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 a risk assessment using geotechnical data and a local geotechnical plan 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120399  Conduct a risk assessment using geotechnical data and a local geotechnical plan 
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 4  NQF Level 04  2 
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 be useful to people who are responsible for assessing rock related risks.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Apply the criteria used to assess rock engineering risk from geotechnical plans.
  • Prepare to conduct a risk assessment.
  • Conduct a risk assessment.
  • Communicate results of the risk assessment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3.
  • Strata Control at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    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 
    Apply the criteria used to assess rock engineering risk from geotechnical plans. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The types of rock engineering related risk assessment systems are described according to their uses. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Stope sheet appraisals.
  • Face shape indices.
  • Panel rating systems.
  • Rock mass ratings.
  • Ground control districts.
  • Incident/accident analyses.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The criteria used to assess risks are provided in relation to mining layouts, seismicity, and geological structures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Face shapes.
  • Inter-panel leads and lags.
  • Mining sequence.
  • Pillar establishment.
  • Remnant blocks.
  • Siding practice.
  • Mining direction.
  • Face length.
  • Face advance.
  • Spans.
  • Distance between excavations.
  • Interaction between workings.
  • Seismic history.
  • Distance to workings.
  • Zones of influence.
  • Angle of approach.
  • Dip and dip direction.
  • Condition of structure.
  • Frequency of structures.
  • Block sizes.
  • Event clustering.
  • Time histories.
  • Gutenburg-richter event distributions.
  • Recurrence times.
  • On-shift/off-shift ratios.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Special areas are identified, recorded and reported in accordance with mine specific requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare to conduct a risk assessment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The risk assessment is scheduled with cognizance taken for the need to have relevant information depicted on plans. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The methods used to conduct the risk assessment are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The materials required to capture results of the risk assessment are made available. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Data capture templates.
  • Previous risk assessments.
  • Seismic records.
  • Results of numerical analysis.
  • Incident/accident statistics.
  • Geological information.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Conduct a risk assessment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Data is captured in accordance with mine specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Geological structures.
  • Mining layout.
  • Seismicity.
  • Special areas.
  • Mining practice.
  • Compliance to controls.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The risks ascertained from plan scrutiny are identified, recorded and reported in accordance with mine specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The risks identified are ranked with respect to frequency, severity and consequences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of not adequately defining risks are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Communicate results of the risk assessment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Observations, measurements and evaluations are presented in accordance with mine specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A comparison of current and previous results is presented to communicate improvements or deteriorations of assessment parameters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The relevant personnel are informed of the results of the inspection effectively and timeously. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The status of implementation of previously recommended actions is assessed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Reference to previous reports.
  • Identified shortcomings.
  • Observed and measured compliance.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the Unit Standard.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Knowledge relating to the procedure of conducting geotechnical risk assessment:

    > Purpose of conducting geotechnical risk assessment.
    > Geotechnical risk assessment principles and methods.
    > Typical equipment used and their applications.
    > Relevant terminology.
    > Possible non-conformances, their consequences and mitigating actions.
  • Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Issues:

    > Significant hazards and risks related to conducting geotechnical risk assessment, their consequences and mitigating actions.
    > Safety measures related to conducting geotechnical risk assessments.
    > PPE requirements and the reason for each.
    > Impact on the environment and mitigating actions.
    > Emergency procedures.
  • Applicable statutory requirements:

    > Relevant clauses from applicable acts and regulations.
    > Codes of practice.
    > Competency requirements and restrictions of personnel conducting geotechnical risk assessments.
  • Communication:

    > Reporting requirements and ability.
    > Communicating with relevant personnel.
    > Liaison with associated operations and personnel. 
    		•

    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 use of risk assessment criteria to establish risk confirms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • The ability of the candidate to appropriately schedule the assessment and communicate this to other disciplines confirms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • The methodical approach followed for the assessment confirms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • The collection of risk estimation data and the conversion of this data into information used to estimate risk confirm. 
    		•

    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 of the results of the risk assessment to others and the appropriate use of the information confirms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • The improvement to understanding of the behaviour of the mining environment using risk estimation methods confirms. 
    		•

    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 impact of the risk assessment on the safety of others confirms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology:

    1. 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-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.

    2. Unit standard justification:
  • Level:

    > Attribute; Level; Justification:

    > Skills; 4; Wide-ranging scholastic or technical.
    > Procedures; 4; Considerable choice.
    > Context; 4; Variety of familiar and unfamiliar.
    > Knowledge; 3; Some relevant theoretical.
    > Information processing; 3; Interpretation of available information.
    > Problem solving; 3; A range of known responses to familiar problems, base on limited discretion and judgement.
    > Orientation of activities; 4; Self-directed.
    > Application of responsibility; 3; Significant responsibility for the quantity and quality of output, and possible responsibility for the output of others.
    > Orientation of scope of responsibility; 4; Under broad guidance and evaluation.

    > Average level: 3.56
    > Actual level assigned = 4
  • Credits:

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

    > Activity:

    > Classroom teaching: 16 hours.
    > Total: 16 hours.

    > Credits achieved: (16/10) = 1.6
    > Credits assigned: 2 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  62796   Further Education and Training Certificate: Strata Control Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  50082   Further Education and Training Certificate: Minerals Surveying  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  MQA 


    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. ADCORP TECHNICAL TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    2. GEOSTRAT TRAINING 
    3. PALABORA COPPER (PTY) LTD 
    4. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    5. XTRACT TRAINING SERVICES (SA)(PTY)LTD 


    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.