This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to respond to mine incidents in Metalliferous mining

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

No licensing, legislation or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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

implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of responding to mine incidents including:

reporting on hazardous situations

interpreting results from mine gas testing instruments

selecting extrication methods

reading and interpreting mine plan symbols

assessing situation and making decisions

assessing and managing risks

managing personal fitness and readiness

using standard and specialised equipment

works effectively with others to undertake and complete response to mine incidents 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

demonstrates completion of response to mine incidents that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

operating gas testing and monitoring instruments

wearing and using escape apparatus

operating in breathing apparatus

operating extrication equipment

taking and analysing gas samples

developing and applying contingency plans

reading mine plans and navigating in mines

selecting and using personal protective equipment

taking air and relative humidity measurements, ventilation readings and temperatures

identifying and using of air and gas monitoring systems

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in responding to mine incidents through:

the types and causes of hazards and mine incidents

geological and survey data

hot and humid atmospheres

location and distribution of caches

trigger points to initiate emergency response to alarms

location and purpose of a place of safety

guidance systems and markers

site emergency plans

types of adverse environmental conditions

escape routes and alternative escape routes

mine ventilation systems

the types and effects of mine gases

operation and limitations of breathing apparatus

standby/emergency procedures for incident control

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:

*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 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.

Metalliferous mining