This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct basic strata control operations in coal mining, including operating basic support equipment and installing supports.

It applies to those working in operational roles. They generally work under supervision to undertake a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures and take some responsibility for the quality of work outcomes.

Licensing, legislative and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories and industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the unit.

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:

conduct basic strata control operations on at least two occasions, including:

carrying out prestart, start-up, park-up, shutdown and secure equipment procedures

operating and maintaining basic support equipment

installing supports, including:

drilling holes

installing roof/rib bolts.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply required documentation, policies and procedures and confirm work activity is compliant

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for basic strata control operations, including:

reading, interpreting and applying technical information

identifying, addressing and reporting environmental issues, potential hazards and risks

applying equipment/manual handling techniques

selecting and using relevant tools and equipment

interpreting and applying mine plans

identifying basic support equipment and materials

work effectively with others to conduct basic strata control operations in a way that meets required outcomes, including:

organising work activities to meet task requirements

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions

complying with reporting requirements and procedures.

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:

key legislation required to conduct basic strata control operations

key policies, procedures and documentation required to conduct basic strata control operations

techniques for interpreting and applying support plans

types, uses and limitations of basic strata control systems, including those for:

bolt types, including:

high tensile bolts

mega bolts

supports, including:

mesh

straps

timber

tin cans

strata control equipment characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations, including the following equipment types:

pneumatic, hydraulic and electric drill/bolting rigs

hand held

machine mounted

miner mounted

principles and techniques for installing supports, including:

point anchor

fully encapsulated

drilling holes

installing roof/rib bolts

techniques for applying basic mine, environmental geological and survey data required for job activities, including:

deputy reports

geological hazard plans

support plans

site environmental requirements and constraints related to basic support operations

safety data sheet compliance requirements related to basic support operations

principles and techniques for identifying and responding to relevant hazards and emergencies

site requirements for housekeeping, completing maintenance records and reporting requirements

basic techniques for communicating job activities with others.

Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment required to conduct basic strata control operations

be conducted in a safe environment; and,

be assessed in the context of this sector's work environment; and,

be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures and processes directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

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 the required 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 have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided. This means the industry subject matter expert must 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:

*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the 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.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Coal mining (underground)