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 fault tree analysis in accident investigations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
256871  Conduct a fault tree analysis in accident investigations 
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 conducting a fault tree analysis in accident investigations in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fault tree analysis method.
  • Demonstrate the ability to conduct a fault tree analysis.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use the information obtained from this analysis.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the consequences of an incorrect analysis. 
    		•

    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 an understanding of the fault tree analysis method. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A brief explanation of the fault tree analyses method is provided using sketches. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Terms used in this analysis method are explained in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Fault tree.
  • Top event.
  • Probability of failure.
  • Frequency of failure.
  • Gates.
  • Root cause.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Methods available to allocate 'probability of failure' values to the analysis are briefly explained in the context of mining operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The most common 'gates' used in a fault tree analysis are briefly explained in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • 'and' gates.
  • 'or' gates.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate the ability to conduct a fault tree analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The process through which an accident is analyzed using the fault tree analysis method is explained in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • The accident is selected as the 'top event' of the tree.
  • Identify the failures that would lead to the top event.
  • Identify the failures that would lead to each of the first level failures.
  • Continue until the root causes have been determined.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An accident is analyzed using the fault tree analysis method in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Selection of the Top Event.
  • Completion of the fault tree.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate the ability to use the information obtained from this analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need to determine the 'probability of failure' is explained in terms of the accident recurring. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The 'probability of failure' is calculated using the fault tree analysis. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Allocate probability of occurrence values the root causes.
  • Calculate the probability of the accident recurring.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Remedial action is determined for significant causes in the context of mining operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Identify the causes that contribute significantly to the probability of the accident recurring.
  • Implement remedial action to address the causes to reduce probability that they would fail.
  • Recalculate the probability of failure using remedial action implemented to reduce the probability of failure of root causes.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate understanding of the consequences of an incorrect analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation of the consequences of an incomplete fault tree analysis is provided in the context of mining operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An explanation of the consequences of applying incorrect probability values is provided in the context of mining operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An explanation of the consequences of incorrect probability calculation is provided in the context of mining operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of implementing remedial action to incorrect causes are explained in the context of mining operations. 


    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 fault tree analyses method.
  • Basic terms used in the fault tree method.
  • Methods available to allocate 'probability of failure' values to the analysis.
  • The most common 'gates' used in a fault tree analysis.
  • The process through which an accident is analyzed.
  • Determining the 'probability of failure'.
  • The consequences of an incorrect analysis.

    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 causes to failures and allocate probability of failure values. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: The ability and willingness of the learner to apply this accident analysis method in a team environment to improve workplace safety. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The ability to think systematically and to convey this thinking to a fault tree analyses diagram. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to use the information obtained from this analyses to determine areas of concern. 
    		•

    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 other personnel to assist their understanding of the analyses and accident investigation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: The concept of probability and its application confirms use of science and technology in assisting with being responsible towards the environment and health and safety of self and others. 
    		•

    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 of the effect of a logical method of analysing accidents on the safety of workers. 
    		•

    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, 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. 
    		•

    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.