The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for providing aided rescue to endangered personnel

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of aided rescue of endangered personnel

working with others to undertake and complete the aided rescue of endangered personnel that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of procedures for providing aided rescue to endangered personnel that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.

Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes

consistently achieving the required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to provide aided rescue to endangered personnel

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to provide aided rescue to endangered personnel:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

obtain and interpret incident information and data

apply risk management processes and techniques

inspect, put on and use breathing apparatus

interpret and respond to adverse environmental conditions

read mine plans and orientate and navigate in mine

use communication systems

identify alternative escape routes

access and use self escape equipment

work as a team member

communicate effectively

observe and report mine conditions

access, interpret and apply data from monitoring systems and equipment

operate hand held monitoring equipment

observe hygiene requirements

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to provide aided rescue to endangered personnel:

legislative and site requirements for rescue operations

risk management and assessment

types and causes of incidents in underground mines

key indicators of mine incidents

relevant geological and survey data

effects of hot and humid atmospheres

location and distribution of caches

trigger points to initiate emergency response to alarms

barricades and barricading methods

location and purpose of a place of safety

orientation and navigation in mines

evacuation resources and equipment

guidance systems and markers

mine emergency plans

implications of lack of visibility

escape routes and alternative escape routes

types of adverse environmental conditions such as smoke, visibility, dust, water

basic ventilation systems

types and effects of mine gases

emotional conditions experienced by mine workers

emergency First Aid

travel speeds

signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses

isolation of mine energy sources

monitoring systems

communication systems

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant compliance documentation

may include:

legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian standards

code of practice

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Incidents may include:

major accident or fatality

underground explosion or fire

ignition

rock burst/outburst

spontaneous combustion

environmental incidents

Causes of incidents may include:

explosion

fire

roof fall

strata

inrush

irrespirable atmosphere

Hazchem

explosives

vehicle accidents

wall collapse

wind blast

rupture to gas drainage lines

disruption to ventilation

hot and humid atmosphere

Communications may include:

radio

telephone

telemetry

verbal

written

computers

runners

DAC

PED

signals

Irrespirable atmosphere is considered:

an atmosphere which is unsafe for a person to breathe as a result of either oxygen depletion or the presence of:

toxic fumes

gases

contaminants

Rescue resources and equipment may include:

vehicles/ transport

competent personnel

breathing equipment

safety/emergency equipment

atmosphere monitoring equipment

hydraulic and pneumatic rescue equipment

rope equipment

mining equipment

incident-specific equipment such as body bags

specialised equipment from external sources

monitoring and analysis equipment

refuge/change-over stations

inertisation plant

emergency communication equipment

First Aid/resuscitation equipment

Physical conditions of a mineworker may include:

heat-related illness

injuries from slips/trips/falls

respiratory problems

physical exhaustion

nausea

gas poisoning

excessive oxygen use

Emotional conditions of a mineworker may include:

panic

fright

stress

distress

claustrophobia

anxiety

indecision

impaired judgement

Mine environmental conditions may include:

temperature

humidity

noise

gas levels

dust and air-borne contaminants

condition of roof and sides

water/mud

drive conditions

reduced visibility

Self rescuer/breathing apparatus may include:

self-contained closed oxygen breathing apparatus, including chemically produced oxygen

self-contained open circuit compressed air breathing apparatus

self-contained oxygen based self rescuer