This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to operate and monitor ore car dumpers in coal and metalliferous mining, including carrying out rail, plant and equipment isolations and routine operational maintenance.

It applies to those working in operational roles. They generally work under minimal supervision to undertake a broad range of tasks in varied work contexts, using some discretion and judgement in selecting equipment, services or contingency measures

No licensing, legislation, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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:

operate and monitor ore car dumpers on at least two occasions, including:

completing assessment of yard layout limit and locations of derailers

conducting equipment isolation, inspections and checks

conducting shutting down and isolating car dumpers

identifying locations of emergency stop devices.

During the above, the candidate must:

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

work effectively with others to operate and monitor ore car dumper and equipment that meets required outcomes, including:

using a range of communications techniques and equipment to convey information to others

maintaining reporting requirements and procedures

communicating to confirm work requirements.

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 conduct conveyor-car high wall mining operations, including:

operational safety requirements

site and equipment safety procedures

site environmental requirements

principles and techniques for assessing yard layout limits and derailer locations

principles and techniques for communication, including:

two way radios

hand signals

underground cap lamp signals

team briefing

shift changeover meeting

characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations of ore car dumpers, including:

prestart checks, including:

availability of equipment

detection of conditions that are unusual

job requirements

personnel availability

levels

communications

start-up checks, including:

cameras and monitoring

interlocks

distribution control system

hydraulic systems

pumps and pumping systems

screen inspections

valves

visual and audible warning devices and lights

suppression systems

car positioner

shutdown and isolation checks and procedures

levels, including:

ground

barrel

trunnion

vault

apron

characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations of relevant plant and equipment, including:

emergency stop devices

distribution control system (DCS)

motors/pumps and pumping systems

hydraulic systems and equipment

conveyors and conveyor systems

compressors and compressed air systems

fans and guards

conveyors/conveyor systems

rollers

grates

hoses (air and water)

scrubbers

gauges and meters

feeders

sumps

limit switches

car dumpers

car positioner

techniques for applying basic geological, geographical and survey data

principles and techniques for identifying and responding to relevant hazards and emergencies

site requirements for housekeeping, completing maintenance records and reporting requirements

techniques for coordinating and communicating job activities with others.

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

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment required to conduct conveyor-car high wall mining operations

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:

*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.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Coal mining

Metalliferous mining