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: 

Conduct advanced backhoe / loader operations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117006  Conduct advanced backhoe / loader operations 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Civil Engineering Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Civil Engineering Construction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  20 
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 
The qualifying learner is capable of:

Demonstrating knowledge of the functions of backhoe/loaders and their attachments; planning and preparing for backhoe/loader operations; applying concepts of road anatomy; selecting, fitting and removing attachments; manoeuvring and controlling backhoe/loaders on site; using backhoe/loader attachments; excavate and load earth, lift, lower, mix, blend materials and level ground; moving backhoe/loaders from site to site.


The contribution to The National Skills Development Strategy is the key developmental interface between learners and new competencies to be achieved.

Learners who master the applied competence described in this unit standard will contribute to the development of a professional community of Civil Engineering Construction Plant operators who are able to competently use science and technology when applying operation techniques
The contribution to socio-economic transformation is that learners will be able to undergo RPL-assessment and thereby receive recognition for previous learning and experience. This in turn will enhance the employability and career prospects of learners employed in this sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The following knowledge, skills attitude and/or equivalent:
  • Learning assumed to be in place
  • NQF level 2 Numeracy and NQF level 2 Literacy

    Prerequisite Unit Standards: Operate Backhoe/Loader NQF Level 2 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Plan work activity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Job instructions are interpreted correctly and a sequence of operations is determined according to worksite procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Plans are developed to eliminate, avoid/neutralise all identified risks in accordance with safety regulations, legislation and site specific instructions 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All tools and attachments required for the work activity are selected and checked to be functional and ready for use according to job requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Machine attachments are limited to all permanent and removable standard components
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Alternative or complementary equipment is identified in terms of the required task. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Alternative/complimentary equipment includes all equipment that could be used to perform the same or similar tasks
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Affected parties are informed and liaised with according to worksite procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The consequences of not liaising with the appropriate parties are explained in terms of disruption to work. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare work area. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Preparation of worksite includes but is not limited to levelling ground, checking soil conditions, establishing positions of existing services and checking marks depicting lateral, vertical and horizontal boundaries 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Work area is inspected and prepared according to worksite procedures 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Worksite procedures include but are not limited to manufacturer's procedures, operators manuals and site operational requirements
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reasons for inspections and preparation are defined in terms of safety and work flow 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Safety of working area is ensured according to statutory requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Statutory requirements include but are not limited to
  • OHS Act,
  • Environmental legislation,
  • Local Provincial authority requirements
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Descriptions of the procedures to be followed to ensure the safety of the work area are described in terms of the elimination of potential hazards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Personal Protective Equipment is used according to statutory requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The consequences of not correctly using Personal Protective Equipment are explained in terms of potential danger to self and others. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply concepts of road anatomy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Road construction stages identified without error. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Correct descriptions and explanations given for various parts of a road. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Correct description and explanation given for drainage provisions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Types of drains correctly identified without error. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Conduct the selection, fitting and removing of attachments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Existing attachment removed according to manufacturer's manual/regulatory authority's instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Required attachment fitted according to manufacturer's manual/regulatory authority's instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Attachment tested to ensure correct fitting and operation as specified in manufacturer's manual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Attachment used in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Removed attachments cleaned and stored in designated location. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Tools and equipment cleaned, maintained and stored. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Conduct backhoe/loader operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Backhoe/Loader is moved to required work area according to site requirements and is positioned for specific operation according to manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Consequences of incorrectly positioning machine are explained in terms of potential damage to Backhoe/Loader and safety hazards to self and others. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Activities are performed according to manufacturer's operating procedures and job requirements in order to maximise the life-span of components, within industry accepted timeframes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Ways to maximise life-span of components includes inspecting, maintaining, correcting and reacting to warning systems
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Consequences of not following correct sequences are explained in terms of potential damage to Backhoe/Loader and work schedules. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Unexpected circumstances are dealt with according to worksite procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Unexpected circumstances are when the specific machine is no longer suitable for the required task or can no longer operate efficiently and safely
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Safe working procedures are followed according to statutory requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Statutory requirements include but are not limited to
  • OHS Act,
  • Environmental legislation,
  • Local Provincial authority requirements
     

  • SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Move backhoe/loader from site to site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Backhoe/Loader is driven off-road in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and Operator's Safety Manual 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Backhoe/Loader is loaded and unloaded on transporter in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and company requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Positioning of attachments, parking machine
     


    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 CETA-ETQA
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the CETA-ETQA
  • CETA-ETQA or other ETQA's who have a Memorandum of Understanding in place with CETA-ETQA would be responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this qualification 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Backhoe/Loader operation procedures and main functions of all major components
  • Maximum operating capacities of the designed Backhoe/Loader capabilities.
  • Statutory requirements including the Relevant Code of practice and Safety, Health & Environmental legislation
  • Worksite procedures 

  • UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems

    Relates to the following specific outcome and assessment criteria:

    Plan work activity
  • Plans are developed to eliminate, avoid/neutralise all identified risks in accordance with safety regulations, legislation and site specific instructions 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others

    Relates to the following specific outcome and assessment criteria:

    Plan work activity
  • The consequences of not liaising with the appropriate parties are explained in terms of disruption to work. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Employ self management

    Relates to the following specific outcome and assessment criteria:

    Conduct backhoe/loader operations
  • Consequences of unsafe acts are explained in terms of the potential effect on the safety of self and others and penalties imposed. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Manage information

    Relates to the following specific outcome and assessment criteria:

    Apply concepts of road anatomy
  • Road construction stages identified without error. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively

    Relates to the following specific outcome and assessment criteria:

    Plan work activity
  • Job instructions are interpreted correctly and a sequence of operations is determined according to worksite procedures. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Demonstrate scientific and technological competence

    Relates to the following specific outcome and assessment criteria:

    Conduct backhoe/loader operations
  • Consequences of not following correct sequences are explained in terms of potential damage to Backhoe/Loader and work schedules. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand contextual world-systems

    Relates to the following specific outcome and assessment criteria:

    Prepare work area
  • Descriptions of the procedures to be followed to ensure the safety of the work area are described in terms of the elimination of potential hazards. 

  • 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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49081   National Certificate: Construction: Advanced Plant Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  CETA 


    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. Certified Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    2. Dreyer and Dreyer Risk Solutions 
    3. Raubex Construction Pty (Ltd) 
    4. Tjeka Training Matters Pty Ltd 
    5. Transvaal Training 



    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.