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: 

Assist blasting operations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257030  Assist blasting operations 
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  4 
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 assisting blasting operations. All activities are carried out in accordance with instructions from the holder of the Rockbreaking certificate. People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of explosives and accessories.
  • Prepare to charge shot holes.
  • Charge shot holes.
  • Complete the duties pertaining to support in blasting operations.

    This unit standard is intended to promote general skills and understanding of supporting blasting operations in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable; competent and informed workers. 
    		•

    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:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:
  • Types of explosives.
  • Types of accessories.
  • Measuring hole depths.
  • Priming.
  • Charging.
  • Stemming.
  • Tying in.

    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 
    Demonstrate knowledge of explosives and accessories. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The legal and specified requirements pertaining to a safe, healthy work environment in the support in blasting operations are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The consequences of not adhering to legal and specified requirements pertaining to a safe, healthy work environment in the support in blasting operations are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Identification of different types of explosives is explained in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Explanation of different types of explosives must include:
  • Bulk Emulsions.
  • ANFO.
  • Ammonium Nitrate.
  • Packaged explosives.
  • Detonating cords.
  • Pentolite Boosters.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Identification of different types of accessories is explained in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different types of accessories must include (where applicable):
  • Shock tube systems.
  • Electric and electronic detonators.
  • Safety fuse.
  • Shot firing apparatus.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare to charge shot holes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal protective and safety equipment is verified, examined and used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Tools and equipment are verified, examined and used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Job instructions are interpreted correctly and the sequence of operations is determined according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The work area is examined and hazards and defects are reported or rectified in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hazards and defects must include:
  • Overhangs.
  • Large rocks.
  • Bench edges.
  • Power lines.
  • Moving machinery.
  • Water accumulations.
  • Poor underfoot conditions.
  • Weather conditions.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Preparation work is performed under the direct supervision of the holder of a Rock Breaking certificate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Barricades are erected in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Explosives and accessories delivered to site are checked and stored in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Charge shot holes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Persons and equipment are evacuated from the area in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Explosives are placed in shot holes under the direct supervision of the holder of a Rock Breaking certificate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Guards are placed in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Placing of guards must include:
  • Public roads.
  • Access ways.
  • Railway lines.
  • Rivers.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Audible alarm is activated in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Post-blast inspection is conducted in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Post-blast inspection must include:
  • Misfires.
  • Dangerous ground.
  • Large rocks.
  • Fire conditions.
  • Fumes, dust and smoke.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Complete the duties pertaining to assistance in blasting operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The fire fighting operation is stopped in accordance with specified requirements. Specified lock-out procedures are adhered to. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Assistance in blasting operations is conducted in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Personal protective and safety equipment is dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Tools and equipment are dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Good housekeeping practices are maintained in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Guards are withdrawn in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Reporting is conducted directly to the holder of a Rock Breaking certificate. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a leaner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with relevant ETQA, according to 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 embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:

    Risks associated with workplace hazards:
  • Overhang.
  • Large rocks.
  • Bench edges.
  • Environmental conditions e.g. dust, excessive water, visibility.
  • Power lines.
  • Moving machinery.

    Risks associated with work related hazards:
  • Misfires in rocks.
  • Overhang.
  • Large rocks.
  • Bench edges.
  • Moving machinery.
  • Weather conditions.

    Basic principles of the support in blasting operations under the direct supervision of the holder of a Rock Breaking certificate:
  • Removal of explosives by means of a blowpipe.
  • Charging of misfired hole.
  • Charging of relieving hole.

    Processes and events under the direct supervision of the holder of a Rock Breaking certificate:
  • Preparation e.g. pre-use inspection and workplace examination.
  • Erect barricades.
  • Drill relieving holes.
  • Check and store delivered explosives.
  • Place explosives in shot holes.
  • Connect and test for continuity.

    Occupational safety, health and environment:
  • Hazards and risks encountered.
  • Safety systems and health protection.
  • Personal protective equipment.
  • Environmental protection and pollution controls.
  • Emergency procedures.

    Applicable statutory requirements:
  • Applicable Acts and Regulations.
  • Codes of Practice.
  • Operator competency requirements.

    Communication requirements:
  • Reporting.
  • Liaison with associated operators.
  • Interpreting and implementing instructions. 
    		•

    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 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 
    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 
    Notes to Assessors:

    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.

    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.
  • Material Safety Data Sheets.

    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  62869   National Certificate: Rockbreaking: Surface Excavations  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.