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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Inspect large excavations during the excavating phase 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
256866  Inspect large excavations during the excavating phase 
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 for people who are pursuing a career in rock engineering.

This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and understanding of the inspection of large excavations in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the hazards involved with large excavation creation.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of essential steps in excavating techniques.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of factors to be inspected.
  • Demonstrate ability to record, report and communicate findings of the inspection. 
    		•

    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. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate understanding of the hazards involved with large excavation creation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The long-term importance of large excavations to mining operations is explained in the context of mining operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The hazards involved with large excavations creation are listed and explained in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Stress concentrations (compressive and tensile zones).
  • Large spans.
  • Exposure of geological structures.
  • Height of excavations.
  • Complex shapes.
  • Poor excavation sequences.
  • Inadequate installed support.
  • Limited accessways.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of essential steps in excavating techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The essential steps in large excavation excavating techniques are listed in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Establishing the roof/hangingwall.
  • Establishing the top cut at full excavation width.
  • Excavating the excavation body.
  • Installation of primary support and selection of and installation of secondary support after each step.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The excavating technique is sketched and the essential steps explained in detail in terms of industry acceptable standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of not following the recommended excavating technique are explained in the context of mining operations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of critical issues to be inspected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of inspections during large excavation creation is explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The critical issues to be inspected are listed and the importance of each on safety/excavation stability is explained in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Excavating technique.
  • Excavation layout (shape/size).
  • Blasting quality.
  • Support installation timing and quality.
  • Support type and length/thickness.
  • Entrance and escape ways.
  • Ventilation.
  • Cleaning of blasted stuff.
  • Signs of stress fracturing and scaling.
  • Geological structure stability.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of poor inspection on the stability of the large service excavation and safety of workers are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate ability to record, report and communicate findings of the inspection. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The inspection results are recorded, reported and communicated according to mine specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The consequences of not recording and reporting inspection results on the safety of workers are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of continuous monitoring of the excavating process is explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 


    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 with 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.
  • 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 essential embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:

    Knowledge and understanding that the assessor will evaluate:
  • The hazards involved with large excavation creation.
  • Essential steps in excavating techniques.
  • Critical issues to be inspected.
  • Recording, reporting and communicating findings of the inspection.

    Causes and effects (Occupational Health and Safety):
  • Use of equipment.
  • Use of personal protective equipment.
  • Adherence to occupational health and safety requirements.
  • Work related hazards and associated risks.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies and standards:
  • Occupational health, safety and environmental legislation and regulations.
  • Quality policies, standards and agreements. 
    		•

    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 learner to identify and evaluate critical issues within a large service excavation. 

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

    Note: The ability of the learner to explain the consequences of deviations from accepted practices in creating large excavations to the team. 

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

    Note: The ability of the learner to understand that the safety of personnel is ensured by the responsible and appropriate identification, evaluation and monitoring of mining practices in large excavations. 

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

    Note: The ability of the learner to critically evaluate the mining practices in large excavation creation. 

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

    Note: The ability of the learner to communicate and explain the deviations and possible results of deviation from acceptable practices. 

    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 understanding that inspection of mining practices in large excavation creation can assist in ensuring the stability of the excavation and the safety of worker team members. 

    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 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives/Instructions.
  • 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
    Elective  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 


    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.