This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct ventilation operations in coal mining, including auxiliary fan, venturi blower, stoppings and brattice line.

It applies to those working in operational roles. They generally work under supervision to undertake a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures and take some responsibility for the quality of work outcomes.

Licensing, legislative and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories and industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the unit.

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 ventilation operations on at least two occasions, including performing at least two of the following ventilation methods:

auxiliary fan (forcing and extracting)

venturi blower

stoppings

brattice line.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply required documentation, policies and procedures and confirm work activity is compliant

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for conducting ventilation operations, including:

identifying, addressing and reporting environmental issues, potential hazards and risks

applying equipment and manual handling techniques

selecting and using relevant tools and equipment

identifying work requirements

identifying gas content

installing and extending ventilation equipment

reading and interpreting ventilation plans

applying isolation and tagging

work with others to conduct ventilation operations in a way that meets required outcomes, including:

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions

complying with reporting requirements and procedures.

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 legislation required to conduct ventilation operations

key policies, procedures and documentation required to conduct ventilation operations

equipment characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations required for ventilation operations

principles and techniques for applying ventilation methods, including:

auxiliary fan (forcing and extracting)

venturi blower

stoppings

brattice line

principles and techniques for installing and extending brattices and vent tubes, including the following brattice methods:

wide side

narrow side

hurdles

wings

screens/stoppings

gas characteristics relevant to ventilation operations, including inrush gases

causes and effects of static electricity relevant to ventilation operations

principles and techniques for auxiliary ventilation

principles and techniques for applying sequence plans

techniques for identifying and responding to relevant hazards, including those related to:

inundation inrush

gas

dust

static electricity

roof, floor and rib conditions

water accumulation

ventilating air recirculation

basic maintenance techniques, including for the following equipment defects:

broken earth wires

damaged ventilation tubes

torn brattices

broken ventilation tube rubbers

techniques for applying mine environmental data, requirements and constraints related to ventilation operations

site requirements for housekeeping, completing maintenance records and reporting requirements, including reporting ventilation status.

basic techniques for communicating job activities with others.

Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment required to conduct ventilation operations

be conducted in a safe environment; and,

be assessed in the context of this sector's work environment; and,

be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures and processes directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances.

Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated work 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.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must be able to clearly demonstrate current and relevant industry knowledge and experience to satisfy the mandatory regulatory standards as set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/Australian Quality Training Framework mandatory requirements for assessors current at the time of assessment and any relevant licensing and certification requirements. This includes:

vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed

current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided

current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment

formal relevant qualifications in training and assessment

having knowledge of and/or experience using the latest techniques and processes

possessing the required level of RII training product knowledge

having an understanding and knowledge of legislation and regulations relevant to the industry and to employment and workplaces

demonstrating the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence outlined in this unit of competency, and

the minimum years of current** work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below in an industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit.

It is also acceptable for the appropriately qualified assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together and for the industry expert to be involved in the assessment judgement. The industry expert must have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided. This means the industry subject matter expert must demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed:

*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide located on VETNet.

**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 a minimum number of site assessments as determined by the relevant industry sector, across various locations.

*** While a unit of competency does not have an AQF level, where a unit is being delivered outside of a qualification the first numeric character in the unit code should be considered as the AQF indicator level for assessment purposes.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Coal mining