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: 

Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of support installation quality 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252735  Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of support installation quality 
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 2  NQF Level 02  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 people who are responsible for assessing the quality of support installed to achieve excavation stability.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of installation requirements of generic support types.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of support installation criteria.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the consequences of poorly installed support.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the need of recording and reporting of support installation quality. 
    		•

    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:
  • Communication and mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of installation requirements of generic support types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A description of the installation of generic support types will confirm knowledge. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Mechanically-activated elongates.
  • Hydraulically-activated support units eg hydraulic props, longwall shields and chocks.
  • Elongates -timber and steel based.
  • Packs - timber-based, grout-based, composites.
  • Tendons - resin- or cement grouted, mechanically anchored, friction-based.
  • Areal support systems - mesh, sprayed concrete, thin sprayed liners.
  • Backfill - types and additives.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A description of the installation of support pre-stressing units will confirm knowledge. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Modes of pre-stressing - pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical.
  • Effect of pre-stressing on support unit behaviour.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Basic description of the installation of support load spreading devices will confirm knowledge. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Types of load spreading devices - headboards, straps, bearing plates.
  • Effect of load spreading on support unit behaviour.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of support installation criteria. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation of support installation criteria are provided. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Direction of installation.
  • Height-to-width ratio.
  • Stable footwall contact.
  • Construction quality.
  • Pre-stressing.
  • Stable hanging wall contact.
  • Tendon length and diameter.
  • Grout material quality.
  • Annulus - relationship between tendon diameter and hole size.
  • Manufacturers specifications.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate understanding of the consequences of poorly installed support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation of the need to install support in underground excavations is provided. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An explanation of the effect of poor support quality on support unit behaviour. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An explanation of the effect of poor support quality installation on excavation stability and worker safety confirms understanding. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate understanding of the need of recording and reporting of support installation quality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation of the need to record observations made on support installation quality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Recording and reporting of support installation quality according to the mines specific procedures is provided. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An explanation of the consequences of poor recording and reporting of sub-standard support installations is provided. 


    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:

    Knowledge relating to understanding the importance of support installation quality:
  • Purpose.
  • Tools, materials and equipment.
  • Methods.

    Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental issues:
  • Significant hazards and risks related to support installation.
  • Safe working practices.
  • Standards and procedures.

    Applicable statutory requirements:
  • Codes of practice.
  • Competency requirements and restrictions of personnel installing support.

    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.
  • Note: Not applicable to this Unit Standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: The ability and willingness of the candidate to promote good support installation quality within the mining team as a way to ensure their own safety. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to understand that good support installation quality has to be planned and managed. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to understand the correct installation methods for various support types. 
    		•

    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 with regard to the need for high quality support installation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: The use of science and technology is promoted through the understanding of the effect of installation quality on support system performance and the safety of mining personnel. 
    		•

    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 need for effectively installed support systems to maintain stable excavations and ensure the health and safety of mining personnel. 
    		•

    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.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.
  • Chief Inspector of Mines' Directives/instructions.

    Site-Specific:
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks.
  • Voluntary Codes of Practice.
  • Manufacturers Specifications.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications.
  • Working Guides.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • Risk Assessment Documents.
  • South African Bureau of Standards and other standards.

    Unit Standard Justification:

    Level:

    Attribute; Level; Justification:
  • Skills; Level 2; Moderate in range.
  • Procedures; Level 2; Established and familiar.
  • Context; Level 2; Routine and familiar.
  • Knowledge; Level 3; Some relevant theoretical.
  • Information processing; Level 1; Recall.
  • Problem Solving; Level 1; 0.
  • Orientation of activities; Level 2; Directed.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility; Level 1; No responsibility for the work or learning of others.
  • Application of responsibility; Level 3; Under general supervision quality checking.

    Average Level = 1.89.
    Actual Levels Assigned = 2.

    Credits:

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

    Activity; Hours:
  • Classroom Teaching; 20 Hours.
  • On-The-Job Training; 8 Hours.
  • Mentoring required; 0 Hours.
  • Other (Specify); 0 Hours.

    Total: 28 Hours.

    Credits Achieved: 28/10 = 2.8.
    Credits Assigned = 3. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  59549   National Certificate: Strata Control Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  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. 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.