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 QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Explosives Operations 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
48725  National Certificate: Explosives Operations 
ORIGINATOR
Chemical Industries SGB 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was CHIETA until Last Date for Achievement  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 SAQA 0553/04  2004-04-07  2007-04-07 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-04-07   2011-04-07  

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 qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
58515  National Certificate: Chemical Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  135  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
A person acquiring this qualification will be able to operate and monitor machinery and complete post production operations, using and caring for tools and equipment whilst adhering to specific safety requirements, risk, quality and environmental requirements and specifications under supervision. The qualification enables the person to participate in routine explosive manufacturing processes and to start specializing in a specific explosive manufacturing area such as, propellants, explosives accessories, initiating systems or small arms ammunition.

This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within explosive material manufacturing fraternity by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the chemical and related manufacturing field.
The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation and contribute to the progression and economic growth within the manufacturing fraternity.

This qualification will allow a person to advance to learning in explosive material manufacturing NQF 3.

Rationale

This qualification reflects the workplace-based needs as expressed by employers and employees for both now and for the future for occupational related qualifications in the explosive industry.

Per organization a diverse product range can be produced ranging from 10 to 40 different products and with up to 180 different components per product. The explosive manufacturing industry cannot be considered as a typical manufacturing industry where machinery and equipment are used to perform the transformation of raw materials into final products with no or little specialised hand skills, except the ammonium nitrate based explosives. Neither is the typical artisan related actions utilised during the primary conversion process and somewhere in-between these extremes the operator in the explosives industry finds himself / herself.

Currently the range of typical learners is a semi-skilled worker with little or some formal education.

A qualifying learner will be able to operate as a valuable team member within explosive operations processes. This will provide valuable training, embedded knowledge and fundamental experience towards a career within a variety of manufacturing related processes, especially explosive materials operations that will be beneficial to an individual and also to economy/ industry.

This qualification provides the learner with accessibility to be employed within the manufacturing industry and especially within the explosives material-manufacturing domain and will be providing portability and articulation possibilities within the chemical manufacturing contexts. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • A knowledge, comprehension and application of language, mathematics, natural science and technology on NQF 1. A GETC qualification with an exposure to chemical or explosive operations would be beneficial.

    Recognition of prior learning

    This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the recognition of prior learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. A learner wishing to be assessed towards this qualification may arrange to do so without attending any further training or education. The assessor and the learner will jointly decide on the most appropriate method to be taken. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    N/A 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The exit level outcomes for this qualification reflect a combination of specific outcomes and critical cross-field education and training outcomes. The way in which the critical outcomes have been advanced through the learning required for this qualification is embedded in the unit standards, ie how it is reflected and assessed in the context of the specific outcomes.

    1. Interpret and use knowledge in performing tasks related to explosive raw material mixing, sampling and wide-ranging manufacturing processes.

    2. Use science and technology required during propellant manufacturing operation, assembling of components and post-production operations.

    3. Use science and technology required during initiating devices manufacturing operation, assembling of machinery and post-production operations.
    Range: initiating devices may include electronic, electric or non -electric initiation devices.

    4. Use science and technology required during explosive accessories manufacturing operation, assembling of machinery and post-production operations.
    Range: Explosive accessories may refer to detonating cord, safety fuse, igniter cords, shock tube (nonel), delay elements and boosters.

    5. Use science and technology required during small arms ammunition manufacturing operation, assembling of components, setting of machinery and post-production operations. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.1 Identify and solve problems using known solutions to familiar problems.
    1.2 Maintain safety, health, environmental and good manufacturing practices in a manufacturing environment, as a team member that is essential for economic development of the society at large.
    1.3 Hazardous, non-hazardous material and explosive materials are handled and treated according to legislative requirements

    2.1 Maintain equipment operating procedures and post production procedures according to safety, quality and operating procedures.
    2.2 Assemble components use designated tools
    2.3 Work effectively with others in a team
    2.4 Operate propellant manufacturing operations according to standard operating procedures
    2.5 Collect and organise manufacturing quality control charts and records

    3.1 Maintain equipment operating procedures and post production procedures according to safety, quality and operating procedures.
    3.2 Assemble components use designated tools
    3.3 Work effectively with others in a team
    3.4 Operate manufacturing operations according to standard operating procedures
    3.5 Collect and organise manufacturing quality control charts and records

    4.1 Maintain equipment operating procedures and post production procedures according to safety, quality and operating procedures.
    4.2 Assemble components use designated tools
    4.3 Work effectively with others in a team
    4.4 Collect and organise manufacturing quality control charts and records
    4.5 Operate electronic manufacturing operations according to standard operating procedures
    4.6 Collect and organise manufacturing quality control charts and records

    5.1 Maintain equipment operating procedures and post production procedures according to safety, quality and operating procedures.
    5.2 Assemble components use designated and tools
    5.3 Work effectively with others in a team
    5.4 Operate small arms ammunition manufacturing operations according to standard operating procedures
    5.5 Collect and organise manufacturing quality control charts and records

    The assessment criteria of the qualification are embodied in the unit standards. The knowledge, skills and understanding will be assessed across several specialised contexts and are clearly defined within the relevant specific outcomes, assessment criteria and range statements within these unit standards.

    Integrated Assessment

    The applied competence (practical, foundational and reflexive competencies) of this qualification will be achieved if a candidate is able to achieve all the exit level outcomes of this qualification.

    Identifying and solving problems, team work, organising one-self, using of applied science, the implication of actions and reactions in the world as a set of related systems must be assessed during any combination of practical, foundational and reflexive competencies assessment methods and tools to determine the whole person development and integration of applied knowledge and skills.

    Applicable assessment tool(s) to establish the foundational, reflective and embedded knowledge to problem solving and application of the world as a set of related systems within the manufacturing and maintenance field.
    A detailed portfolio of evidence is required to prove practical, applied and foundational competencies of the learner.

    Assessors and moderators should develop and conduct their own integrated assessment by making use of a range of formative and summative assessment methods. Assessors should assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.
    Unit standards in the qualification must be used to assess specific and critical cross-field outcomes. During integrated assessments the assessor should make use of formative and summative assessment methods and should assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Benchmarking was done against international standards and qualifications from the NVQ from Britain, New Zealand Qualification Authority, the American Qualification Curriculum and Assessment Authority Frameworks and the US Manufacturing Skills Standards

    No direct comparable qualification could be found. A qualification in New Zealand National Certificate in Extraction Industries Level 2-4 (Land operations using explosives), has 5 comparable unit standards on handling of explosives. The newly designed South African unit standards refer fairly well existing New Zeeland unit standards. But given South Africa's competitive edge and leader in this field world wide, it explains why no other related qualifications were found. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Articulation possibilities

    This qualification will allow a person to advance to learning of explosives operations qualification at NQF level 3 or a similar qualification at this level. The qualification provides the learner with flexibility to pursue careers in the explosive material manufacturing industry and articulation within chemical related manufacturing environments. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor 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 ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQAs policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation; in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between ETQAs (including professional bodies); and in terms of the moderation guideline detailed immediately below.
  • Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards, exit level outcomes as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.

    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. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor, the applicant needs:

    Interpersonal skills, subject matter expertise and assessment experience.

    The assessor needs to be competent in the planning and conducting assessment of learning outcomes as described in the unit standard Plan and conduct assessment of learning outcomes NQF level 5. The subject matter experience must be well developed within the field of explosive operations and quality assurance practices.

    The assessor must have completed:
  • A similar qualification or from the same family of qualifications, at or above NQF 4, or
  • National Certificate in Explosives Operations NQF 4.

    The subject matter experience of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning.
    Assessors need to be registered with the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance Body. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by qualification 58515, which is "National Certificate: Chemical Operations", Level 2, 130 credits. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  12199  Demonstrate an understanding of quality principles used in the chemical industry  Level 1  NQF Level 01  8 
    Core  114643  Apply occupational health, safety and environmental protection in an explosive manufacturing environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
    Core  9877  Assemble components  Level 2  NQF Level 02  12 
    Core  114644  Demonstrate an understanding of the behaviour, performance and use of explosives  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
    Core  114649  Destroy hazardous waste or redundant explosives  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Core  12317  Read and adjust instruments on production or packing equipment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  7 
    Fundamental  8963  Access and use information from texts  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  9009  Apply basic knowledge of statistics and probability to influence the use of data and procedures in order to investigate life related problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  14782  Apply process chemistry and related technology in the chemical industry  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Fundamental  7480  Demonstrate understanding of rational and irrational numbers and number systems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  9008  Identify, describe, compare, classify, explore shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional shapes in different contexts  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  8962  Maintain and adapt oral communication  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  8967  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  7469  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal and community life  Level 2  NQF Level 02  2 
    Fundamental  9007  Work with a range of patterns and functions and solve problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  8964  Write for a defined context  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Elective  14784  Apply sampling theory and practice in the chemical industry  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Elective  114639  Control waste or effluent water in a manufacturing environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Elective  114647  Decontaminate equipment and work areas in an explosive environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Elective  7572  Demonstrate knowledge of and produce computer spreadsheets using basic functions  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Elective  12465  Develop a learning plan and a portfolio for assessment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Elective  114650  Mix explosive and non-explosive materials  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Elective  7547  Operate a personal computer system  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Elective  114652  Operate an X-ray machine in an explosive environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Elective  114637  Operate explosives accessories manufacturing equipment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Elective  114642  Operate hydraulic and pneumatic presses in an explosive manufacturing environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Elective  114645  Operate initiating device manufacturing equipment in an explosive manufacturing environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Elective  114653  Operate propellant manufacturing equipment in an explosive manufacturing environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Elective  114651  Operate small arms ammunition manufacturing equipment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Elective  12483  Perform basic first aid  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Elective  114640  Prepare and treat metal surfaces of empty containers or components in the manufacturing environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Elective  114641  Transport and store explosives and explosive containing materials  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Elective  7548  Use personal computer operating system  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Elective  9890  Anticipate and troubleshoot machine functioning  Level 4  NQF Level 04  16 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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.