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 designing and maintaining pillar systems and ground control

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of designing and maintaining pillar systems and ground control

working with others to undertake and complete the design and maintenance of pillar systems and ground control that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of designing and maintaining pillar systems and ground control that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

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 and/or 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 and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

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

consistent achievement of required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to undertake and complete the design and maintenance of pillar systems and ground controls

Guidance information for assessment

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

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 design and maintain pillar systems and ground control:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for the design and maintenance of pillar systems and ground control

apply operational safety requirements

install secondary support devices

operate communications systems

operate extraction plant and machinery

maintain records

identify faults

apply environmental constraints

dispose of environmentally sensitive fluids and materials

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 design and maintain pillar systems and ground control:

pillar configuration

assessment of mine ground conditions

pillar design and layout

characteristics and properties of roofs

dust suppression methods and equipment

hazards affecting pillar design and development

secondary support methods and installation techniques

pillar extraction methods and safety requirements

operational safety requirements

communication systems

emergency procedures

environmental requirements

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant compliance documentation may include:

legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian standards

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Pillars are the primary means of roof support required to hold up the mass of ground between the underground mine workings and the surface and may be:

randomly spaced

regularly spaced

square

rectangular

round

Design parameters may include those for:

single-level mining

multiple-level mining

thick-level mining

decline-access mining

Secondary support may include:

rock bolts

props

Effects of adjacent mines may include:

water levels in old or currently unworked claims if a breakthrough occurs

stresses transferred through the rock due to the excavations made in the adjacent claims

the requirements for boundary pillars to be left

any falls which may act as a warning

the presence of geological discontinuities

Characteristics and properties may include:

weight of upper strata

vertical compressive force

discontinuities

faults

separation cracks

different-coloured layers

different textures

iron oxide stains

bleaching

joints

blows

bands

Personal Protective Equipment may include:

lamp

safety helmet

eye protection

hearing protection

protection from atmospheric contaminants (dust/oil mist)

hand protection

overalls

safety footwear

Work area inspections may include:

travel ways

footings

access

retreat

fumes or dust

ventilation air flow

ground conditions

services

Dust suppression and/or extraction may include:

fans (electric or compressed air)

ventilation bags

mobile or fixed sprays

vent devices

air movers

watering down work area

Communications may include:

radio

telephone

computer

lights

audible signals (bells, whistles, sirens)

physical signals

written and verbal means