Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to establish and maintain the gas management system

apply legislative organisation and site requirements and procedures for establishing and maintaining the gas management system

access interpret and apply technical information

access and analyse archival and historical gas information related to the mine

interpret and apply mathematical and scientific theorems laws related to gas management

perform gas planning mathematical calculations

access evaluate and apply design criteria for gas management

interpret computer spreadsheets and gas modelling simulations

collect collate and evaluate gas data

establish technical procedures relating to gas management

conduct enquiries investigations and prepare reports

communicate effectively in the workplace

access evaluate and apply data from monitoring systems and equipment

establish gas training requirements programs systems and procedures

apply risk management processes and techniques

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used This includes knowledge of the following as required to establish and maintain the gas management system

legislative requirements for including air quality maximum values control and distribution flammable gas limits ventilation fans gas monitoring and inspections and recordingreporting

the methods of mine ventilation and their applicationslimitations including exhaustforce antitropal homotropal flank returns ascensionaldescensional bleeder ZUY systems and other combinations

the methods of panel gas management and their applicationslimitations including homotropal and antitropal and in conjunction with these the use of goaf bleed or back return auxiliary fans coursed ventilation narrow sidewide side machine mounted scrubber systems compressed air venturis and bleeders

the impact of mining techniques and mine and panel design on gas management

the impact of coal characteristics and coal seam gradients on mine gas systems

mine gases the types and their characteristics sources physiological effects and methods of detection

the use and calculation of specific gas emissions

mine fires the types sources of ignition and possible impacts of gas management

pressure changes causes and the impacts on gas management

heat humidity the sources and factors which may impact on gas management

mine fans fan laws fan types performance characteristics configurations application and limitations

gas control devices the types purposes design criteria and specifications distribution placement criteria hazards and limitations including gas drainage

degassing methods of control including brattice auxiliary fans compressed air venturis sails hurdles and bleeders

fixed gas monitoring systems types characteristics uses and limitations

portable monitoring equipment types characteristics uses and limitations

functions capabilities advantages limitations and uses of computer modelling and simulation techniques for gas management

a basic knowledge of computerbased systems for mine gas analysis

Gas Management System development requirements and processes

gas surveys the types frequency and methods for conducting

processes and techniques for determining alarms and trigger points levels

audit and review processes and techniques

emergency response and disaster planning processes and techniques

general uses and application of gas management theory including

gas laws including Charles and Boyle

natural ventilation

Cowards Triangle

Grahams Ratio

Ellicott Diagram

gas make

Morris Ratio

Tricketts Ratio

leakage

psychrometry and heat

Hughes and Raybould triangle

oxides of carbon ratio

Kirkoffs laws

geological data

principles of ventilation management

mine and goaf ventilation systems

underground water management principles

gas management drilling techniques

site environmental monitoring requirements

risk management procedures

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following

knowledge of the requirements procedures and instructions for establishing and maintaining the gas management system

implementation of procedures and techniques for the safe effective and efficient establishment and maintenance of the gas management system

the identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required to meet the required outcomes

the identification of viable options and the selection of gas management system elements that best meet the required outcomes

working with other to undertake and complete the establishment and maintenance of the gas management system

consistent successful establishment and maintenance of the gas management system

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance including task skills task management skills contingency management skills and job role environment skills

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant For example language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job

Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity

Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues

Where applicable physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods

written andor oral assessment of the candidates required knowledge to apply in undertaking of the establishment and maintenance of the gas management system

observed documented andor first hand testimonial evidence of the candidates

implementation of appropriate requirement procedures and techniques for the safe effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes

identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required to meet the required outcomes

identification of viable options and the selection of gas management system elements that best meet the required outcomes

consistent achievement of required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidates

working with others to undertake and complete the establishment and maintenance of the gas management system

provision of clear and timely required support and advice on the establishment and maintenance of the gas management system

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues

Relevant compliance documentation may include:

Coal Seam characteristics may include inherent factors such as:

Geological conditions may include:

Hazard is defined as: a source of potential harm or a situation with a potential to cause loss (definition from AS/NZS 4360:1999 Risk Management).

Hazards may include:

Risk is defined as: the chance of something happening that will have an impact upon objectives. It is measured in terms of consequences and likelihood (definition from AS/NZS 4360:1999 Risk Management).

Ventilation methods may include:

Ignition sources may include:

Maintenance of the ventilation system may include:

Action (alarm or trigger) level is a generic term used to describe a level determined at the mine site at which action is initiated or a response made.

Gas Management System establishes procedures for maintaining a safe environment and may include:

Gas Management Training applies to:

Audit is defined as: a systematic examination against defined criteria to determine whether activities and related results conform to planned arrangement, and whether these arrangements are implemented effectively and are suitable to achieve the organisation's policy and objectives (AS/NZS 4804: 2001).

Principles of mine design include:

Standard operating procedures (SOP) are also known as safe working procedures, safe operating procedures and standard working procedures.

Mine atmosphere refers to all areas in the general mine ventilation district and beyond into waste working and goafs/gobs in the mine.

Mine gases may include seam gases or gases from introduced sources and may include but not be limited to:

Ventilation devices may include:

Explosive control devices may include:

Gas management devices and options may include:

Mine atmosphere monitoring may include:

Infrastructure may include:

Types of fires may include:

Disruptions/ventilation pressure changes may include those resulting from:

Effect of re-circulation may include:

Criteria for safe mine ventilation may include:

Monitoring devices may include:

Monitoring includes that related to:

Alarm systems and action plans may include those for:

Procedures required to support the gas management plan may include those for: