WORKSHOP ON IMPLEMENTATION OF BLASTING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS FOR SCHEDULED MINES PRINCIPAL INSPECTORS MEETING 18 MAY 2017

Transcription

1 WORKSHOP ON IMPLEMENTATION OF BLASTING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS FOR SCHEDULED MINES PRINCIPAL INSPECTORS MEETING 18 MAY

2 1. INTRODUCTION 2. CHIEF INSPECTORS INSTRUCTION 3 PURPOSE 4. TYPES OF BLASTING CERTIFICATES 5. ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS 6. SYLLABI 7. APPLICATION FORM 8. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE 9. EXAMINATIONS 10. RULES FOR EXAMINATIONS 11. COMMISSION OF EXAMINERS 12. EXAMINATION BOARD 13. APPEAL PROCEDURE PRESENTATION OUTLINE 2

3 INTRODUCTION Blasting Certificate is regulated under chapter 28 of the Minerals Act (MA) regulations in force in terms of item 4 of Schedule 4 of the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act 29 of 1996), as amended (MHSA). Blasting Certificate Examinations was administered by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) until 30 June Administration of Blasting Certificate Examinations was handed over by the DMR to the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) on 1 July 2009 MQA changed the word Blasting Certificate to the word Rock Breaker Qualifications 3

4 INTRODUCTION CONTINUE In November 2013, MQA Board took a decision to handover the Administration of Blasting Certificate Examinations to the DMR. The MQA Board decision was taken as a result of challenges experienced by the mining industry with the Rock Breaker Qualification administered by MQA. The Directives for various types of Blasting Certificates and associated Learner/Examiners Guides were, revised and amended by the DMR. Extensive consultation workshops were held within the DMR and also with the Mining Industry regarding the revised Directives and Guides. The revised Directives and Learner/Examiners Guides were approved by the Chief Inspector of Mines (CIOM) on 23 February

5 CHIEF INSPECTORS INSTRUCTION In February 2017 a Chief Inspector s instruction was issued informing the industry of the Department s decision to revert back to the administration of Blasting Certificate Examinations. The Chief Inspectors Instruction indicated that: The administration of Blasting Certificate Examinations by the DMR will commence on 1 June The provisions of MA regulations 28 and 29 in force in terms of Schedule 4 of MHSA will be enforced by the DMR when administering Blasting Certificate Examinations. MQA will continue issuing Rock Breaker Qualification until expiry of Rock Breaker Qualification (i.e. 30 June 2018) 5

6 CHIEF INSPECTORS INSTRUCTION cont The following Certificates or Qualifications will be recognized by the DMR: Blasting Certificate issued by the DMR until 30 June Rock Breaker or Equivalent Qualification issued by MQA from 1 July 2009 to 31 May Blasting Certificate that will be issued by the DMR with effect from 1 June From 1 June 2017, any Learner entering or completing the Rock Breaker Qualification will be required to apply to the DMR and obtain a Blasting Certificate in order to be recognised by DMR. All Rock Breaker Qualifications issued from 1 June 2017 will not be recognized by DMR. 6

7 PURPOSE To provide guidance to the persons involved when conducting Blasting Certificate Examinations. To provide information to the persons involved regarding the relevant Directive and Learner/Examiner s Guide to be used as guiding documents for conducting Blasting Certificate Examinations. To provide information to the persons involved regarding the rules applicable for conducting Blasting Certificate Examinations. To ensure that the Blasting Certificate Examinations are conducted in a manner that is lawful, fair, transparent, consistent, and reasonable. 7

8 TYPES OF BLASTING CERTIFICATES There are three (3) types of Blasting Certificates Examinations that will be administered by the DMR from 1 June 2017, namely: Blasting Certificates for Fiery Mines (i.e. Underground Coal Mines) Blasting Certificates for Schedule Mines (i.e. Other Underground Mines excluding Underground Coal Mines) Blasting Certificates for Opencast Mines The above mentioned different types of Blasting Certificates Examinations are required to be administered using the relevant Directive and Learners/Examiners Guide that has been prepared. 8

9 ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS The following are the requirements to be accepted as a candidate to be examined for Blasting Certificate for Scheduled Mines: QUALIFYING SHIFTS PROVISIONAL BLASTING CERTIFICATE (MA Regulation ) It is required that 75 of the below mentioned qualifying shifts be spent at the working face on rock breaking or winning minerals. University Students = 154 shifts Learner Officials = 154 shifts Learner Miners = 154 shifts Other Learners = 200 shifts 9

10 ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS QUALIFYING SHIFTS PERMANENT BLASTING CERTIFICATE (MA Regulation ) It is required that 75 of the below mentioned qualifying shifts be spent at the working face on rock breaking or winning minerals. University Students = 200 shifts Learner Officials = 312 shifts Learner Miners = 312 shifts Other Learners = 400 shifts 10

11 ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS FIRST AID CERTIFICATE (MA Regulation 24.7) AGE RESTRICTION 20 Years (Exemption can be granted by CIOM) ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS - Standard 8 or Grade 10 or N1 Certificate (6 subjects credited) or ABET Level 3 or Equivalent. MEDICAL FITNESS Issued by Occupational Medical Practitioner (OMP) LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY Communication both orally and writing 11

12 SYLLABI Ventilation, Dust Prevention and Gases Mining Practices Explosives 12

13 APPLICATION FORM Use application form DMR 302 to apply for provisional Blasting Certificate and attach certified copy of the following documents: Record of Service First Aid Certificate Identity Document (ID) Academic Qualification Medical Fitness Certificate Attached copies must not be older than three months and certified by the South African Police Service (SAPS). Application to be endorsed by the Mine Manager [Section 3(1)(a) of MHSA] Discretion of DMR to accept application not endorsed by the Mine Manager (i.e. PIOM to consider an Affidavit made by the applicant/candidate & Reasons provided by the Manager for refusal to endorse the application). 13

14 APPLICATION FORM Use application form DMR 314 and attach certified copy of the following documents: Record of Service First Aid Certificate Identity Document (ID) Academic Qualification Medical Fitness Certificate Attached copies must not be older than three months and certified by the South African Police Service (SAPS). Application fee to be paid (MA Regulation 28.10) R50 Permanent R50 - Provisional R10 - Exchange from Provisional to Permanent Blasting Certificate 14

15 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE Use DMR 303 to complete the Certificate of Compliance: Name of Candidate Proof of Payment Age Minimum Education Qualification First Aid Certificate Medical Fitness Certificate Qualifying shifts Letter of Good Conduct Signature of the Senior Inspector of Mines Signature of the Principal Inspector of Mines A candidate or applicant must not be examined until the Certificate of Compliance has been signed by the PIOM 15

16 EXAMINATIONS Examinations to be conducted in accordance with the Learners/Examiners Guide for the assessment and certification of Blasting Certificate Holders for Scheduled Mines. Examination consist of two (2) types of questions: Compulsory Questions DMR % pass mark Choice Questions DMR % pass mark Examiner to assess the candidate on a minimum of 5 compulsory and 5 choice questions. The number of compulsory and choice questions asked must be the same. Questions and Model Answers can be found under section 5 of the Guide. 16

17 EXAMINATIONS The examiner is required to record all the questions asked on DMR 304 if the questions are compulsory questions. The examiner is required to record all the questions asked on DMR 305 if the questions asked are choice questions. The examiner is required to complete the Assessor Remarks section on DMR 304 only if the candidate give unsatisfactory answer of a compulsory question. The examiner is required to complete the Assessor Remarks section on DMR 305 only if the candidate give unsatisfactory answer of a choice question. 17

18 RULES FOR EXAMINATIONS All exams are required to be recorded in writing. The examinations are required to be conducted orally (i.e. Any of the 11 official languages can be used ) No reference material to be allowed. Examiners are required to ask questions clearly. Examiners are allowed to ask follow up questions Examiners are required to complete both score sheets (DMR 304 and DMR 305) for each candidate. At the end of the examination, the examiner and the candidate are required to sign both score sheets (DMR 304 and DMR 305) 18

19 RULES FOR EXAMINATIONS The candidate will be allowed 3 attempts to pass the subjects/modules. The candidate will be examined on all 3 subjects/modules on the 1 st attempt and will be credited subject(s)/module(s) passed. The candidate will be examined only on the failed subject(s)/module(s) during the 2 nd attempt and will be credited subject(s)/module(s) passed. The candidate will be examined only on the failed subject(s)/module(s) during the 3 rd attempt. 19

20 RULES FOR EXAMINATIONS Should the candidate fail any subject/module during the 3 rd attempt, such candidate will be considered to have failed the examination. The candidate that failed any subject/module during the 3 rd attempt will forfeit all the credited subject(s)/module(s) obtained during the 1 st and the 2 nd attempt. The candidate that failed any subject/module during the 3 rd attempt is required to re-apply for examination after a period of 1 year has lapsed. 20

21 COMMISSION OF EXAMINERS The Commission of Examiners for Blasting Certificate consist of: An Officer from DMR who is a holder of the Mine Manager s Certificate of Competency (MMCC) Chairperson and Examiner for Ventilation, Dust Prevention and Gases; A holder of the MMCC Examiner for Mining Practices (nominated by the employers) Practicing Section 4(1), Section 3(1)(a) or MA regulation appointee; and A holder of a Permanent Blasting Certificate for Scheduled Mines Examiner for Explosives (nominated by organized labour) Practising Miner and having 3 years experience. All the members of the Commission of Examiners are required to be appointed by the CIOM. 21

22 EXAMINATION BOARDS Examination boards will take place at least once a month. The number of candidates that is required to be examined per blasting certificate examination board must not be more than 10 candidates. Candidates who failed the examination on a particular examination board will not be re-examined in the next examination board due to the following reasons: To give that particular candidate reasonable time period to prepare or study for the next examination. To give an opportunity to other candidates who did not have an opportunity to be examined. 22

23 APPEAL PROCEDURE A candidate may appeal against a decision of the examination authority to the Chief Inspector of Mines. Each appeal is required to be lodged in writing within 30 days from the date of the examination. Each appeal is required to state the reasons or ground of appeal. Each appeal case is required to be heard within a period of 60 days from the date of examination by the PIOM of the region where the examination took place. The appeal process is required to be fair, transparent, credible and must have reasonable time frames. 23

24 BLASTING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS INFORMATION The Directives, Forms, and Learners/Examiners Guide for various types of Blasting Certificate Examinations are obtainable from the Department of Mineral Resources website namely: Mine Health and Safety GCC Examinations Blasting Tickets of Competency For general enquiries on Blasting Certificate Examinations, please contact Mr. Funwell Nkuna on the following contact details: Phone: Cell:

25 THANK YOU!!!!! 25