Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement gas management plans in coal mining, including implementing and reviewing gas monitoring and ventilation/gas control measures.
This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory roles or technical specialist roles. They generally monitor 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 implement gas management plan | 1.1 Access, interpret and implement gas management plan documentation and confirm work activity is compliant 1.2 Access, interpret and clarify legislative and site requirements relating to gas management 1.3 Identify and communicate roles and responsibilities to all involved persons according to gas management plan 1.4 Identify, forecast, obtain and allocate/schedule resources required to implement gas management plan 1.5 Identify training needs for personnel involved according to gas management plan and within scope of own role 1.6 Review gas management procedures and implement identified changes according to site requirements |
2. Implement mine gas monitoring measures | 2.1 Identify, measure and interpret impact of changes in composition, concentration of gas and gas make, and associated hazards on mine atmosphere 2.2 Implement procedures for installation, operation and maintenance of gas monitoring systems according to gas management plan 2.3 Implement systems and procedures for collection and analysis of gas samples according to gas management plan 2.4 Record and report monitoring system data according to gas management plan 2.5 Investigate changes in mine atmosphere status and implement corrective action according to gas management plan and site requirements 2.6 Record and process reports according to gas management plant and site requirements |
3. Implement ventilation/gas control measures | 3.1 Monitor mine environment and action according to gas management plan 3.2 Implement gas hazard control procedures associated with gas drainage and outburst mining conditions according to gas management plan 3.3 Identify situations where trigger levels are reached and implement response procedures according to gas management plan 3.4 Implement ventilation and gas monitoring systems and surveys for systems status assessment according to gas management plan 3.5 Implement procedures addressing relocation, operation and maintenance of drilling rigs and gas drainage infrastructure according to gas management plan and site requirements 3.6 Implement gas emergency and evacuation procedures according to mine safety management system and site requirements |
4. Audit gas management plan | 4.1 Review effectiveness of gas management plan implementation according to gas management plan 4.2 Audit mine gas monitoring systems operations according to legislative requirements and gas management plan 4.3 Audit mine gas control devices according to legislative and site requirements 4.4 Audit recording systems according to gas management plan 4.5 Audit the maintenance program and procedures according to gas management plan 4.6 Audit gas emergency and evacuation procedures according to mine safety management system 4.7 Audit gas management training plan according to gas management plan |
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:
implement gas management plans on at least two occasions, including:
conducting investigations and preparing reports
conducting audit and review processes
completing site document control requirements
implementing procedures for relocation, operation and maintenance of drilling rigs and gas drainage infrastructure.
During the above, the candidate must:
locate and apply relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures and confirm work activity is compliant
apply procedures and techniques for implementing gas management plans, including:
operating hand held monitoring equipment
collecting, collating and evaluating gas management data
accessing, evaluating and applying data from monitoring systems and equipment
applying risk management processes and techniques
accessing and analysing gas information related to the mine
interpreting and applying mathematical and scientific theorems/laws related to gas
work with others to implement the gas management plan in a manner that meets required outcomes, including:
communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions, and convey work progress
identifying and implementing gas management training requirements, programs, systems and procedures
identifying the relevant information and scope of the work necessary to meet required outcomes.
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 implement gas management plans
key procedures and documentation required to implement gas management plans
principles of ventilation management, including mine and goaf ventilation systems
methods of mine ventilation and their applications and limitations, including:
exhaust/force
antitropal
homotropal
flank returns
ascensional/decensional
bleeder
Z/U/Y systems
methods of panel gas management and their applications and limitations, including:
homotropal and antitropal, including in conjunction with use of goaf bleed and back return
auxiliary fans
coursed ventilation (narrow side/wide side)
machine mounted scrubber systems
compressed air venturis
bleeders
methods of gas drainage, including:
applications and limitations against mine design, mine and panel ventilation systems, systems of mining and current and future mine development
coal characteristics and coal seam gradients on mine gas management plans
mining techniques and impact of mine and panel design on gas management
gas drainage on airborne contaminant generation during mining
techniques for applying geological data and identifying impact of differing geological features and conditions on gas management and outburst, including:
faults
dykes
intrusions
strata deformities
impacts of intersecting and intersected holes and hole design components and factors relating to gas management plans, including:
types of mine gases, including:
characteristics under varying circumstances
sources
physiological effects
methods of detection
types of mine fires and possible impacts on gas management
types of mine explosions, including ignition sources and possible impacts on gas management
causes of pressure changes and impacts on gas management
sources of heat and humidity and factors which may impact mine gas management
effects of re-circulation
outburst control methods
underground water management techniques
inertisation techniques
types, characteristics, applications, limitations of equipment, monitoring systems and techniques, including:
mine fans
gas control devices, including:
design criteria and specifications
distribution/placement criteria
de-gassing methods of control, including:
brattice
auxiliary fans
compressed air venturis
sails
hurdles
bleeders
fixed gas monitoring systems
portable monitoring equipment
computer-based systems for mine gas analysis
gas surveys types, frequency and method for conducting, including:
pressure
quantity
temperature
gas
ventilation survey types, frequency and method for conducting, including:
pressure
temperature
gas
alarms and trigger points and levels
mine and goaf ventilation systems, including the following ventilation devices:
stoppings
overcasts
regulators
preparation seals
ventilation doors
bulk heads
goaf seals
final seals
pressure chambers
air locks
sling psychrometers, anemometers and velometers
techniques for recording and reporting monitoring system data
ventilation theory, including:
gas laws, including Charles’s law and Boyle’s law
natural ventilation
Coward’s triangle
Graham’s ratio
Ellicott Diagram
gas make
Trickett’s ratio
leakage
psychrometry and heat
CO and CO2 ratios
Kirchoff’s laws
techniques for identifying individual training needs
techniques for auditing and reviewing gas management systems and processes
principles, processes and techniques for emergency response, evacuation and disaster planning
techniques for leading and coordinating work activities with others.
Assessment Conditions
Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:
include access to:
gas 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, performs mathematical calculations and applies mathematical and scientific laws and theorem |
Oral communication | Conveys information and requirements clearly and listens actively |
Reading | Identifies and interprets relevant information from workplace procedures, documentation and legislation |
Writing | Prepares specific information that complies with requirements, using sector-specific vocabulary, grammatical structures and conventions |
Sectors
Coal mining (underground)