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

Demonstrate a basic understanding of explosives and accessories 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257036  Demonstrate a basic understanding of explosives and accessories 
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  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 is intended to promote knowledge and understanding of handling explosives on surface excavations in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers.

This unit standard will be useful to people who work with or come into contact with explosives on surface excavations.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Identify explosives and accessories.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the application of explosives on surface excavations.
  • Demonstrate understanding of explosives handling.
  • Adhere to occupational health and safety requirements. 
    		•

    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 1.
  • Occupational Health and Safety at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify explosives and accessories. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Types of explosives and accessories are identified as used in surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Generic and brand names of explosives and accessories are identified and discussed as used at surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Explosives and accessories packaging codes are identified and discussed in the context of the surface excavation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Blasting tools and equipment are identified and discussed in the context of surface excavations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate understanding of the application of explosives and accessories in surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The effect (power) of explosives and accessories are discussed in the context of surface excavations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The dangers relating to the application of explosives and accessories are discussed in the context of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The different applications of explosives and accessories are discussed in the context of surface excavations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the handling of explosives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The measures for preventing accidental detonation are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Security requirements pertaining to the handling of explosives and accessories are discussed in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Requirements for the separation of explosives and accessories are explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Requirements relating to access to explosives and accessories are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The requirements for dealing with expired and spoiled explosives are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The dangers relating to lightning and relevant actions to be taken are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Requirements pertaining to explosives safety and the dangers associated with explosives and accessories are explained in the context of surface mine/quarrying operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Stacking requirements (on the bench) are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Fire prevention measures (on the bench) are explained in terms of legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    Relevant aspects relating to the condition of explosives (on the bench) are explained in the context of legal and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Adhere to Occupational Health and Safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal protective equipment is checked and used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Material Safety Data Sheets are available and understood in accordance with legal and operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Hazards and sub-standard conditions are identified and dealt with or reported to responsible persons in accordance with requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Incidents and accidents are reported in accordance with specified 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 embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard.

    Knowledge relating to explosives and accessories:
  • Types of explosives and accessories.
  • Generic and brand name.
  • Packaging codes.
  • Blasting tools and equipment.
  • Effect (power).
  • Dangers.
  • Different applications.

    Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental issues:
  • Prevention of accidental detonation.
  • Security Requirements.
  • Separation of explosives and accessories.
  • Access to explosives.
  • Expired and spoiled explosives.
  • Lightning.
  • Explosives safety and Dangers associated with explosives.
  • Stacking requirements (on the bench).
  • Fire prevention measures (on the bench).
  • Condition of explosives (on the bench).
  • PPE requirements and the reason for each.
  • Emergency procedures.

    Applicable statutory requirements:
  • Relevant clauses from applicable acts and regulations.
  • Codes of practice.
  • Support competency requirements and restrictions.

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

    Note: The ability and willingness of the learner to interact with various other workers in the mine or quarry in order to ensure consistent adherence to mine operations and safety, particularly in respect of explosives safety. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Note: The ability of the learner to interact with modern blasting related explosives, accessories and equipment. 

    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 learner to understand the relationship between upstream, downstream and associated processes, and the impact that he may have in each regard. 

    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).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85/1993).
  • 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
    Core  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.