MINE VENTILATION OFFICER

Curriculum Document
Curriculum Code / Curriculum Title
311701-004 / Mining Technician: Mine Ventilation Officer

Development Quality Partner

NameOrganisationContact

MINE VENTILATION OFFICER

Mine Qualifications Authority

Sector Education and Training Authority

4th Floor

Union Corporation Building

74-78 Marshall Street

Johannesburg

MINE VENTILATION OFFICER

Table of Contents

1.SECTION 1: CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

1.1.Occupational Information

1.1.2.Occupation or Specialisation Addressed by this Curriculum

1.1.3.Alternative Titles used by Industry

1.2.Curriculum Information

1.2.1.Relation of this Curriculum to the Occupation and Qualification Progression

1.2.2. Notes Regarding the Progression:

1.2.2.Curriculum Structure

1.2.3.International Comparability

1.2.4.Entry Requirements

1.2.5.Assessment Quality Partner Information

2.SECTION 2: OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE

2.1.Title: Mining Technician: Mine Ventilation Officer

2.2.Occupational Purpose

2.3.Occupational Tasks

2.4.Task details

2.4.1.TASK 01: Designing and ensuring implementation of basic Mine Ventilation systems and Occupational Hygiene programmes (NQF Level: 4)

2.4.2.TASK 02: Providing input into enhancing the Mine Ventilation and Occupational Hygiene systems and functions (NQF Level: 4)

2.4.3.TASK 03: Supervising the mine ventilation function and resources for a designated area of a mine (NQF Level: 4)

1.4.24. TASK 04: Providing information for an improved refrigeration system. (NQF Level: 4)

3.SECTION 3: CURRICULUM COMPONENT SPECIFICATIONS

3.1.SECTION 3A: KNOWLEDGE SUBJECT SPECIFICATIONS

3.2.SECTION 3B: PRACTICAL SKILL MODULE SPECIFICATIONS

3.3.SECTION 3C: WORK EXPERIENCE MODULE SPECIFICATIONS

1.SECTION 1: CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

1.1.Occupational Information

1.1.1.Associated Occupations

311701 - Mining Technician

1.1.2.Occupation or Specialisation Addressed by this Curriculum

311701 - 002 - Mining Technician: Mine Ventilation Officer

1.1.3.Alternative Titles used by Industry

1. Mine Environmental Officer

2. Assistant Ventilation Officer

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MINE VENTILATION OFFICER

1.2.Curriculum Information

1.2.1.Relation of this Curriculum to the Occupation and Qualification Progression

1.2.2. Notes Regarding the Progression:

1. Learners credited with this qualification are likely to be working in the occupational safety, hygiene and environmental disciplines and will typically be appointed as Mining Engineering Ventilation Technicians upon successful completion of this qualification. Learners are required to integrate practical skills with essential knowledge, to be able to take proactive and reactive measures in order to maintain a healthy and safe environment.

2. There is a critical need in the industry to recognise learner competence regarding essential operations associated with a healthy, safe and productive working environment. This qualification is the next step in a career path in one of the areas of specialisation in Occupational Safety and Hygiene and is generic enough to allow maximum mobility within the field of application.

3. This qualification facilitates access for learners who have completed the appropriate level three qualification to acquire the technical knowledge and skills associated with safe healthy and efficient controlling of environmental conditions in the workplace.

4. Other than is the case in some industries, it is vital that the Mining Ventilation Engineering technician comes from within the mining industry, and has intimate knowledge and experience of all the aspects of Occupational Hygiene and Environmental Engineering.

5. The qualification is designed to be flexible and accessible so that learners are able to demonstrate the competencies in Mine Ventilation across the mining and minerals sector.

6. The specialisations in Coal, Hardrock and Surface Excavations do not require separate qualifications. The distinction lies in the Work Experience Component. The qualification will be endorsed as Underground Hardrock, Underground Coal, or Surface Excavations based on the completed work experience. Moving to a new mining context will require that the learner completes the relevant work experience in that context and then apply to the External assessment Quality Partner to have the qualification endorsed accordingly.

1.2.2.Curriculum Structure

Knowledge Subjects

Number / Title / NQF Level / Credits
311701-004-KS-01 / Emergency Preparedness (VENT) (II) / 4 / 6
311701-004-KS-02 / Mine Ventilation Engineering Practice (VENT) (II) / 4 / 24
311701-004-KS-03 / Mines and Minerals Legislative Requirements (VENT) (II) / 4 / 12
311701-004-KS-04 / Occupational Hygiene Practice (VENT) (II) / 4 / 4
311701-004-KS-05 / Operations Management and Supervision (VENT) (II) / 4 / 13

Total Knowledge Credits: 59

Practical Skills Modules

Number / Title / NQF Level / Credits
311701-004-PM-01 / Design basic ventilation layouts and assist with the design of complex ventilation layouts. / 4 / 14
311701-004-PM-02 / Measure and test the effectiveness of the ventilation system. / 4 / 8
311701-004-PM-03 / Make recommendations regarding Mine Ventilation and
Occupational Hygiene issues / 4 / 6
311701-004-PM-04 / Implement and review mine ventilation and occupational hygiene standards / 4 / 6
311701-004-PM-05 / Execute performance management for a team of Ventilation
Observers / 4 / 6
311701-004-PM-06 / Oversee the compilation and submission of mine ventilation reports for a designated area of the mine. / 4 / 6
311701-004-PM-07 / Measure, record and report the effectiveness of the refrigeration plant and accessories (bulk air cooler, cooling cars and heat exchangers). / 4 / 6

Total Practical Skill Credits: 52

Work Experience Modules

Number / Title / NQF Level / Credits
311701-004-WM-01 / Exposure to the processes for designing and implementing mine ventilation systems / 4 / 18
311701-004-WM-02 / Exposure to occupational hygiene sampling strategies and schedules / 4 / 21
311701-004-WM-03 / Exposure to the processes of conducting air balances of shafts / 4 / 4
311701-004-WM-04 / Exposure to mine ventilation and occupational hygiene projects / 4 / 26
311701-004-WM-05 / Exposure to the processes for reviewing mine ventilation and occupational hygiene standards / 4 / 6
311701-004-WM-06 / Exposure to the emergency preparedness and response processes / 4 / 4
311701-004-WM-07 / Exposure to the internal and external Mine Ventilation and
Occupational Hygiene audit processes / 4 / 6
311701-004-WM-08 / Exposure to the processes of evaluating the effectiveness and accuracy of environmental monitoring systems / 4 / 2
311701-004-WM-09 / Exposure to the conducting of surveys on secondary cooling installations / 4 / 4

Total Work Experience Credits: 91

TOTAL QUALIFICATION CREDITS: 202

Knowledge Percentage: 29%

Practical Skills Percentage: 26%

Workplace Percentage: 45%

1.2.3.International Comparability

Mining activities occur in many countries all over the world, although the South Africanmining industry is more diverse than that of most other countries.

The international comparability exercise was conducted by comparing the outcomes of the proposed South African Qualifications to those in Qualifications, skills programmes and training courses of a number of countries with established mining industries. The reason for comparing against those countries is:Australia: International best practice.New Zealand: International best practice.United Kingdom: International best practice.India: Strong emerging economy.Zambia: African country (SADC).Botswana: African country (SADC).Namibia: African country (SADC).

The above has determined that the countries chosen to benchmark this Qualification against were selected based on proven best practice within similar mining conditions.

The United Kingdom, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia are considered best practice because many aspects of their mining operations relate and compare to similar aspects of mining operations within the South African industry. However, mining practices and standards are influenced world-wide by the presence of large multinational companies such as Anglo American, Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and others.

Training programmes in occupational hygiene and ventilation do not exist in the SADCregion. No SADC countries have specific occupational hygiene and ventilation training programmes in place.It was found that the majority of occupational hygiene and ventilation training was conducted by South African companies in the SADC region.Therefore it was difficult to find any comparisons

This Qualification could not be compared with equivalent qualifications from a range of other countries because they do not have the specialisations in ventilation / environmental control as we do in South Africa. Rather the courses and programmes are in occupational health and safety. The ventilation areas are contained in mining operations programmes.

1.2.4.Entry Requirements

1. Successful completion of the National Foundational Learning Competence (Level 2)

2. Successful completion of the National Occupational qualification for Ventilation Observers

(NQF 3) or and equivalent qualification recognised by the MQA.

1.2.5.Assessment Quality Partner Information

Name / Organisation / Contact
Mine Qualifications Authority / Sector Education and Training authority / 4th FloorUnion Corporation Building74-78 Marshall StreetJohannesburg

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MINE VENTILATION OFFICER

2.SECTION 2: OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE

2.1.Title: Mining Technician: Mine Ventilation Officer

OFO Code: 311701-004

2.2.Occupational Purpose

Coordinates, observes and monitors the implementation of mine specific codes of practice and makes recommendations regarding corrective action and/or improvement of ventilation practices to ensure legal compliance for a designated area of a mine.

2.3.Occupational Tasks

  • TASK 01: Designing and ensuring implementation of basic Mine Ventilation systems and
  • Occupational Hygiene programmes (NQF Level: 4)
  • TASK 02: Providing input into enhancing the Mine Ventilation and Occupational Hygiene systems and functions(NQF Level: 4)
  • TASK 03: Supervising the mine ventilation function and resources for a designated area of a mine (NQF Level: 4)
  • TASK 04: Providing information for an improved refrigeration system. (NQF Level: 4)

2.4.Task details

2.4.1.TASK 01: Designing and ensuring implementation of basic Mine Ventilation systems and Occupational Hygiene programmes (NQF Level: 4)

Unique Product or Service

  • Effective ventilation of a mine; with implemented occupational hygiene programmes

Occupational Responsibilities

  • Design basic ventilation layouts and assist with the design of complex ventilation layouts.
  • Measure and test the effectiveness of the ventilation system.

Context

  • Exposure to the processes for designing and implementing mine ventilation systems
  • Exposure to occupational hygiene sampling strategies and schedules
  • Exposure to the processes of conducting air balances of shafts

2.4.2.TASK 02: Providing input into enhancing the Mine Ventilation and Occupational Hygiene systems and functions (NQF Level: 4)

Unique Product or Service

  • Enhanced Mine Ventilation and Occupational Hygiene systems and functions

Occupational Responsibilities

  • Make recommendations regarding Mine Ventilation and Occupational Hygiene issues
  • Implement and review mine ventilation and occupational hygiene standards

Context

  • Exposure to mine ventilation and occupational hygiene projects
  • Exposure to the processes for reviewing mine ventilation and occupational hygiene standards

2.4.3.TASK 03: Supervising the mine ventilation function and resources for a designated area of a mine(NQF Level: 4)

Unique Product or Service

  • An effectively operating and compliant Mine Ventilation and Occupational Hygienedepartment

Occupational Responsibilities

  • Execute performance management for a team of Ventilation Observers
  • Oversee the compilation and submission of mine ventilation reports for a designated area of the mine.

Context

  • Exposure to the emergency preparedness and response processes
  • Exposure to the internal and external Mine Ventilation and Occupational Hygiene audit processes
  • Exposure to the processes of evaluating the effectiveness and accuracy of environmental monitoring systems

1.4.24. TASK 04: Providing information for an improved refrigeration system. (NQF Level: 4)

Unique Product or Service

  • Effective operating refrigeration system

Occupational Responsibilities

  • Measure, record and report the effectiveness of the refrigeration plant and accessories (bulkair cooler, cooling cars and heat exchangers).

Context

  • Exposure to the conducting of surveys on secondary cooling installations
  1. SECTION 3: CURRICULUM COMPONENT SPECIFICATIONS

3.1.SECTION 3A: KNOWLEDGE SUBJECT SPECIFICATIONS

List of Knowledge Subjects for which Specifications are included

Number / Title / NQF Level / Credits
311701-004-KS-01 / Emergency Preparedness (VENT) (II) / 4 / 6
311701-004-KS-02 / Mine Ventilation Engineering Practice (VENT) (II) / 4 / 24
311701-004-KS-03 / Mines and Minerals Legislative Requirements (VENT) (II) / 4 / 12
311701-004-KS-04 / Occupational Hygiene Practice (VENT) (II) / 4 / 4
311701-004-KS-05 / Operations Management and Supervision (VENT) (II) / 4 / 13

Total Knowledge Credits: 59

311701-004-KS-01: Emergency Preparedness (VENT) (II)

Related Knowledge Subject Code and Title

091304: This subject falls within the Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene field of study an area of study which prepares public health specialists to monitor and evaluate health and related safety standards in industrial commercial and governmental workplaces and facilities. Includes instruction in occupational health and safety standards an

Purpose of the Knowledge Subject

The focus of this subject is on building understanding of the key concepts, theories andprinciples related to emergency preparedness and response in mines. The learning will enable the learner to set up processes and solve process problems related to environmental monitoring.

Topics included in this subject:

TOPIC NUMBER / TOPIC TITLE / WEIGHT / CREDITS
311701-004-KS-01:01 / Principles of emergency preparedness and response on mines (Intermediate) / 50 / 3
311701-004-KS-01:02 / Operation of environmental monitoring systems (Intermediate) / 50 / 3

TOTAL TOPIC CREDITS: 6

311701-004-KS-01:01 -Principles of emergency preparedness and response on mines (Intermediate)

(Credits: 3)

Topic Elements to be covered include:

1. Describe the requirements of the mandatory code of practice regarding emergencyresponse and preparedness. (NQF Level: 4)

2. Describe the operation of the Tripartite Technical Committee for Self Contained Self Rescuers (SCSR) RANGE: a. Homologation process; b. Mandatory testing; c. Structure and functions of the committee. (NQF Level: 4)

3. Explain the application of industry leading practices regarding; RANGE: a. Long SCSRs; b. Caches; c. Life Lines; d. Refuge chamber designs; e. Places of safety f. Design of escape routes. (NQF Level: 1)

4. Describe the requirements and application of fire plans. (NQF Level: 4)

5. Describe the principles of designing and implementing fire prevention measures on a mine: RANGE: a. Hydrants; b. Sub stations; c. Conveyors d. Vehicles; e. Mobile equipment; f. Blast walls; g. Workshops (Diesel Bays, Tyre Bays) h. Trackless workshops i. Flammable material stores; j. Timber sets; k Electrical cable protection and installations; l. In stope fire protection; m. Spontaneous combustion; n. Pipe insulation material. (NQF Level: 4)

6. Explain the Mandatory legislatory requirements regarding Mine Ventilation and rescueplans and the maintenance thereof. (NQF Level: 4)

Internal Assessment Criteria:

1. Given emergency preparedness and response plans for various types of mines learnerswill be able to, without reference to learning material, correctly indicate where these plans deviate from the mandatory codes of practice. (Weight: 20%)

2. Without reference to learning material learners will be able to correctly describe the operating and maintenance principles for all the emergency and rescue equipment used for the full range of mine emergencies. (Weight: 80%)

311701-004-KS-01:02 -Operation of environmental monitoring systems (Intermediate)

(Credits: 3)

Topic Elements to be covered include:

1. Describe the design principles for environmental monitoring systems: RANGE: a. Firedetection; b. Early warning systems; c. Control room requirements; d. Maintenance of the system; e. Back up stock; f. Ventilation monitoring (NQF Level: 4)

2. Explain the principles and need for effective blasting scheduling: RANGE: a. Reentry requirements; b. Multi blast conditions; c. Sign off of blasting schedules and frequency of review; d. Shift clearance; e. Fire patrol system when the system is down. (NQF Level: 4)

3. Interpret the data from a Telemetry system: a. Describe the reasons for the alarms; b. Differentiate between the different sensor heads; c. Describe the actions required to deal with alarms. (NQF Level: 4)

4. Describe the purpose and application of an operational fire manual. (NQF Level: 4)

Internal Assessment Criteria:

1. Given examples of various environmental monitoring systems learners will, withoutreference to learning materials be able to correctly describe how these systems were designed. (Weight: 40%)

2. Without reference to learning materials learners will be able to correctly; interpret the data from a telemetry system, and analyse the effectiveness of various blasting schedules for various mining conditions. (Weight: 60%)

Provider Accreditation Requirements for the Subject:

Physical Requirements:

- Providers must have proven access to all the tools, equipment, models and lecture facilities

to enable them to execute professional learning events covering all aspects set out in the topic elements.

- Providers must have a proven administrative and quality management system that is acceptable to the assessment quality partner

Human Resources Requirements:

- Facilitators of learning must be in possession of a valid and accepted NQF level fivequalification in Ventilation and/or Occupational Hygiene and have at least five years proven experience as a Ventilation practitioner on a Mine.

- The Facilitator: Learner ratio may not exceed 1:20

Legal Requirements:

- Providers must comply with all OHS and Learning and development legal requirements.

311701-004-KS-02: Mine Ventilation Engineering Practice (VENT) (II)

Related Knowledge Subject Code and Title

CESM code 091304: This subject falls within the Environmental/Environmental Health engineering field of study.This is an area of study that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for controlling contained living environments and for monitoring and controllingfactors in the external natural environment, including pollution control, waste and hazardous material disposal, health and safety protection, conservation, life support, and requirements for protection of special materials and related work

Purpose of the Knowledge Subject

The focus of the learning in this subject is on building understanding of the theories andprinciples of Mine Ventilation Practice that is required to execute the duties of a Ventilation Officer on mines. The learning also includes the calculations and fundamental mathematical principles required for this level of work.

Topics included in this subject:

TOPIC NUMBER / TOPIC TITLE / WEIGHT / CREDITS
311701-004-KS-02:01 / Principles and properties of fluid flow dynamics ( mine ventilation, airflow, fans and water.(Intermediate) / 25 / 8
311701-004-KS-02:02 / Principles of mine planning with specific reference to the use of ventilation in mine planning. (Basic) / 25 / 4
311701-004-KS-02:03 / Concepts and fundamental principles of thermal dynamics and psychrometry. (Intermediate) / 25 / 8
311701-004-KS-02:04 / Basic operating cost of ventilation appliances and the impact of ventilation designs on production costs (Intermediate) / 25 / 4

TOTAL TOPIC CREDITS: 24

311701-004-KS-02:01 -Principles and properties of fluid flow dynamics ( mine ventilation, airflow, fans and water.(Intermediate) (Credits: 8)

Topic Elements to be covered include:

1. State the SI units and define the relevant factors influencing fluid flow dynamics: RANGE:

Mass, length, area, volume, energy, work, force, heat, power,time, density, specific volume, pressure (velocity, total and static) K_Factors, velocity and volumetric flow rate. (NQF Level:4)

2. Perform airflow calculations: RANGE: a. Airways in series; b. Airways in parallel; c.Network of airways; d. Air Changes. (NQF Level: 4)

3. Perform air flow calculations applying the following formulae: RANGE: a. Atkinsons formula; b. Air Power; c. Charles Law; d. Boyles Law; e. Universal Gas Constant; f. Pressure; g. Regulator; h. Mixing air streams. (NQF Level: 4)