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

Treat misfires and sockets in an underground coal mine 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
110130  Treat misfires and sockets in an underground coal mine 
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  6 
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 treating misfires and sockets in an underground coal mine.

People credited with this Unit Standard are able to:
  • Prepare to treat a misfire and socket.
  • Treat a misfire and socket in a coalface.
  • Treat a misfire and socket in a stone face. 
    		•

    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:
  • Sound and bar roof and side walls using sounding and barring down equipment in an underground coal mine.
  • Knowledge of section specific ventilation requirements.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and ability to work in an underground coal mine.
  • Test, monitor and control the common gases in an underground coal mine.
  • Charge up a work face for blasting in an underground coal mine.
  • Knowledge of strata control principles in and underground coal mine.
  • Conduct blasting operations in an underground coal mine. 
    		•

    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 
    Prepare to treat a misfire and socket. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Hazard identification and hazard control are conducted to comply with risk assessment requirements to eliminate, minimise or control risk of ill health and injuries to others and self. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Identification and confirmation of misfires and sockets are explained in terms of legal definitions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The preparation to treat a misfire and socket are explained in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Preparation for both coal and stone faces must include the following:
  • Marking of misfire
  • Ascertaining the direction of the misfire
  • Washing and plugging the socket
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Consequences of inadequate preparation are described in terms of potential effect on safety, health and production. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The supplied personal protective equipment and hygiene consumables usage is explained and used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Treat a misfire and socket in a coalface. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The position and direction of the relieving hole for the misfire in the coalface is marked and drilled in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The relieving hole for the misfire in the coalface is charged up and blasted in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The explosives liberated from the misfired hole in the coalface are recovered in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The socket in the coalface is plugged in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Treat a misfire and socket in a stone face. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The misfired hole in a stone face is flushed to liberate the explosives. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Flushing must include the use of one of the following:
  • Water alone through a hose pipe
  • Water and compressed air through an approved blowpipe
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The explosives liberated from the misfired hole in the stone face are recovered in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The socket in the stone face is plugged 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. Without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge, candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes to the standards described in the assessment criteria. 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.
    Note:
    The ability of the candidate to identify substandard and hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community.
    Note:
    The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept and interpret work instructions correctly. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage himself / herself and his / her activities responsibly and effectively.
    Note:
    The ability of the candidate to indicate what methods, tools and personal protective equipment are required, and to communicate to fellow workers his / her intentions and the assistance required. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    Note:
    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.
    Note:
    The appropriate communication with the relevant personnel with regard to the reporting of hazards and substandard conditions will indicate his / her proficiency in effective communication. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, thus showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
    Note:
    The use of science and technology is not relevant for this unit standard. 

    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 identify and refer anomalous behaviour to a specialist confirms his / her understanding of the fact that a specific observation, inference, action or decision may 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. 
    		•

    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 include legal and site-specified 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  21812   National Certificate: Mining Operations: Underground Coal  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.
     
    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.