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 manage operate and maintain the mine ventilation system

apply legislative organisation and site requirements and procedures for management operation and maintenance the mine ventilation system

access interpret and apply technical information

access and analyse archival and historical ventilation information related to the mine

interpret and apply mathematical and scientific theoremslaws related to ventilation

interpret and apply design criteria for ventilation systems and devices

interpret computer spreadsheets and ventilation modellingsimulations

collect collate and interpret ventilation data

prepare technical procedures relating to ventilation

conduct enquiriesinvestigations and prepare reports

communicate effectively in the workplace

access data from monitoring systems and equipment

operate hand held monitoring equipment

analyse and report on ventilation training needs

apply risk management reports processes and techniques

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 manage operate and maintain the mine ventilation system

legislative and statutory requirements for ventilation including air quality maximum values control and distribution flammable gas limits ventilation fans gas monitoring dust limits and inspections and recordingreporting

methods of mine ventilation and their applicationslimitations including exhaustforce antitropal homotropal flank returns ascensionaldecensional bleeder ZUY systems and other combinations

methods of panel ventilation and their applicationslimitations including homotropal and antitropal and in conjunction with these the use of goaf bleed or back return auxiliary fans coursed ventilation narrow sidewide side machine mounted scrubber systems compressed air venturi and bleeders

impact of mining techniques and mine and panel design on ventilation

inertisation techniques and applications including pressure swing absorption natural oxidation evaporative and pumped liquefied inert gas seam gas exhaust gases Thomlinson boiler or jet engine and water

impact of differing geological features and conditions on ventilation including faults dykes intrusions and strata deformities

impact of coal characteristics and coal seam gradients on mine ventilation design

effects of ventilation on the spontaneous combustion risk

mine gases the types and their characteristics sources physiological effects and methods of detection

dust and other particulate matter the types sources physical and physiological effect and controlmitigation methods

mine fires the types sources of ignition possible effects on the ventilation circuit and preventioncontrolmitigation methods

mine explosions the types ignition sources possible effects on the ventilation circuits and preventioncontrolmitigation methods

pressure changes causes the impacts on the ventilation system responses to include the causes and effects of natural ventilation and recirculation

heat humidity the sources and factors which may impact on mine ventilation and personnel

mine roadways and shafts their design parameters and impact on mine ventilation

mine fans fan laws fan types performance characteristics configurations applications and limitations

ventilation control devices the types purposes design criteria and specifications distributionplacement criteria and limitations

degassing methods of control including brattice auxiliary fans compressed air venturis sails hurdles and bleeders

ventilation networks and individual circuit design criteria specifications and design processes

fixed ventilation monitoring systems types useslimitations design criteria specifications and design processes

portable monitoring equipment types useslimitations design criteria and specifications

the use of computer modelling and simulation techniques and applications relevant to mine ventilation planning their functions capabilities advantages and limitations

computerbased systems for mine environment analysis

ventilation management plan development requirements and processes

ventilation surveys the types frequency and method for conducting including pressurequantitytemperature and gasdust

processes and techniques for determining alarms and trigger pointslevels

audit and review processes and techniques

emergency response and disaster planning process and techniques

analytical and interpretive processes for gas mixtures and flammability including coward triangle Ellicott diagram gas make calculations and post explosion gases

applied ventilation theory including

Atkinsons equation

methods of determining frictional resistance

frictional resistance values for mine airways and ducts

psychrometry and heat

gas laws including Charles Boyle and Dalton

air density calculations

natural ventilation pressures

static velocity total pressures and shock loss

leakage

duct leakage

determination of mine resistance curves

combining system resistance and fan curves

regulator and equivalent orifice calculation

determination of fan operatingduty points

Kirchoffs law

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 management operation and maintenance of the mine ventilation system

implementation of procedures and techniques for the safe effective and efficient management operation and maintenance of the mine ventilation system

the identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required to meet the required outcomes

the identification of viable options for the management operation and maintenance of the mine ventilation system that best meet the required outcomes

working with others to undertake and complete the management operation and maintenance of the mine ventilation system

consistent successful management operation and maintenance of the mine ventilation system

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 should 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 management operation and maintenance of the mine ventilation system

observed documented andor first hand testimonial evidence of the candidates

implementation of appropriate requirements 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 for the management operation and maintenance of the mine ventilation system 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 management operation and maintenance of the mine ventilation system

provision of clear and timely required support and advice on the management operation and maintenance of the mine ventilation system

Guidance information for assessment

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

Relevant compliance documentation may include:

Gases may include:

Spontaneous combustion hazards may include:

Airborne contaminants may include:

Outburst hazards may include:

Ventilation system is:

Impacts of fire, ignition and explosion may include:

Fire may include:

Ignition is:

Explosion is:

Ventilation pressure differentials may include those resulting from:

Temperature and humidity may by impacted by:

Re-circulation causes may include or be related to:

Ventilation control devices may include:

Impact of mine design on the ventilation system may be related to:

Monitoring may include:

Fans may include:

Action (alarm or trigger) is:

Procedures required to support the ventilation management plan may include those for:

Maintenance of the ventilation system may include:

Audit is defined as:

Ventilation training may include:

Alarm systems and action plans may include those for:

Mine atmosphere refers to:

Geological conditions may include:

Coal seam characteristics may include inherent factors such as:

Mining systems may include:

Analytical and interpretive tools may include:

Surveys may include:

Disruptions to ventilation circuits may result from changes in: