SKILLS PROGRAMMES

01.SKILLS PROGRAMME

BLASTING ASSISTANT IN SURFACE MINES AND QUARRIES SP/CLA-G017

The competencies required by the blasting assistant are:

  • Safe receipt, storage, issuing and transportation of explosives (control);
  • The preparation of primers;
  • The charging of blast holes with explosives or the placing of explosive charges;
  • The connecting up of blasting rounds or circuits, and
  • To assist with the safeguarding of persons against the significant hazards associated with
    the use of explosives.

People with this skills programme will be able to comply with part of the explosives regulations under the mine health and safety act in terms of the competencies specified for blasting assistants but excluding the duties covered by the skills programme for the management of explosives magazines on mines and quarries

Persons who have achieved this skills programme can progress toward the national
certificate in rock breaking l3 (surface excavations) as well as other similar qualifications in the surface mining/quarrying sector. This skills programme would also be useful for responsible persons handling explosives within the chemical and construction sectors. People credited with this skills programme are able to assist in blasting operations.

02.SKILLS PROGRAMME

COMPETENT PERSON A – THE EXAMINATION; MAKING SAFE AND DECLARING SAFE OF SURFACE MINES; SP/CLA-G015

 The design of this Skills Programme however extends beyond FOG requirements. A more holistic approach towards ensuring a safe and healthy working environment has been adopted, whereby the contribution of the individual extends beyond mere compliance. People with this skills programme comply with the Fall-of-Ground regulations promulgated by the Minister of Minerals and Energy. The regulations require a competent person to examine and make safe a workplace (Competent Person A) and determine that such competence will vest in a candidate who has achieved the requirements of the relevant skills programme registered with the Mining Qualifications Authority.

There are two variations possible for this Skills Programme:

  • Blasted surface mines, quarries, dumps and stockpiles 
  • Unblasted surface mines, quarries, dumps and stockpiles

“INCREASING YOUR EMPLOYEE'S PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY"

03.SKILLS PROGRAMME

THE CONTROL OF EXPLOSIVES MAGAZINES ON SURFACE MINES AND QUARRIES: SP/CLA-G018

This unit standard is useful for people who perform duties associated with managing explosives and accessories magazines i.e. Magazine Master. People credited with this unit standard are able to

  • demonstrate understanding of explosives handling, transport and storage and relevant legislation;
  • identify explosives and accessories; transport, store and issue explosives and accessories;
  • apply security measures for magazines; and
  • adhere to occupational safety and health requirements.

 

COMPETENT PERSON B: THE INSTALLATION; MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL OF SUPPORT UNITS IN SURFACE MINES AND QUARRIES SP/CLA-G016

This programme is aimed at people who work or intend to work within a coal-mining context and seek recognition for essential skills in coal mining operations. Recipients of this qualification have the knowledge and skills to conduct the essential operations associated with safe mining in any one of the following specialisation areas in underground coalmines:

  • Underground coal – Blasting operations
  • Underground coal – Continuous miner operations or
  • Underground coal – Long Wall mining operations

The qualification is designed to be flexible and accessible so that people are able to demonstrate the competencies required to work safely in an underground coalmine in general and effectively and safely in one of the Blasting, Continuous Mining or Long Wall specialisation areas.

04.SKILLS PROGRAMME

OPERATING MOBILE EQUIPMENT FOR SURFACE EXCAVATION OPERATIONS MQA/SP/0119/09

 People credited with this Skills Programme are able to operate mobile machinery in surface mining and quarrying operations.

The outcomes of the course are as follows;

  • Explain the requirements of the relevant aspects of the Mine Health and Safety Act
  • Explain the general safety rules in the workplace
  •  Explain the use and application of Personal Protective Equipment in the workplace
  • Explain good housekeeping in the workplace
  • Explain and apply emergency procedures in the workplace
  • Demonstrate an awareness of strata conditions
  • Demonstrate an awareness of applicable I.S.O. standards
  • Demonstrate knowledge of fire and repellents;
  • Demonstrate the use of the various types of fire extinguishers
  • Demonstrate the use of fixed hose reels and ancillary extinguishing equipment

“SAFETY FIRST IS SAFETY ALWAYS" 

05.SKILLS PROGRAMME

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACTIVITIES FOR: PART TIME/WORKPLACE REPRESENTATIVES AND SHOP STEWARDS IN THE MINING AND MINERALS – (SHE REP) MQA/SP/0120/10

People credited with this skills programme are able to represent employees on all aspects of occupational health and safety, thereby exercising their rights and powers in terms of Mine Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996) Section 30. Identify and report on potential hazards and risks associated to occupational health or safety.

The outcomes of the course are as follows;

  • Explaining both employer and employee duties with regard to occupational safety and health in the workplace.
  • Explaining the general safety rules in a workplace.
  • Explaining the use and application of Personal Protective Equipment in a workplace.
  • Explaining the need for good housekeeping in the workplace.
  • Explaining and applying emergency procedures in the workplace.
  • Describing the framework of workplace health and safety legislation pertaining to health and safety representatives.
  • Explaining the specified requirements to conduct safety, health and environmental representation activities at a working place.
  • Addressing safety, health and environment related issues within their scope of authority.
  • Complying with the activities within safety, health and environmental structures.
  • Explain the specified requirements pertaining to continuous hazard identification and risk assessment.
  • Prepare for hazard identification.
  • Identify hazards and assess risks.
  • Initiate remedial and follow-up action

06.SKILLS PROGRAMME

THE HANDLING OF EXPLOSIVES IN MINES MQA/SP/0124/10

This unit standard will be useful to people who have to receive, store and issue explosives and accessories at a workplace. 

People credited with this unit standard are able to: 

  • Explain the specified requirements pertaining to the receiving, storage and issuing of explosives and accessories at a workplace.
  • Prepare to receive, store and issue explosives and accessories at a workplace
  • Receive, handle, store and issue explosives and accessories at a workplace.
  • Perform post-receiving, storage and issuing activities.

The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard contribute to social and economic transformation and the upliftment and 

economic growth of the mining and minerals sector by receiving, storing and issuing explosives and accessories at a workplace as part of the mining process.

This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and understanding of persons responsible for receiving, storing and issuing explosives and accessories at a workplace in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable, competent and informed workers.