Program Overview

Programme in Primary and Secondary Explosives

Overview

The Programme in Primary and Secondary Explosives is a Short Learning Programme designed for individuals employed in the explosives industry. The programme aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to apply elementary explosives technologies during manufacturing processes and to supervise limited manufacturing processes.

Target Group

The target group for this programme is the explosives and armaments industry, including commercial, arms manufacturing, military, police, mining, structural engineering, and explosives regulatory sectors. All students wishing to register for this programme must be employed in the explosives industry.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for this programme include a Senior Certificate or an equivalent NQF level 4 qualification. Students should also be competent in language, numeracy, and communication skills at NQF Level 5.

Programme Details

• Qualification code: 76701
• Duration: 6 months
• Language medium: English

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this programme is to apply elementary explosives technologies during manufacturing processes in an explosives environment and to ensure students are able to supervise limited manufacturing processes, apply principles of quality control, and solve management problems on a middle management level.

Modules

The programme consists of the following modules:

PPSE01B - Primary High Explosives

Content includes introduction to primary explosives, types, definitions, applications, power, and sensitivity of explosives, and explosive trains.

PPSE02C - Secondary High Explosives and Blast Design Principles

Content covers the use of explosives in blasting operations, blasting geometry, explosives charge distribution, blast design patterns, and environmental considerations.

PPSE03D - Propellants, Blasting and Ground Vibration

Content includes legal requirements for the use of explosives in blasting operations, ground vibrations, air blast, and noise in blasting operations, and health and safety aspects.

PPSE04E - Propellants

Content covers practical skills required to operate, maintain, and manage propellants, including types, definitions, applications, historical overview, behavior, energy, and requirements.

PPSE05F - Apply Quality Management Principles when Supervising Staff

Content includes the quality function, six-sigma of information, quality management systems, and ISO 9000 family.

PPSE06G - Configuration Management Techniques

Content covers documentation management and configuration management.

PPSE07H - Management Principles in the Working Environment

Content includes quality assurance, quality control, and management principles.

PPSE08J - Quality Techniques

Content covers quality toolbox, process development, and qualification.

Registration Periods

The programme has specific registration periods, which are semester-based registrations.