Application
This unit describes the necessary skills and knowledge required to conduct atmospheric monitoring in Coal Mining.
This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory and technical specialist roles.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare and plan for conducting atmospheric monitoring | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply environmental monitoring documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant 1.2 Obtain, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements before proceeding 1.3 Access, interpret and apply mine environmental data to the work 1.4 Identify and obtain required equipment and resources 1.5 Access and apply safety information and procedures prior to, during, and on completion of the work |
2 Carry out surveys and sampling | 2.1 Establish a safe work environment and monitor throughout the work 2.2 Coordinate activities with others prior to commencement of, during, and on completion of the work 2.3 Inspect and test sampling equipment and ensure functionality, safety and compliance 2.4 Identify appropriate survey and sampling techniques and type to be carried out 2.5 Conduct surveys and sampling 2.6 Recognise and respond to hazardous and emergency situations |
3 Conduct primary analysis and respond to results | 3.1 Prepare written records and compare the results of sampling and surveys 3.2 Determine survey and sampling anomalies and action to be taken to rectify 3.3 Report anomalies and actions required to rectify to the appropriate person |
4 Maintain equipment | 4.1 Carry out monitoring equipment inspections and fault finding procedures 4.2 Process records in accordance with site |
Evidence of Performance
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 evidence that the candidate:
locates and applies relevant documentation, policies and procedures to carry out atmospheric monitoring
works effectively with others to undertake and complete effective atmospheric monitoring to meet all required outcomes including:
preparing for and organising work activities to meet all task requirements
communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions
using a range of communication techniques and aids to advise others of work activity and exclusion zones
demonstrates completion of conducting atmospheric monitoring that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
identifying, obtaining and operating equipment and resources for atmospheric testing
inspecting and testing sampling equipment
identifying and applying surveying and sampling techniques
processing written records and reports
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of conducting atmospheric monitoring through:
accessing, interpreting and applying the organisation and site requirements and procedures
survey and sampling methods
identifying the characteristics of samples taken
determining tools and sampling equipment and their use
interpretation of a mine plan
monitoring equipment maintenance systems and procedures
complying with site environmental requirements and constraints related to monitoring
Assessment Conditions
An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,
this unit is best assessed in the context of this sector’s 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 this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills; and,
this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,
assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,
assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,
assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,
where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,
assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:
Industry sector | AQF** Level | Required assessor or Industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction | 1 | 1 Year |
2 | 2 Years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying) | 3-6 | 3 Years |
Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction | 3-6 | 5 Years |
Other sectors | Where this Unit is being assessed outside of the Resources and Infrastructure Sectors assessor and/or Industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no Industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation. | |
*Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within Industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the Unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to Industry by conducting frequent site assessments across various locations.
**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.