Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish extrication systems and stabilise and transport to safety casualties involved in underground mining incidents.
It applies to those who work in operational roles. They generally work in teams and have some responsibility for the outcomes of others.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare to extricate casualty from an underground mine | 1.1Access, interpret and apply documentation required for extricating casualties from underground mines 1.2 Obtain, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements 1.3 Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues and implement control measures 1.4 Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities 1.5 Interpret incident information and determine location, type of incident and personnel involved and record on the mine plan 1.6 Communicate and coordinate activities with others 1.7 Navigate to incident site via the identified route or alternate route 1.8 Identify and assess the type and extent of injuries to entrapped personnel 1.9 Assess the incident and determine the appropriate method of extricating casualties 1.10 Determine extrication procedures and strategy and develop action plan |
2. Establish extrication system and extricate casualty | 2.1 Identify, locate and set up required extrication equipment 2.2 Test extrication system and equipment are fit for use before commencement of extrication operations 2.3 Use equipment and apply extrication techniques to extricate casualties 2.4 Maintain communication with other team members and Incident Control on condition of casualties and status of extrication operations |
3. Stabilise casualty | 3.1 Perform primary and secondary assessments and check casualty’s condition 3.2 Identify and apply life support requirements 3.3 Monitor casualty continually and record vital signs 3.4 Communicate casualty information to Incident Control and/or medical personnel |
4. Transport casualty to a place of safety | 4.1 Evaluate need for, and equip casualties with, escape apparatus 4.2 Assess availability and adequacy of transport resources and obtain additional assistance and resources if required 4.3 Prepare stretcher patients and other casualties for transport to a place of safety 4.4 Monitor casualties continually and record vital signs during transport 4.5 Apply techniques and procedures to transport casualties to a place of safety 4.6 Hand over casualties to medical personnel 4.7 Communicate status of incident site, casualties, personnel and equipment to Incident Control |
5. Restore and refurbish equipment | 5.1 Inspect all equipment used for any damage and record details according to workplace policies and procedures 5.2 Repair or replace defective equipment 5.3 Tag, record and quarantine unusable equipment 5.4 Return the rescue system and equipment to operational readiness 5.5 Process required written records and reports |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:
extricate casualties from underground incidents in a manner that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on at least two occasions, including:
developing and applying contingency plans
reading mine plans and navigating in mines
reading maps and interpreting symbols
locating extrication equipment on mine site
locating and using ladders and other devices
operating gas testing and monitoring instruments
wearing and using escape apparatus
operating extrication equipment locating and extricating casualties
assessing and reporting on incidents and injuries.
During the above, the candidate must:
locate and apply relevant documentation, policies and procedures
work effectively with others to undertake and complete the extrication of casualties from underground incidents that meet 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
operating emergency communications systems.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:
types and causes of hazards and incidents in underground mines
effects of 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 system and marker uses
key components and requirements of site emergency plans
types of adverse environmental conditions
location of escape routes and alternative escape routes
functions of mine ventilation systems
types and effects of mine gases
rescue team structure, roles and responsibilities
operation and limitations of breathing apparatus
standby/emergency procedures for incident control
ground support types and construction
search procedures and techniques
roles of key external agencies.
Assessment Conditions
Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below.
The assessment must:
include access to:
site plans
breathing apparatus
personal protective equipment required for the activities described in the performance evidence
be conducted in a safe environment
be assessed in context of this sector's work environment
be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed
confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances.
Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated work 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.
Assessor Requirements
Assessors must be able to clearly demonstrate current and relevant industry knowledge and experience to satisfy the mandatory regulatory standards as set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/Australian Quality Training Framework mandatory requirements for assessors current at the time of assessment and any relevant licensing and certification requirements. This includes:
vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed
current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided
current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment
formal relevant qualifications in training and assessment
having knowledge of and/or experience using the latest techniques and processes
possessing a high level of RII training product knowledge
having an understanding and knowledge of legislation and regulations relevant to the industry and to employment and workplaces
demonstrating the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence outlined in this unit of competency, and
the minimum years of current** work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below in an industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit.
It is also acceptable for the appropriately qualified assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together and for the industry expert to be involved in the assessment judgement. The industry expert must hold the relevant vocational competencies and have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided and must work alongside a trainer and/or assessor to conduct the assessment. This means the industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit), and must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed:
Industry sector | AQF indicator level*** | Required assessor or industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Infrastructure | 1 | 1 year |
2 | 2 years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying), Metalliferous Mining and Civil Infrastructure | 3-6 | 3 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. | |
*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the RII Companion Volume Implementation Guide located on VETNet.
**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 a minimum number of site assessments as determined by the relevant industry sector, across various locations.
*** While a unit of competency does not have an AQF level, where a unit is being delivered outside of a qualification the first numeric character in the unit code should be considered as the AQF indicator level for assessment purposes.
Foundation Skills
Writing | Prepares specific information that complies with a range of regulatory requirements, using sector-specific terminology |
Oral communication | Conveys information and requirements clearly, and listens carefully |
Reading | Identifies and interprets relevant information from workplace procedures, documentation, legislation and regulations |