Application
This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to respond to mine incidents in Metalliferous mining
This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.
No licensing, legislation or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare to evaluate readiness for incident response | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply mine incident documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant 1.2 Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements 1.3 Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues and implement control measures 1.4 Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities 1.5 Identify, establish and maintain communication systems with other personnel during the emergency 1.6 Communicate and coordinate activities with others prior to, during and on completion of the work activity 1.7 Identify, obtain and test emergency equipment 1.8 Evaluate personal fitness for incident response 1.9 Maintain personal competencies and medical fitness for rescue operations |
2. Respond to incident | 2.1 Assemble at designated assembly point 2.2 Report to emergency control personnel and receive briefing on incident and mine conditions 2.3 Confirm the location, nature and personnel involved in the incident and record on mine plan 2.4 Identify and access rescue operation equipment 2.5 Assess the need for additional required equipment 2.6 Identify and access additional rescue operation equipment |
3. Prepare for mine entry | 3.1 Establish safest route from current mine plans and verify with Team Leader 3.2 Evaluate and test mine atmosphere, determine location and establish incident control point(s) 3.3 Establish communications systems and brief team members on communication protocols 3.4 Constitute team with number of personnel between the maximum and minimum specified in rescue guidelines and allocate team roles 3.5 Assess need for stand-by team and resource stand-by team 3.6 Receive and verify pre-operational briefing from Team Leader 3.7 Identify recommended routes from the mine plan 3.8 Select appropriate gas measurement instruments and equipment and carry out pre-operational tests and inspections 3.9 Identify, check and test standard and additional mines rescue equipment 3.10Commence operations from established incident control point(s) |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:
locates and applies relevant documentation, policies and procedures
implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of responding to mine incidents including:
reporting on hazardous situations
interpreting results from mine gas testing instruments
selecting extrication methods
reading and interpreting mine plan symbols
assessing situation and making decisions
assessing and managing risks
managing personal fitness and readiness
using standard and specialised equipment
works effectively with others to undertake and complete response to mine incidents that meets all the required outcomes including:
complying with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures
communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions
communicating clearly and concisely with others to coordinate work activities
demonstrates completion of response to mine incidents that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
operating gas testing and monitoring instruments
wearing and using escape apparatus
operating in breathing apparatus
operating extrication equipment
taking and analysing gas samples
developing and applying contingency plans
reading mine plans and navigating in mines
selecting and using personal protective equipment
taking air and relative humidity measurements, ventilation readings and temperatures
identifying and using of air and gas monitoring systems
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in responding to mine incidents through:
the types and causes of hazards and mine incidents
geological and survey data
hot and humid atmospheres
location and distribution of caches
trigger points to initiate emergency response to alarms
location and purpose of a place of safety
guidance systems and markers
site emergency plans
types of adverse environmental conditions
escape routes and alternative escape routes
mine ventilation systems
the types and effects of mine gases
operation and limitations of breathing apparatus
standby/emergency procedures for incident control
Assessment Conditions
An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,
this unit is best assessed in the context of this sector’s 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 this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills; and,
this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,
assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,
assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,
assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,
where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,
assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:
Industry sector | AQF** Level | Required assessor or Industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction | 1 | 1 Year |
2 | 2 Years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying) | 3-6 | 3 Years |
Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction | 3-6 | 5 Years |
Other sectors | Where this Unit is being assessed outside of the Resources and Infrastructure Sectors assessor and/or Industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no Industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation. |
*Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within Industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the Unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to Industry by conducting frequent site assessments across various locations.
**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.
Sectors
Metalliferous mining