Application
This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct longwall face equipment operations in Coal mining
This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles
Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between States, Territories and Industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to the application of this unit.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare to conduct longwall face operations | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply longwall face equipment operations 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 appropriate personal protective equipment and protective clothing 1.5 Access, interpret and apply mine environmental data required to complete the allocated work 1.6 Conduct scheduled longwall face inspections 1.7 Obtain and interpret emergency procedures and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency |
2. Operate longwall equipment | 2.1 Communicate and coordinate activities with others throughout the work activity 2.2 Carry out pre-start, start-up, shutdown, isolation and secure equipment procedures 2.3 Advance roof support equipment in sequence, or according to site conditions, to maintain correct face alignment and support roof in accordance with extraction plan 2.4 Operate longwall coal conveying equipment 2.5 Identify/monitor and respond to changing geological conditions 2.6 Continually monitor hazards and risks, and ensure safety of self, other personnel, plant and equipment 2.7 Monitor systems and alarms and rectify or report factors adversely affecting production |
3. Carry out operator maintenance | 3.1 Prepare machine/equipment for maintenance 3.2 Conduct inspection and fault finding 3.3 Carry out scheduled maintenance tasks 3.4 Carry out housekeeping activities 3.5 Process written maintenance records |
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 longwall face operations including:
reading, interpreting, applying and communicating technical information
identifying, addressing and reporting environmental issues, potential hazards and risks
selecting and using relevant tools and equipment
complying with environmental requirements and constraints
identifying work requirements
applying diagnostic and fault finding techniques
interpreting mine survey and geological data
maintaining equipment records
works effectively with others to undertake and complete longwall face operations in a way that meets all of the required outcomes including:
organising work activities to meet all task requirements
communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions
complying with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures
resolving coordination requirements throughout work activities
demonstrates completion of conducting longwall face equipment operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
operating longwall coal conveying equipment including confirming work requirements details such as:
equipment, including defects
cutting height
next cutting sequence
achievement targets
essential survey data
geological conditions
hazards and potential hazards
coordination requirements/issues, and
completing coordination with others involved, such as:
the shearer operator
the longwall ancillary equipment (pantech) operator
completing scheduled longwall face inspections such as:
shift inspection
daily inspection
weekly inspection
monthly inspection
3-monthly inspection
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the following when conducting longwall face equipment operations:
site operational safety procedures
longwall operational processes and procedures
longwall face equipment characteristics and limitations
mine geology and survey information
mine ventilation systems
understanding mine ventilation systems
being prepared for fire/accident/emergency
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 must be assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment; 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
Coal mining