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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare for assessment of ground conditions
   • Obtain, interpret and confirm work requirements
   • Access, interpret and apply documentation and procedures required for conducting local geotechnical risk control in surface operations
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment according to site requirements
   • Confirm the work areas to be inspected and assessed
   • Obtain and interpret existing information on ground conditions and hazards according to site requirements
   • Identify key pit design features and associated hazards
   • Discuss and address potential hazards and environmental factors with relevant personnel and identify potential control measures
   • Identify and understand the ground control management plan within scope of own role
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures and identify steps required to respond to emergencies according to site requirements
2. Inspect, assess and implement ground condition controls
   • Inspect and assess ground conditions and implement controls
   • Conduct an assessment of the work areas to confirm stability and record findings
   • Implement appropriate controls to make safe or to maintain stable ground conditions in accordance with job role and workplace procedures
   • Install barricades and warning signs where area cannot be made safe according to job and site requirements and report to relevant personnel
   • Monitor and assess ground conditions during work activities according to site requirements
3. Record and report ground conditions, and conduct housekeeping activities
   • Record and report ground conditions and corrective actions to relevant personnel according to workplace procedures
   • Report potential hazards to relevant personnel according to workplace procedures
   • Clean, maintain and inspect equipment according to manufacturer specifications and site requirements, and address and report any issues to relevant personnel

Performance Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

conduct local geotechnical risk control in surface operations on at least two occasions, including:

identifying ground conditions, including stable and unstable ground

identifying key pit design features

identifying and understanding the requirements of the ground control management plan relevant to own job role

selecting and using tools, equipment and techniques for the inspection of ground conditions

identifying and inspecting work areas for geotechnical hazards, including:

ground deformation

blocky ground

structure

subsidence

open cracks

water

loss of catch capacity

rock fall

overhanging walls

communicating geotechnical risks to relevant personnel

identifying and clarifying the location that requires ground controls and installing barricades.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply relevant documentation, policies and procedures and confirm that the work activity is compliant

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for conducting local geotechnical risk control in surface operations

working with others to conduct local geotechnical risk control in surface operations

communicate clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions and to resolve coordination requirements prior to commencing and during work activities.

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

key policies, procedures and documentation required to conduct local geotechnical risk control in surface operations, including:

the ground control management plan

safe operating procedures

principles of basic geology, including:

rock types

geological processes

geological structures

common survey and slope design terminology and surface operation design parameters

characteristics, limitations and placement of plant and equipment to reduce exposure to geotechnical hazards, including:

exclusion zones

catch troughs

catch bunds

cab placement

safe load and dump methods

principles and techniques for the use of plant and equipment within manufacturer specifications

factors impacting on slope stability, including:

material properties

fault zones

blasting

pit wall profile

surface and ground water

changes in ground temperature

presence of underground workings

visual signs of ground instability, including:

blocky conditions

adverse jointing

tension cracks

batter movement or deformation

water seepage and infiltrations

rock fall

undercut/overhang

backbreak or underbreak techniques for controlling instability through:

excavation control and scaling

waste dump and stockpile formation methodology

groundwater and surface water control

principles and techniques for identifying relevant emergencies

recording and reporting according to workplace procedures

techniques for coordinating and communicating job activities with others.

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