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 codes of practice Employment and Workplace Relations legislation Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation |
Type of ground to be assessed may include: | Decline ore drive/ ore body footwall and quartz margin hanging wall limestone, quartz, shale, sulphide materials major shears or faulting damp blocky areas (lubricated) unravelling blocky ground competent blocky ground bedding angle of rock as presents itself in openings different types of ground support 'bellies' and 'undercuts' different mineral or rock contacts ground with poor support or bearing capabilities washouts |
Information may be obtained from: | cross-shift workers supervisors survey reports training courses site-specific information industry-based electronic information such as stability monitoring systems site-based geotechnical experts |
Communications may include: | hand signals direct communication verbal mine level plans notice boards |
Personal protective equipment may include: | gloves to be worn when barring sleeves to be rolled down safety lanyard if working near edge or in a man-platform |
Support equipment for ground assessment may include: | danger barricades and signage serviceable, effective spot light for high headings jumbo lights lights on loader with platform hoses with tails water services and manifolds torch or stope light for additional lighting in high headings or openings, a loader with man-platform and lights on ancillary equipment |
Potential hazards may be from crushing by rock falls, and may be caused by: | commencing scaling work from unsafe or unsupported ground other people approaching the work area and being allowed to enter un-scaled area rock as it falls or slides down a scaling bar barring down directly above self large spans of unsupported laminated material that falls having insecure footing and a 'bad' retreat not reading shears/ block joints and faults correctly to identify rock that can move not sounding and testing ground where different mineralisation and rock types meet non-bonding of rock types advancing into un-scaled areas without scaling the area first (having a quick look) failing to recognize that dust falling indicates large rocks moving that may fall shattering rock as it falls from the roof or face |
Adverse conditions may include: | fresh rock falls bellies and undercuts cracks and fissures discontinuities floor heave three or more discontinuities or cracks with opposite dips (crack angle running into rock) which may form a wedge, block or slab, which is not bolted or otherwise supported water seeping out of discontinuities that were previously dry stope pillars that are higher than they are wide signs of stress such as material that has flaked off walls and pillars rock bolt plates that have been flattened or are 'doming' in, instead of out (plates that are beginning to turn 'inside out') where the plate is split or the nut has pulled through the plate straps that are under tension bowing out under obvious load evidence that the rock bolt is taking load rock bolts, plates and straps, which have corroded timbers which are splitting, bending or have failing headboards concrete reinforcement that is cracking, flaking or fallen |
Appropriate equipment/techniques to confirm ground stability may include: | varying length scaling bars fitted with centre rubber for rock deflection manual scaling hydro scaling mechanical scaling, for example using an excavator or similar fit-for-purpose machine |