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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare to establish a fresh air base
   • Access, interpret and apply establishing a fresh air base documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant
   • Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements
   • Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues and implement control measures
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities
   • Communicate and coordinate activities with others prior to, during and on completion of the work activity
   • Develop strategies for the establishment of a fresh air base
   • Access, interpret and analyse mine plans, characteristics, data and reports, and locate and assess potential affected zones
   • Confirm affected fresh air zones through atmospheric testing
   • Identify and organise/obtain fresh air base resources
2. Test all fresh air base resources are fit for service
3. Test selected testing and monitoring instruments are fit for service
4. Select and coordinate fresh air base personnel
5. Establish the fresh air base
   • Transport and install allocated fresh air base resources
   • Test site gas levels and ensure they are within specified limits
   • Inspect roof, sides and floor and ensure stability and safety
   • Install monitoring equipment
   • Monitor integrity of atmosphere and identify atmospheric changes
   • Maintain fresh air base in respirable air
   • Ensure escape strategy and equipment availability and coordinate fresh air base escape in emergency conditions
   • Identify and install communication equipment in fresh air base and test for effective, clear and reliable operation
6. Operate from fresh air base
   • Monitor atmosphere and ensure compliance with designated limits, record data at recommended intervals
   • Communicate atmosphere conditions to Incident Control and receive instructions
   • Relocate fresh air base
   • Inform rescue team of fresh air base relocation and reason for decision
   • Control and monitor rescue team activities and movements and ensure team safety
   • Identify available fresh air base equipment and maintain in a state of readiness
   • Brief, confirm, record information and dispatch rescue team
   • Coordinate and control ancillary personnel and operations
7. Maintain communications with teams and Incident Control
8. Carry out handover briefings with oncoming personnel and ensure continuity of operations
9. Plan and prepare to establish a fresh air base
   • Access, interpret and apply establishing a fresh air base documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant
   • Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements
   • Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues and implement control measures
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities
   • Communicate and coordinate activities with others prior to, during and on completion of the work activity
   • Develop strategies for the establishment of a fresh air base
   • Access, interpret and analyse mine plans, characteristics, data and reports, and locate and assess potential affected zones
   • Confirm affected fresh air zones through atmospheric testing
   • Identify and organise/obtain fresh air base resources
   • Test all fresh air base resources are fit for service
   • Test selected testing and monitoring instruments are fit for service
   • Select and coordinate fresh air base personnel
10. Establish the fresh air base
    • Transport and install allocated fresh air base resources
    • Test site gas levels and ensure they are within specified limits
    • Inspect roof, sides and floor and ensure stability and safety
    • Install monitoring equipment
    • Monitor integrity of atmosphere and identify atmospheric changes
    • Maintain fresh air base in respirable air
    • Ensure escape strategy and equipment availability and coordinate fresh air base escape in emergency conditions
    • Identify and install communication equipment in fresh air base and test for effective, clear and reliable operation
11. Operate from fresh air base
    • Monitor atmosphere and ensure compliance with designated limits, record data at recommended intervals
    • Communicate atmosphere conditions to Incident Control and receive instructions
    • Relocate fresh air base
    • Inform rescue team of fresh air base relocation and reason for decision
    • Control and monitor rescue team activities and movements and ensure team safety
    • Identify available fresh air base equipment and maintain in a state of readiness
    • Brief, confirm, record information and dispatch rescue team
    • Coordinate and control ancillary personnel and operations
    • Maintain communications with teams and Incident Control
    • Carry out handover briefings with oncoming personnel and ensure continuity of operations

Performance Evidence

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include that the candidate:

locates and applies relevant documentation, policies and procedures

works effectively with others to undertake and complete the establishment of and operating from a fresh air base that meets all the required outcomes including:

complying with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions

communicating clearly and concisely with others to coordinate work activities

operating emergency communication systems

demonstrates completion of establishing and operating from a fresh air base that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

reading mine plans and navigating in mines

reading maps and interpreting symbols

identify and select fresh air base resources

establishing, relocating and working from a fresh air base

operating atmospheric testing and monitoring instruments

wearing and using escape apparatus

establishing search patterns and marking underground routes

conducting handover briefings with oncoming personnel to ensure continuity of operations

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in establishing and operating from a fresh air base through:

the types and causes of hazards and incidents in underground mines

accessing and interpreting geological and survey data

the effects of hot and humid atmospheres

the location and distribution of caches

the trigger points to initiate emergency response to alarms

the location and purpose of a place of safety

identifying and using guidance systems and markers

site emergency plans

the implications of types of adverse environmental conditions

the location of escape routes and alternative escape routes

the functions of mine ventilation systems

the types and effects of mine gases

the rescue team structure, roles and responsibilities

the role and responsibilities of the Fresh Air Base Controller

the structure, role and responsibilities of Incident Control

the roles of external agencies

the operation and limitations of breathing apparatus

identifying and complying with standby/emergency procedures for fresh air base

ignition sources

types of fire and fire control methods

factors affecting oxygen/air consumption

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