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: 

Apply the risk assessment process to rock-related hazards 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
254581  Apply the risk assessment process to rock-related hazards 
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 3  NQF Level 03  3 
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 mining and rock engineering personnel who are responsible for the evaluation and monitoring of rock mass conditions in working places.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the conditions that result in potential fall of ground hazards.
  • Identify the hazards and determine risks associated with falls of ground.
  • Implement appropriate controls.
  • Communicate recognised hazards and associated risks.
  • Monitor the risk.

    This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and an understanding of applying risk assessment processes to rock related hazards in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the conditions that potentially result in fall of ground hazards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Explanations of naturally occurring conditions that can create rock related hazards are provided in terms of fall of ground. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Conditions must include the following:
  • Presence of geological structures.
  • Intersection of geological structures.
  • Presence of water.
  • Host rock type characteristics.
  • Changes in rock type.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Explanations of mining related conditions that can create rock related hazards are provided in terms of fall of ground. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Conditions must include the following:
  • Blasting damage to surrounding rock and installed support units.
  • Deterioration in support unit effectiveness.
  • Poor support installation quality.
  • Absence of support.
  • Removal of support.
  • Seismic activity.
  • Rockburst related damage to surrounding rock and installed support units.
  • Stress-induced fracturing.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify the hazards and determine risks associated with falls of ground. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The required personal protective equipment is selected, examined and used in a way that is consistent with its purpose, design and specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All tools, material and equipment required for hazard identification are selected, examined and ensured to be ready for use in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Rock related hazards are identified in the fall of ground context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hazards must include the following:
  • Geological structure related.
  • Support related.
  • Blasting/mining related.
  • Excavation wall related (hangingwall, roof, sidewall, footwall).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The risk level associated with the hazard is estimated through the use of the risk assessment process. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Implement appropriate controls. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Controls to address the risk are formulated and explained in terms of fall of ground context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Controls must include the following:
  • Barring/removal of rock/scaling.
  • Support installation.
  • Barricading off.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All tools, material and equipment required for remedial action are selected, examined and ensured to be ready for use in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The required remedial action is implemented in terms of fall of ground requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Defective tools and equipment are dealt with in accordance with mine-specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Good housekeeping is practiced in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The consequences of not implementing controls are explained in terms of impact on people, mine infrastructure and productivity. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Communicate recognised hazards and associated risks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Observations are verbally communicated to workers/supervisors in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A written report stating the observations and decisions taken is compiled in accordance with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of not communicating the hazards and associated risks are explained in terms of impact on people, mine infrastructure and productivity. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Monitor the risk. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of monitoring the risk is explained in terms of impact on people, mine infrastructure and productivity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The method of monitoring is presented and explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of not monitoring the hazards and associated risks are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Risks are monitored using organizational procedures, models and processes. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the qualification 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 qualification 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 associated unit standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification 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:
  • Occupational Health and safety.
  • Legal and site-specific requirements. 
    		•

    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.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to identify hazards and assess the associated risks. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to request assistance with, or take part in, a hazard identification and risk assessment process as a team member. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to plan and execute the assessment of hazards in accordance with the required risk assessment procedure. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to reconcile the identified hazards with probabilities and consequences indicates this proficiency. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

    Note: The appropriate communication with the relevant personnel with regard to reporting hazards and risks will indicate his/her proficiency in effective communication. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Note: The use of the risk assessment concept and process indicates effective use of science and technology. 

    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.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to assess hazards and evaluate the associated risk. The effect of non-compliance and deviation from risk assessment procedures will indicate his/her proficiency in understanding that a specific action or decision taken has more than one effect. 

    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:

    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 and Regulations, 1996 (Act no 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act no 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives.
  • Guidelines issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines.

    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. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  60369   National Certificate: Strata Control Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  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. SASOL GLOBAL LEARNING 
    5. SIBANYE GOLD ACADEMY PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    6. THUNGELA OPERATIONS (PTY) LTD 
    7. 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.