SayPro Buy Plant Operations 65789

This Qualification is intended to assist all relevant stakeholders and role-players, including:

• Civil and Building Construction companies.
• Plant Hire.
• Forestry.
• Material Handling.
• Mining.
• Plant manufacturers.

  For those who have been in the workplace for a long time, this Qualification can be used in the recognition of prior learning process to assess and recognise workplace skills acquired without the benefit of formal education and training.

  For the new entrant, this Qualification describes the learning outcomes required to participate effectively in a structured workplace. For education and training providers, this Qualification provides guidance for the development of appropriate learning programmes and assessment documentation.

  For employers, this Qualification enables skills gaps to be identified and addressed ensuring that productivity levels are increased and business objectives achieved.

  This Qualification has been developed to assist with the advancement of the learner across the Civil Engineering and Construction Industry and is aimed at Construction Plant Operations practitioners in the Industry, ensuring the upliftment of standards in general.

  The combination of learning outcomes will provide the qualifying learner with vocational knowledge and skills appropriate to the context of Construction Plant Operations in the Civil Engineering and Construction environment. It will also equip learners with a foundation for further intellectual development, opportunities for gainful employment and reward for contributions to society.

  This Qualification will provide the Industry with qualified Construction Plant Operations practitioners, thereby facilitating social and economic transformation, empowerment and upliftment in the Industry and country in general.

  Qualifying learners will be capable of:

• Applying health and safety principles in plant operations.
• Understanding plant operations in the construction environment.
• Performing plant operation related functions.
• Adhering to plant operation personnel procedures.
• Understanding mechanical and leverage principles to operate earthmoving, transport and/or ancillary plant.

  Rationale:

  The Civil Construction Industry is primarily engaged in the civil engineering work on infrastructure related projects covering such diverse fields as roads, bridgeworks, railways, harbours, sewerage and drainage, electrical infrastructure, pipelines and recreation works. There is a rising demand for qualified plant and machinery operators. Increasingly, contractors are demanding evidence of competence to nationally recognised standards. Rising customer expectations at all levels are driving up standards in plant and machinery operations and fuelling the demand for proven competence through qualifications.

  This Qualification has been developed to serve this established function for the Construction Plant occupational area within the Civil Engineering and Construction Industry. The rationale for the introduction of a NQF Level 2 unit standards-based Qualification in Construction Operations is to provide a Qualification for persons who perform construction plant activities on Civil Engineering and Construction sites, whether in micro, small, medium or large operations.

  In the past many practitioners in the Civil Engineering and Construction area were denied career advancement and possible professional registration. The introduction of a unit standards based National Certificate in Construction: Plant Operations will allow learners, both unemployed and employed, to reach their full potential of advancement and will allow for Recognition of Prior Learning and further learning.

  This Qualification will facilitate the development of a professional community of Construction Plant Operators. The competencies contained in this Qualification are essential for social and economic transformation, empowerment and upliftment within the construction plant operations environment, whilst simultaneously improving the skills base of the country.

  The combination of learning outcomes will provide qualifying learners with applied competence in the integration of general construction sitework and technical competencies in areas of specialisation in construction plant operations. 

Recognition of Prior Learning:

The Qualification may be obtained in part or in whole through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning. Learners who successfully meet the requirements of any Unit Standard in this Qualification may apply to the relevant body for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment. RPL candidates will be assessed against the assessment criteria and specific outcomes contained in the relevant Unit Standard/s.

Access to the Qualification:

• There are no access requirements for the achievement of this Qualification, however the learning assumptions described below must be considered. 

The elective component of learning comprises specializations that are clustered into three types of plant viz. earthmoving, transport and ancillary plant. The learner must select at least one elective unit standard from two of these clusters for a minimum of 13 credits.

• Fundamental: 36 credits.
• Core: 71 credits.
• Elective: Minimum 13 credits.
• Min. Credit Total: 120 credits.

  The following elective unit standards comprise the earthmoving area of specialisation:

• ID 262730: Operate a dragline, Level 2, 20 credits.
• ID 262735: Operate a grader, Level 2, 15 credits.
• ID 262710: Operate a scraper, Level 2, 12 credits.
• ID 262712: Operate a skid steer loader, Level 2, 8 credits.
• ID 262727: Operate backhoe/loader, Level 2, 15 credits.
• ID 262729: Operate a tracked dozer, Level 2, 15 credits.
• ID 262732: Operate continuous bucket trencher, Level 2, 15 credits.
• ID 262744: Operate an excavator, Level 2, 15 credits.
• ID 262746: Operate face shovel, Level 2, 15 credits.
• ID 262747: Operate front end loader, Level 2, 12 credits.
• ID 262713: Operate wheeled dozer, Level 2, 12 credits.
• ID 262728: Grade to final levels using a motor grader, Level 3, 16 credits.

  The following elective unit standards comprise the transport area of specialisation:

• ID 262731: Operate a rigid body dump truck, Level 2, 10 credits.
• ID 262734: Operate a tip truck, Level 2, 8 credits.
• ID 262804: Operate a tractor, Level 2, 8 credits.
• ID 262745: Operate articulated dump truck, Level 2, 10 credits.
• ID 262790: Operate service truck, Level 2, 8 credits.
• ID 262764: Operate water cart, Level 2, 8 credits.

  The following elective unit standards comprise the auxiliary area of specialisation:

• ID 262785: Operate bitumen spray equipment, Level 2, 5 credits.
• ID 262824: Operate a sideboom, Level 2, 8 credits.
• ID 262787: Operate a hot mix asphalt paving machine, Level 2, 8 credits.
• ID 262788: Operate a milling machine, Level 2, 8 credits.
• ID 262789: Operate a paving screed, Level 2, 6 credits.
• ID 262805: Operate a roller, Level 2, 5 credits. 

2. Understand the nature and extent of earthworks in civil engineering construction.

3. Perform plant operation related functions.

4. Understand mechanical and leverage principles to operate earthmoving, transport and/or ancillary plant.
> Range of earthmoving plant includes, but is not limited to:
> Dragline, grader, scraper, skid steer loader, backhoe/loader, tracked dozer, continuous bucket trencher, excavator, face shovel, front end loader and wheeled dozer.
> Range transport plant includes, but is not limited to:
> Rigid body dump truck, tip truck, tractor, articulated dump truck, service truck and water cart.
> Range of ancillary plant includes, but is not limited to:
> Bitumen spray equipment, sideboom, hot mix asphalt paving machine, milling machine, paving screed and roller. 

1.1 The principles and provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the National Environment Management Act and the Environment Conservation Act are explained in the context of plant operations.
1.2 Contribution to the compilation of a Health and Safety Plan for the site of plant operations is carried out in accordance with legislative requirements.
1.3 Primary emergency life support is demonstrated according to a given plant operations scenario, assistance is summoned and a report compiled according to worksite procedures.
1.4 The use of fire fighting equipment is demonstrated to contain or extinguish a fire according to worksite procedures.
1.5 Policies and procedures for dealing with HIV/Aids are identified and explained in relation to the workplace.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level-Outcome 2:

2.1 Earthworks materials and processes used in civil engineering construction are explained in relation to plant operations.
> Range of processes include, but are not limited to: Excavation, dumping, spreading and compaction.
2.2 Civil construction activities are described in relation to their purpose, processes and sequences.
2.3 Civil construction plant and equipment are identified and explained in terms of their uses and standard industry practice.
2.4 Ways of dealing with hazards and handling hazardous materials are explained in accordance with relevant legislation and regulations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level-Outcome 3:

3.1 The scope, nature and composition of the construction industry is explained in terms of the roleplayers and their functions.
3.2 Specifications and drawings are interpreted and relevant information is extracted in terms of planning and establishing a work site.
3.3 Infrastructure and physical resource requirements are determined in terms of the specifications and drawings for the project.
3.4 Personal time management plan is implemented, monitored and reviewed as per project requirements and organizational procedures.
3.5 Environmental management initiatives are implemented during all phases of construction related to own areas of responsibility according to organizational procedures.
3.6 Plant operation productivity and quality are measured, monitored and improved in consultation with management according to organizational procedures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level-Outcome 4:

4.1 Functions of plant components, systems, instruments and controls are demonstrated according to manufacturer’s specifications and instructions.
4.2 Operational fitness of all plant components are inspected and recorded according to manufacturer’s operating manual and organizational procedures.
4.3 Work activities are planned and work area is prepared according to site operational requirements.
4.4 Plant is operated using principles of leverage in accordance with safe working procedures, manufacturer’s specifications and earthmoving/transport activity.
4.5 Plant is loaded and secured for transportation or driven to and from work site according to safety requirements, manufacturer’s instructions and transport configuration.

Integrated Assessment:

Integrated assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, principles and practice across unit standards to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent in relation to the purpose of the qualification. Integrated assessment should show how already demonstrated competence in individual areas can be linked and applied for the achievement of a holistic outcomes as described in the exit level outcomes.

Integrated assessment must judge the quality of the observable performance, and also the quality of the thinking that lies behind it. Assessment tools must encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will demand practical evidence while others may be more theoretical, depending on the type of outcomes to be assessed. The ratio between action and knowledge is not fixed, but varies according to the demands of the particular exit level outcome of the qualification.

While the generic components of this qualification at NQF Level 2 can be assessed through occupational contexts and activities relating to Plant Operations, care must be taken in both the learning programme and the assessment to ensure that these foundational skills are portable. The primary aim of this qualification is to ensure that learners have a sound general foundation to prepare them for further learning towards a specialised role in their chosen career path. Learners must be able to transfer generic skills across a number of different contexts, and apply them within a number of learning areas.

A broad range of task-orientated and theoretical assessment tools may be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge maintained so that each takes its rightful place. 

For the purpose of this comparison this form of “sales related training” was considered limited to the plant and was therefore not considered. Qualifications that offered a holistic approach for entry level plant operators from the following countries were evaluated as the approach and purpose compared closely:

• Australia.
• United Kingdom.
• New Zealand.

  No equivalent qualifications were found to be offered by African countries as illustrated by the following searches:

• Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) of Malawi.
• Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) of Zambia.
• Botswana Training Authority (BOTA) of Botswana.

  Australia:

  Certificate II in Civil Construction (Plant Operations) BCC30603 is of 24 month duration. All fifteen (15) of the following core competency units and four (4) elective competency units must be achieved for this qualification:

• BCCCM1001B: Follow OH and S policies and procedures.
• BCCCM1002B: Conduct workplace communication.
• BCCCM1003B: Plan and organise work.
• BCCCM1004B: Carry out measurements and calculations.
• BCCCM1005B: Handle construction materials and safely dispose of non-toxic materials.
• BCCCM2001B: Use civil construction hand and power tools.
• BCCCM2002B: Use small plant and equipment.
• BCCCM2003B: Read and interpret plans and specifications.
• BCCCM2004B: Drain and dewater site.
• BCCCM2005B: Carry out manual excavation.
• BCCCM2007B: Spread and compact materials manually.
• BCCCM2008B: Carry out basic leveling.
• BCCCM2013B: Control traffic with a stop-slow bat.
• BCCCM2014B: Identify, locate and protect underground services.
• BCCCM2006B: Support plant operations.

  Group A; Elective; Unit; Title:

• BCCPO3001B: Conduct backhoe/loader operations.
• BCCPO3002B: Conduct dozer operations.
• BCCPO3003B: Conduct excavator operations.
• BCCPO3004B: Conduct wheeled front end loader operations.
• BCCPO3005B: Conduct tracked front end loader operations.
• BCCPO3006B: Conduct grader operations.
• BCCPO3007B: Conduct scraper operations.
• BCCPO3008B: Conduct skid steer loader operations.
• BCCPO3009B: Conduct pipe layer operations.

  Group B; Elective; Unit; Title:

• BCCPO3010B: Conduct integrated tool carrier operations.
• BCCPO3011B: Conduct tractor operations.
• BCCPO3012B: Conduct tip truck operations.
• BCCPO3013B: Conduct roller operations.
• BCCPO3014B: Conduct water cart operations.
• BCCPO3015B: Conduct continuous bucket trencher operations.
• BCCPO3016B: Conduct dump truck operations.
• BCCPO3017B: Conduct self propelled compactor operations.
• BCCPO3018B: Conduct paver operations.
• BCCPO3019B: Conduct stabiliser operations.

  A comparison of the duration of formal study for these compared qualifications varies with the Australian certificate taking 2 years to achieve. This is because the licensing requirements are included for the achievement of the qualification, while this requirement is not part of the South African equivalent.

  The above elective units (Groups A and B) compare closely with the electives of the South African qualification. While the units for “pipe layer”, “tool carrier” and “stabilizer” are included here these plant do not feature in the South African qualification. The remaining plant compare directly in terms of the level, outcomes, credit value and assessment.

  A comparison of the core unit standards suggest that the following South African unit standards cover similar learning areas to that of the Australian unit standards indicated above:

• Demonstrate an understanding of Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Legislations.
• Describe the construction industry composition its work procurement systems and communication techniques.
• Establish and prepare a work area.
• Demonstrate an understanding of earthworks.
• Apply regulatory requirements in plant operations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of civil construction works.

  United Kingdom:

  The National Vocational Qualification in Plant Operations, Level 2 (100/5587/3) provides for plant operations that cover a vast range of plant resources and activities which include:

• Lifting plant or machines.
• Transferring plant or machines.
• Extracting plant or machines.
• Excavating plant or machines.
• Construction and formation plant or machines.
• Receiving or transporting plant or machines.
• Accessing plant or machines.
• Laying or distributing plant or machines.
• Compacting plant or machines.
• Processing plant or machines.

  The following three mandatory units form the core component of this qualification:

• R/102/3275: Conform to general workplace safety.
• Y/102/3276: Conform to efficient work practices.
• M/103/3747: Prepare plant or machinery for operational performance.

  The following units represent the elective component of the qualification:

• T/103/3748: Operate plant or machinery to lift and transfer loads.
• A/103/3749: Operate plant or machinery to extract.
• M/103/3750: Operate plant or machinery to excavate.
• T/103/3751: Operate plant or machinery to construct and form.
• A/103/3752: Operate plant or machinery to receive and transport loads.
• F/103/3753: Operate plant or machinery for accessing.
• J/103/3754: Operate plant or machinery to lay and distribute.
• L/103/3755: Operate plant or machinery to compact.
• R/103/3756: Operate plant or machinery to process.
• R/103/3711: Direct and guide the movement of plant or machinery.
• K/103/3715: Arrange and secure loads.
• Y/103/3757: Operate road rail plant.
• D/103/3758: Operate ancillary equipment.

  Additional Units (not compulsory):

• D/102/3277: Move and handle resources.
• M/103/3716: Operate specialised powered tools and equipment.
• T/103/3717: Set out secondary dimensional work control.
• A/103/3721: Slinging and signalling the movement of loads.
• H/103/3759: Plant operations from a barge.
• Y/103/3760: Erect and dismantle plant (Cranes and Rigs).

  The learning areas covered by all three core unit standards identified above are also catered for in the following South African core unit standards:

• Demonstrate an understanding of Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Legislations.
• Apply productivity principles on a construction site.
• Apply quality principles on a construction site.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the mechanics of plant.

  The plant catered for here has not been named in the titles of the elective units but has been clustered in terms of their functions. This approach differs from the South African qualification that clusters the plant into three categories namely, transport, earthmoving and ancillary and refers to the plant under consideration in the unit standard titles. Despite this difference in approach the qualifying learners will be able to operate the same type of plant except for cranes.

  New Zealand:

  The National Certificate in Civil Plant Operation (Bulk Earthmoving), Level 3, 80 Credits has been designed for entry level plant operators. This qualification will be awarded to people who have met the requirements of the compulsory and elective sections.

  All the standards listed below are required:

• Inspect civil construction plant and equipment (6436), Level 4, 5 credits.
• Demonstrate knowledge of soil properties for earthworks (20477), Level 2, 3 credits.
• Demonstrate knowledge of earthworks i.r.o. the environment (20616), Level 2, 4 credits.
• Demonstrate knowledge of bulk earthmoving (20624), Level 2, 2 credits.
• Apply safe work practices in the workplace (17593), Level 2, 4 credits.

  A minimum of 62 credits, including a minimum of 3 standards is required from Elective Set A or a combination of Elective Set B.

  Elective Set A:

• Operate a wheeled loader on civil construction sites (17309), Level 3, 20 credits.
• Operate a hydraulic excavator on civil construction sites (17310), Level 3, 25 credits.
• Operate a motor grader for earthworks (17311), Level 3, 30 credits.
• Operate a motor scraper on civil construction sites (17314), Level 3, 20 credits.
• Operate a self-propelled roller on civil construction sites (17315), Level 3, 20 credits.
• Operate a bulldozer on civil construction sites, (17316), Level 3, 20 credits.
• Operate an articulated dump truck on civil construction sites (17317), Level 3, 20 credits.
• Operate a rigid dump truck for bulk earthmoving (20625), Level 3, 12 credits.
• Operate a hydraulic face shovel (20626), Level 3, 15 credits.
• Operate a water cart for earthworks (20628), Level 3, 12 credits.

  Elective Set B:

• Describe the prevention of immobilisation and the recovery of immobilised machines (20627), Level 2, 2 credits.
• Manage first aid in emergency situations (6400), Level 3, 2 credits.
• Provide first aid (6401), Level 2, 1 credit.
• Provide resuscitation level 2 (6402), Level 1, 1 credit.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills for driving on a road for endorsement W (wheels) (16701), Level 3, 3 credits.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills for driving on a road for endorsement R (rollers) (16702), Level 3, 3 credits.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills for driving on a road for endorsement T (tracks) (16703), Level 3, 3 credits.

  The learning areas covered by four of the five core unit standards identified above are also catered for in the following South African core unit standards:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of earthworks.
• Demonstrate an understanding and implement environmental initiatives on a construction activity.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Legislations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of civil construction works.

  The learning area covered by the remaining core unit on “inspecting plant” is catered for in all the elective unit standards in relation to each type of plant rather than a separate unit standard for this competency.

  The South African qualification offers a wider range of plant (23) in the elective component compared to this New Zealand qualification (10). The three “first aid” units of elective set B share common learning areas with the following core unit standards of the National Certificate in Plant Operations, Level 2:

• Perform basic fire fighting.
• Provide risk-based primary emergency care/first aid in the workplace.

  Conclusion:

  All the compared qualifications serve the same purpose of preparing qualifying learners to acquire entry level knowledge and skills to be able to operate selected plant in various contexts. The core unit standards of these qualifications reflect similarities pertaining to “safety”, “first-aid”, “earthworks and civil construction works” and “environmental issues”. The scope of the core component of the South African qualification exceeds its counterparts as it prepares the learner for the workplace beyond the operation of plant to include other important competencies to ensure success.

  The approach to the clustering of the elective units for each type of plant differ, however, all the common plant used is catered for in these qualifications. The Australian qualification reflects the closest similarity as it provides for operating nineteen of the twenty three plant catered for in the South African equivalent. 

• ID 49081: National Certificate: Construction: Advanced Plant Operations, NQF Level 3.
• ID 49080: National Certificate: Construction: Advanced Crane Operations, NQF Level 3.
• National Certificate: Lifting Machine Operation, NQF Level 3.

  Examples of horizontal articulation with this Qualification are:

• ID 48961: National Certificate: Construction: Crane Operations, NQF Level 2.
• ID 58433: National Certificate: Fishing Operations, NQF Level 2. 

• Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the qualification 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 qualification 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. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
• Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 

• Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this qualification and the associated unit standards must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
• External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
• The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal moderation of assessment.
• Internal and external moderation should encompass achievement of competence described in the exit level outcomes of the qualification as well as the integrated competence described in the purpose of the qualification.