Application
This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to apply and monitor the gas management plan in Coal mining.
This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory or technical specialist 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 application of the unit.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for the application of the gas management plan | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply gas management plan documentation, and ensure the work activity is compliant 1.2 Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements 1.3 Communicate and explain responsibilities and tasks in an effective and timely manner 1.4 Identify, obtain and allocate resources 1.5 Identify individual training needs and preparing training plans |
2. Apply the gas management plan | 2.1 Identify, measure and interpret the impact of changes in composition, the concentration of gas and gas make, and associated hazards on the mine atmosphere 2.2 Identify and interpret the impact of mine factors on the mines gas management 2.3 Identify, assess and apply hazard control procedures associated with gas drainage and outburst mining conditions 2.4 Apply procedures for the installation, operation and maintenance of mine gas monitoring systems 2.5 Apply procedures for the installation and operation of gas management devices and systems 2.6 Apply systems and procedures for the collection of gas samples 2.7 Record and report monitoring system data 2.8 Investigate changes in mine atmosphere status and report 2.9 Interpret and apply procedures covering the relocation, operation and maintenance of drilling rigs and infrastructure 2.10 Respond to alarms raised in accordance with the gas management plan 2.11 Apply emergency and evacuation procedures 2.12 Participate in systems audit and review requirements 2.13 Implement training plans |
3. Apply gas management system maintenance procedures | 3.1 Carry out inspections and ensure that repair and maintenance activities are conducted 3.2 Record, report and review maintenance activities |
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 legislation, documentation, policies and procedures
implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application and monitoring of gas management plan including:
reading, interpreting, communicating and applying technical information
operating hand held monitoring equipment
accessing, evaluating and applying data from monitoring systems and equipment
collecting, collating, evaluating and reporting gas data
applying and interpreting mathematical and scientific theorems/laws related to gas management
accessing and interpreting archival and historical gas information related to the mine
conducting investigations and preparing reports
identifying training needs, and preparing and implementing training plans
works effectively with others to plan, prepare and apply the gas management plan 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 applying and monitoring the gas management plan that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
application of systems for mine gases such as seam gases or gases from introduced sources:
methane
carbon dioxide
oxides of nitrogen
hydrogen
carbon monoxide
sulphur dioxide
hydrogen sulphide
hydrocarbons
combinations
oxygen
nitrogen
application of alarm (also known as trigger level) systems and action plans such as:
gas concentration/make/ratios
spontaneous combustion (physical and gaseous)
combustion indicators
condition monitoring for fans (vibration/temperature/current/failures)
ventilation devices
monitoring hardware
virgin gas content of the coal seam
application of gas management devices and methods such as:
gas drainage
infusion
scrubbers
automatic gas detectors
tube bundle systems
de-gassing device on auxiliary fans
gas monitoring systems
inertisation systems
monitoring devices, including:
barograph
tube bundle
real time telemetry
portable (hand held) monitoring
bag samples
gas chromatography
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of applying and monitoring the gas management plan through:
accessing, interpreting and applying legislative, organization and site requirements and procedures for:
developing the requirements and processes of the gas management plan
applying risk assessment and management processes
monitoring and maintaining ventilation, including air quality, air quantity, maximum/minimum values, control and distribution, flammable gas limits, ventilation fan, gas monitoring inspections and recording/reporting
identifying and managing environmental issues, hazards and risks
conducting audit and review processes and techniques
identifying training systems
the impact of mining techniques and mine and panel layout on panel gas management
the impact of coal characteristics and coal seam gradients on mine gas management
the impact of differing geological features and conditions on gas management, including:
faults, dykes, intrusions and strata deformities
strata geology including: coal seam gradient, moisture content, friability, the porous features of the coal seam, stresses and intrusions, and its impact on gas drainage
core sampling techniques
in-seam drilling techniques
impacts of intersecting holes and hole design
the methods of panel gas management and their application/limitations, including:
forcing and exhausting, homotropal and antitropal (and in conjunction with these, the use of goaf bleed or back return), auxiliary fans, coursed ventilation (narrow side/wide side), recirculation, machine mounted scrubber systems, ducted systems, compressed air venturis and bleeders
components/factors to be considered in the gas management plan including:
mine gases: the types and their characteristics, sources, physiological effects and methods of detection
mine fires: the types, sources of ignition, possible impacts on gas management
mine explosions: the types, ignition sources and possible effects on gas management
gas make characteristics
pressure changes: causes and the impacts on gas management
heat/humidity: the sources and factors which may impact on gas management
the impact of water on ventilation
outburst indicators
inertisation techniques
the general effects of velocity pressure, duct and stopping leakage
using equipment, monitoring systems and techniques including:
mine fans: fan types, applications and limitations
gas control devices: the types, purposes, design criteria and specifications, distribution/placement criteria and limitations
fixed gas monitoring systems: types, uses and limitations
portable monitoring equipment: types, uses and limitations
computer-based systems used for mine gas analysis
gas surveys: the types, frequency and method for conducting, including pressure/quantity/temperature and gas
ventilation surveys: the types, frequency and method for conducting, including pressure/temperature/gas
alarms and trigger points/levels: types, characteristics, purposes and responses
mine and goaf ventilation systems
the general purpose and application of sling psychrometer, anemometer, velometer
applying ventilation theory, including
gas laws, including Charles and Boyle
natural ventilation
Coward’s Triangle
Graham’s Ratio
Ellicott’s Triangle
gas make
air quantity measurement
control device leakage
duct leakage
applying emergency response and evacuation/disaster planning processes and techniques
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 (Underground)