Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply and monitor the inrush management plan in coal mining, including applying hazard controls and monitoring systems.
It applies to those working in supervisory or technical specialist roles. They generally perform a broad range of operational activities in their area of responsibility and are responsible for monitoring a safe work environment.
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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare to apply and monitor the inrush management plan | 1.1 Obtain, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements 1.2 Access, interpret and apply inrush management plan documentation and confirm work activity is compliant 1.3 Communicate and explain responsibilities and tasks to personnel involved according to inrush management plan 1.4 Identify, obtain and allocate resources according to inrush management plan 1.5 Identify training needs for personnel involved according to inrush management plan and within scope of own role |
2. Apply and monitor inrush activities | 2.1 Identify, interpret and apply inrush monitoring, recording and reporting procedures according to inrush management plan 2.2 Interpret, apply and monitor control measures according to inrush management plan 2.3 Interpret, apply and monitor actions and procedures in response to potential inrush according to inrush management plan 2.4 Confirm, apply, communicate and post permit-to-mine procedures according to inrush management plan and site requirements 2.5 Apply and monitor procedures addressing inrush personnel safety according to inrush management plan 2.6 Inspect equipment protection/defensive requirements and measures according to inrush management plan and site requirements 2.7 Participate in systems audit and review requirements according to inrush management plan |
3. Apply inrush prevention system maintenance procedures | 3.1 Carry out inspections, repair and maintenance activities according to site requirements 3.2 Record, report and review maintenance activities according to site requirements |
Evidence of Performance
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:
apply and monitor inrush management plans on at least two occasions, including:
applying inrush hazard controls, including:
pumping
ventilation
seals
inrush control zones
protective drilling
action levels
applying inrush monitoring systems, including:
continuous and/or periodic monitoring
portable (hand held) monitoring
core samples
visual observation
geological mapping
borehole pressure readings
identifying and controlling inrush hazards in a simulated environment.
During the above, the candidate must:
locate and apply relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures and confirm work activity is compliant
implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for applying and monitoring inrush management plans, including:
interpreting, communicating and applying technical information
operating hand held monitoring equipment
accessing and interpreting data from monitoring systems and equipment
accessing and interpreting design criteria for inrush prevention/management systems and devices
interpreting computer spreadsheets and inrush modelling/simulations
accessing and interpreting archival and historical inrush information related to the mine
conducting enquiries/investigations and preparing audit reports
work effectively with others to apply and monitor inrush management plans that meet the required outcomes, including:
organising work activities to meet task requirements
communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions
complying with reporting requirements and procedures
determining coordination requirements throughout work activities.
Evidence of Knowledge
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 apply and monitor inrush management plan
key procedures and documentation required to apply and monitor inrush management plan, including those for:
planning and design of mines and mining structures, including:
mine plans
ventilation
gas monitoring
strata support
safety management plans
developing the requirements and processes of the inrush management plan
applying risk assessment and management processes
identifying and managing environmental issues, hazards and risks
principles, applications and limitations of inrush hazards controls, including:
pumping
ventilation
seals
inrush control zones
protective drilling
action levels
principles, applications and limitations of inrush monitoring systems, including:
continuous and/or periodic monitoring
portable (hand held) monitoring
core samples
visual observation
geological mapping
borehole pressure readings
principles and techniques for identifying and applying mine site historical information, including:
sedimentology aspects of mine sites relating to subsidence
previous inrush
gas content and composition
roof and floor technical data
over and underlying strata
water bearing strata
permeability of seam and strata
hydrology
physical property testing results
caving characteristics
ground stress behaviour
systems of mining and their impact on inrush management, including:
tunnels
drifts
stone drivage
shaft sinking
pillar extraction
partial extraction
punch mining
fault drivage
systems of work and their impact on inrush management, including:
drilling operations
bord and pillar
place change
longwall
highwall
auger mining
pillar extraction
partial extraction
punch mining
factors affecting stability of mining structures, including:
stress analysis, including mining induced stress and topography
sedimentology, including:
subsidence
water bearing strata
permeability of seam and strata
hydrology
hydrogeology
physical property testing
caving characteristics
over and underlying strata
mining structure failure modes
mining and general engineering principles relevant to the behaviour of excavations in rock, including:
ground support systems
geotechnical engineering
excavation engineering
tunnel engineering and shaft sinking
rock mechanics
mine surveying
mining of coal deposits
thermodynamics
impacts of differing geological features and conditions of potential inrush, including:
the effects of coal seam characteristics on inrush
faults, dykes, intrusions and strata deformities
techniques for using monitoring systems, including:
fixed monitoring systems types, uses, limitations, design criteria, specifications and design processes
portable monitoring equipment types, uses and limitations
processes and techniques for determining alarms and trigger points/levels
methods of control of inrush
inrush control zones
techniques for identifying individual training needs
principles, processes and techniques for emergency responses, evacuations and disaster planning
techniques for coordinating and communicating job activities with others.
Assessment Conditions
Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:
include access to:
inrush management plan
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:
Industry sector | AQF indicator level*** | Required assessor or industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Infrastructure | 1 | 1 year |
2 | 2 years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying), Metalliferous Mining and Civil Infrastructure | 3-6 | 3 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. |
*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.
Foundation Skills
Numeracy | Calculates resourcing requirements and performs mathematical calculations |
Oral communication | Conveys information and requirements clearly and listens actively |
Reading | Identifies and interprets relevant information from workplace procedures, documentation and legislation |
Sectors
Coal mining (underground)