MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD
4.	PRISMA TRAINING SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD
5.	THUNGELA OPERATIONS (PTY) LTD
6.	XTRACT TRAINING SERVICES (SA)(PTY)LTD