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 knowledge and understanding of the starting up and closing off procedures for an underground workplace 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336902  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the starting up and closing off procedures for an underground workplace 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Fabrication and Extraction 
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 4  NQF Level 04  5 
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 
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the causes for and types of stopped ends.
  • Describe the relevant legislation that impacts on start up and close off procedures for an underground workplace.
  • Explain the specified requirements pertaining to the closing off of an underground workplace in a mines.
  • Explain specific requirements pertaining to the starting up of an underground mine workplace.
  • Demonstrate methodology for opening up stopped workplaces. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the causes for and types of stopped ends. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The types and reasons for stopped ends are explained in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Stopped ends include but not limited to:
  • Tunnels, stopes, remnants and pillars:
    > Stoppage due to accidents such as; Mining constraints, holidays/extended breaks, labour unrest, fire or ventilation failure, seismicity, payability and geology.
  • Temporary stoppages of less than 1 production month.
  • Temporary stoppages longer than I production month.
  • Sealed/walled off areas (long term stoppages).
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the specified requirements pertaining to the closing off of an underground mine workplace. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Significant risks and consequences associated with workplace hazards pertaining to the closing off or sealing of a workplace are explained in terms of specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Planning requirements to facilitate safe closing off of a workplace are explained in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Actions taken in closing off or sealing the workplace and the effects to occupational health, safety and production are explained in terms of specified company requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The team required to ascertain and enact closure is explained in terms of legal and site-specific requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain specific requirements pertaining to the starting up of a workplace. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The planning phase to evaluate start up procedures are explained in terms of specified company requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Planning phase include but not limited to:
  • Evaluation of ore body or tunnel.
  • Old areas versus stopped raises, ledging or temporary stopped tunnels.
  • Geological plans.
  • Survey estimation/ore reserve.
  • Rock engineering considerations.
  • Ventilation considerations.
  • Planned extraction rates.
  • Profitability.
  • Risk.
  • Inspection phase.
  • Team members.
  • Special tools/equipment.
  • Procedure.
  • Re-planning phase.
  • Rehabilitation phase.
  • Mining phase.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Significant risks associated with workplace hazards pertaining to the starting up of a workplace are explained in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Risk of workplace hazards include but not limited to:
  • Unsafe support conditions.
  • Unsafe ground conditions.
  • Inadequate or obstructions in escape ways.
  • Old explosives and explosive accessories.
  • Accumulations of gases.
  • Accumulation of water.
  • Open excavations.
  • Slippery/steep areas.
  • Inadequate ventilation.
  • Excessive temperatures.
  • Prevent inadvertent entry.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The composition of team members used in the inspection phase is explained in terms of site-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Team members include but not limited to:
  • Current health/fitness of inspection team ascertained.
  • Section Manager and Mine Overseer.
  • Shift Overseer.
  • Environmental/safety official.
  • Additional officials as required may include Rock Engineering or Geology.
  • Standby Proto members (if seal opening finds gas).
  • Standby medical assistance.
  • Support construction crew to remove walls/barricades.
  • Members preferably trained in self rescuers.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Special tools used in opening up inspection are detailed in accordance with site-specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Special Tools include but not limited to:
  • Multi gas detectors.
  • Draeger with CO, CO2 and H2S sample tubes.
  • Whirling hygrometer.
  • Wind velocity detectors.
  • Portable phones.
  • Pea Whistles.
  • Life-lines.
  • 1:1000 and 1:200 plans.
  • Ice-jackets.
  • Portable self rescuers (SCSR).
  • Pinch bars.
  • Drinking water.
  • Bolt cutter.
  • Ventilation foam seal.
  • Personal protective equipment.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The methodology for opening up a stopped or sealed off workplace is explained in terms of specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Must include:
  • Examine plan and previous reports of working place (safety, ventilation, Rock eng and Geology).
  • Assemble appropriate inspection, rehabilitation or mining team.
  • If area sealed off, open seal for 100mm hole and test for gas and vent flow.
  • If gas found or area previously a fire area, utilize only Proto members for reconnaissance/rehabilitation.
  • Examine travelling routes, entrances and escape ways for hazards.
  • Hazards include falls of ground, poor hanging/sidewalls, uncovered openings, obstructions, vent flow, integrity of support and geological data not on plan.
  • Consider men, material and rock handling routes.
  • Consider service columns, electricity supply and tramming infrastructure.
  • Consider added supervision and not utilizing Night Shift.
  • Consider use of "short drill steel".
  • Adhere to special support standards.
  • Record all hazards found and actions taken.
     
    		•


    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 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.
  • 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 will be assessed in an integrated manner in the unit standard:
  • The types and reasons for stopped ends.
  • Legislation that prescribes safe work practices.
  • Significant risks and consequences associated with workplace hazards pertaining to the closing off or sealing of a workplace.
  • Planning requirements to facilitate safe closing off of a workplace.
  • Actions taken in closing off or sealing the workplace.
  • The team required to ascertain and enact closure.
  • The planning phase to evaluate start up procedures.
  • The composition of team members used in the inspection phase.
  • Special tools used in opening up inspection.
  • The methodology for opening up a stopped or sealed off workplace. 
    		•

    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 and plan for opening up and closing of working places, assess and take appropriate action. 
    		•

    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 accept and interpret work standards correctly manage deviations from accepted work practice. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
  • Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note:
  • The ability of the candidate to manage the team dynamics in a specialized work environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note:
  • The ability of the candidate to reconcile the information from various sources including technical reports and initiate plans and actions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
  • Communicate effectively, using visual, 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 planning of effective and safe work 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:
  • Use of science and technology in respect of rock stress, ventilation calculations and geology information is 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 safely and effectively integrate the appropriate labour processes and procedures and being able to understand the consequences of not adhering to these in terms of the safety of all persons working underground. 
    		•

    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:

    Site Specified:
  • Company policies and procedures regarding relevant:
    > Mine policies and procedures.
    > Codes of Practice.

    Current Legislation:
  • Mines Health and Safety Act 1996, Chapter 2, Section 22 and 23.
  • Mines Health and Safety Act 1996, Regulations under Chapter 4 and 14.
  • Applicable content contained within the Mines and Minerals Act and Regulations-Act 50 of 1991. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  74490   Further Education and Training Certificate: Mining Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.