This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply and monitor the ground management plan, including implementing routine ground control measures.

It applies to those working in supervisory roles. They generally undertake a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures and take responsibility for the quality of own 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:

apply and monitor the ground management plan on at least two occasions, including:

conducting geotechnical inspection of work areas

monitoring and assessing the impact of operations, including any blasting, on ground stability and making adjustments as required

identifying and evaluating the hazards and risks associated with the ground controls and placement of plant and equipment

assessing and assigning appropriate plant and applying appropriate remediation techniques

implementing stockpile and dump control measures

identifying surface and groundwater issues

identifying training needs of team members and preparing a training plan

assessing outcomes to make recommendations and writing reports.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply relevant documentation, policies and procedures and confirm that the work activity is compliant

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for applying and monitoring the ground management plan, including:

identifying hazards and risks, and implementing control measures

accessing and analysing archival and historical information related to ground control and batter stability issues

interpreting and applying pit and slope design criteria

participating in audits

identifying and applying geological and geotechnical information

work with others to apply and monitor the ground management plan

communicate clearly and concisely with others to resolve coordination requirements prior to commencing and during work activities.

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 policies, procedures and documentation required to apply and monitor the ground management plan

purpose of the ground control management plan

principles of basic geology including:

rock types

geological processes

geological structures

common survey and slope design terminology and surface operation design parameters

operating characteristics, limitations and safe placement of plant equipment, including:

exclusion zones

catch troughs

catch bunds

cab placement

safe load and dump methods

types and mechanisms of ground instability, including:

blocky conditions

wedge/plane/toppling structures

slumping/heave

adverse jointing

fault and shear orientation

subsidence

factors impacting on slope stability, including:

material properties

fault zones

blasting

pit wall profile

surface and ground water

changes in ground temperature

presence of underground workings

principles and techniques for controlling ground instability, including:

minimizing blast damage

excavation control and scaling

waste dump and stockpile formation methodology

groundwater and surface water control

remedial and slope stabilisation methods

exclusion zones

principles and techniques for inspection and monitoring, including:

role of the geotechnical engineer

types of inspection

visual warning signs

types and purpose of monitoring instrumentation

design standards and techniques for constructing and maintaining infrastructure, including:

waste dumps

stockpiles

drainage systems

haul roads

earth bunds

catch berm

principles and techniques for applying risk management processes

principles and techniques for reviewing inspection, communication and reporting methodologies

principles and techniques for providing leadership and direction to teams

principles and techniques for conducting training needs assessments and preparing training plans.

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

include access to:

personal and protective equipment

equipment required to apply and monitor the ground control management plan

relevant documentation

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.

This unit 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 RII 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

Extractive

Metalliferous mining