RIIMCU601A - Establish and maintain the spontaneous combustion management plan
Assessor Resource
RIIMCU601A Establish and maintain the spontaneous combustion management plan
Assessment tool
Version 1.0 Issue Date: April 2024
This unit is appropriate for those working in a management or supervisory role at worksites within:
Coal mining
This unit covers the establishment and maintenance of spontaneous combustion management plans in the coal industry. It includes identifying and clarifying spontaneous combustion hazards and risks, identifying and clarifying spontaneous combustion control systems and procedures, designing and developing the Spontaneous Combustion Management Systems, establishing the Spontaneous Combustion Management Plan, planning and preparing for the implementation of the Spontaneous Combustion Management Plan, and auditing and reviewing the Spontaneous Combustion Management Plan. Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Co-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Evidence Required
List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
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 establishing and maintaining the spontaneous combustion management plan
implementation of procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient establishment and maintenance of the spontaneous combustion management plan
the identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required to meet the required outcomes
the identification of viable options and the selection of spontaneous combustion management techniques that best meet the required outcomes
working with other to undertake and complete the establishment and maintenance of the spontaneous combustion management plan
consistent successful establishment and maintenance of the spontaneous combustion management plan
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.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.
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.
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 to apply in undertaking of the establishment and maintenance of the spontaneous combustion management plan
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
identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required to meet the required outcomes
identification of viable options and the selection of spontaneous combustion management techniques that best meet the required outcomes
consistent achievement of required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete the establishment and maintenance of the spontaneous combustion management plan
provision of clear and timely required support and advice on the establishment and maintenance of the spontaneous combustion management plan
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Submission Requirements
List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here
Assessment task 1: [title] Due date:
(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)
Assessment Tasks
Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Required skills
Specific skills are required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes the ability to carry out the following, as required to establish and maintain the spontaneous combustion management plan:
apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for establishing and maintaining the spontaneous combustion management plan
access, interpret and apply:
technical information
site/legislative requirements
records and reports
briefings and handover details
apply the principles of mine design
assess the risks and consequences of spontaneous combustion
develop procedures appropriate to mine operations for management of spontaneous combustion
plan and coordinate work
identify training needs related to spontaneous combustion
Required knowledge
Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to establish and maintain the spontaneous combustion management plan:
causes and effects of spontaneous combustion
the effects of coal seam characteristics on spontaneous combustion
legislative and site requirements and instructions
mine operation procedures
geological data
strata control
mine design relating to spontaneous combustion
spontaneous combustion management requirements
methods of control of spontaneous combustion
principles of ventilation management
gas management
mine and goaf ventilation systems
mine gases
inertisation principles and techniques
underground water management
seal design and sealing procedures
spontaneous combustion indicators and ratios
site environmental monitoring requirements
risk management procedures
site legislative inspection requirements
mine reporting procedures
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, organisational and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Coal seam characteristics may include inherent factors such as:
rank
petrology
moisture
particle size
seam gas
Pyrites
depositional factors such as:
seam thickness
multi seams
seam dip
depth of cover
Mine atmosphere refers to all areas in the general mine ventilation district and beyond into waste working and goafs/gobs in the mine.
Inertisation may be defined as the displacing or reducing of oxygen to a level that will not support combustion. It may be either a natural process using seam gases or a process of introducing incombustible gases.
Trigger level is a generic term used to describe a level determined at the mine site at which action is initiated or a response made.
Principles of mine design may include:
recovery
reserve optimisation
mining direction
geological structures
ventilation
strata control
mining method
productivity
environmental considerations and access
depth of cover
location of adjacent seams
location of adjacent workings
Control methods are processes for the mitigation of spontaneous combustion and may include:
quenching
grouting
smothering
excavating
ventilation control by pressure balancing
sealing
water injection
Hazards may include:
irrespirable atmosphere
noxious atmosphere
flammable or explosive mixtures
Spontaneous combustion management plan may include procedures for:
mine atmosphere monitoring
reporting requirements
auditing
ventilation systems and usage
inertisation techniques
mine plan
action plans
response plans
emergency procedures
individual/group responsibilities
training and education
Audit is defined as: a systematic examination against defined criteria to determine whether activities and related results conform to planned arrangement, and whether these arrangements are implemented effectively and are suitable to achieve the organisation's policy and objectives (AS/NZS 4804: 2001).
Mine gases may include gases such as:
methane
carbon dioxide
hydrogen sulphide
normal atmosphere gases
other gases produced from the processes of heating coal
Ventilation control devices may include:
stoppings
overcasts
regulators
preparation seals
fire doors
bulk heads
goaf seals
final seals
pressure chambers
Geological conditions may include:
faults
dykes
intrusions
strata deformities
Mine atmosphere monitoring may include:
continuous monitoring
portable (hand held) monitoring
collection of bag samples
gas chromatography
differential pressure measurements across stoppings, seals, solid coal (intake to return)
ventilation measurements from all areas of the mine including sealed areas, waste workings
thermographic monitoring
Sensory spontaneous combustion indicators may include:
smoke
haze
sweating
smell
heat
Gaseous spontaneous combustion indicators may include increased production of:
carbon monoxide
carbon dioxide
methane
hydrogen
hydrocarbons
or the use of indicator ratios such as:
CO make
Graham's ratio
Tricketts
Morris' Oxides of Carbon ratio
other ratios as determined suitable
Defects to ventilation structures may include:
deterioration of materials
quality of construction
effects of surrounding strata
physical damage
water damage
Control measures may include:
removal of coal accumulation
modification of transport procedures
procedures for responding to changes in atmosphere
mine atmosphere monitoring systems
procedures relating to the status of the ventilation system
sealing procedures
goaf monitoring systems
goaf sampling systems
spontaneous combustion inspection system
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.
Observation Checklist
Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice
Yes
No
Comments/feedback
Identify the causes and hazards of spontaneous combustion
Identify and clarify coal seam characteristics which affect likelihood of spontaneous combustion
Identify and clarify the effects of changes in the mine atmosphere on the risks of spontaneous combustion
Identify the impact of mine design and ventilation on the risks of spontaneous combustion
Identify and clarify the impact of water accumulation on the risks of spontaneous combustion
Identify spontaneous combustion risks associated with the planned and unplanned coal accumulation
Identify spontaneous combustion risks associated with transport of coal
Identify and evaluate the method, purpose and procedures for installation and use of mine monitoring systems with regard to spontaneous combustion
Identify and evaluate the method, purpose and procedures for mine design and ventilation systems with regard to spontaneous combustion
Identify and evaluate the methods and purposes of natural and induced inertisation in the goaf and waste workings, in relation to spontaneous combustion
Identify and clarify the scope and impact of gas management on spontaneous combustion
Identify and clarify the scope, impact and uses of water management, including water infusion on spontaneous combustion
Identify and clarify seal design requirements in terms of geological structures, construction, location and use of correct materials for the spontaneous combustion risks
Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity
Identify, clarify and apply the principles of mine design with respect to spontaneous combustion
Review the effectiveness of mine design process in contributing to the minimisation of the risk of spontaneous combustion and amend the processes as required
Incorporate ventilation systems and controls to minimise the risk of spontaneous combustion into the development of the management system
Evaluate inertisation options that are applicable to the mine and incorporate into the development of the system
Incorporate mine monitoring systems into the management system to minimise the risk of spontaneous combustion
Develop and incorporate control methods into contingency plans to mitigate the effect of a spontaneous combustion occurrence
Establish and incorporate into the management plan spontaneous combustion management objectives, processes, descriptions, responsibilities and review procedures
Identify, develop and establish hazard control procedures associated with spontaneous combustion
Develop and establish spontaneous combustion management monitoring system installation, operation and maintenance procedures
Develop and establish ventilation control device installation, operation and maintenance procedures
Develop and establish inertisation procedures
Develop and establish spontaneous combustion management systems maintenance procedures
Develop and establish spontaneous combustion system information recording and reporting procedures
Establish and review trigger levels and responses to minimise the hazards of spontaneous combustion
Establish a program including systems and procedures, to satisfy identified spontaneous combustion management training requirements
Incorporate audit, review and updating procedures into the spontaneous combustion management plan
Identify and interpret the legislative and site requirements related to the spontaneous combustion management plan
Access, interpret and clarify the spontaneous combustion management plan
Identify, clarify and communicate to all personnel roles and responsibilities, as specified in the spontaneous combustion management plan
Identify, forecast, obtain and allocate/schedule resources required for the implementation of the spontaneous combustion management plan
Implement the spontaneous combustion training program
Encourage, receive, review and, where appropriate, implement suggestions and recommendations for changes to the spontaneous combustion management implementation procedures
Audit the operation of spontaneous combustion monitoring systems for compliance with legislative and gas management plan standards
Audit mine ventilation control devices for compliance with Audit legislative and mine site requirements
recording systems for compliance with the gas management plan
Audit the maintenance program and procedures for compliance with the spontaneous combustion management plan
Audit spontaneous combustion training program for currency, relevance and compliance with the requirements of spontaneous combustion management plan
Identify and correct non-compliance or other discrepancies/deficiencies revealed by audit
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
RIIMCU601A - Establish and maintain the spontaneous combustion management plan
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Assessment Record Sheet
RIIMCU601A - Establish and maintain the spontaneous combustion management plan
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