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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify and clarify spontaneous combustion hazards and risks
  2. Identify and clarify spontaneous combustion control systems and procedures
  3. Design and develop the spontaneous combustion management plan
  4. Establish the spontaneous combustion management plan
  5. Plan and prepare for the implementation of the spontaneous combustion management plan
  6. Audit and review the spontaneous combustion management plan

Required Skills

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

sitelegislative 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

Evidence Required

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 andor 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 andor oral assessment of the candidates required knowledge to apply in undertaking of the establishment and maintenance of the spontaneous combustion management plan

observed documented andor first hand testimonial evidence of the candidates

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 candidates

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


Range Statement

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