This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct specialised strata control operations in underground coal mining, including scaling down roofs and ribs, drilling holes for rib and roof bolt installation, and installing and securing supports.

It applies to those working in operational roles. They generally work under minimal supervision to undertake a broad range of tasks in varied work contexts, using some discretion and judgement in selecting equipment, services or contingency measures.

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 specialised strata control operations on at least two occasions in abnormal strata conditions, including:

scaling down roofs and ribs

drilling holes for rib and roof bolt installation

installing and securing supports.

During the above, the candidate must:

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

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

identifying and minimising environmental issues, potential hazards and risks

selecting and using relevant tools and equipment

complying with environmental requirements and constraints

identifying work requirements

applying diagnostic and fault finding techniques

interpreting and applying mine plans

identifying specialised support equipment and materials

operating specialised support equipment

installing specialised supports

work effectively with others to conduct specialised 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

determining coordination requirements throughout work activities.

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 specialised strata control operations

principles and techniques for interpreting and applying support rules/plan of manager

types, uses and limitations of specialised strata control systems, including principles and techniques for:

scaling down roofs and ribs

drilling holes for rib and roof bolt installation

installing and securing supports, including:

cable bolts

flexibolts

mega bolts

polyurethane injections

shotcretes

arching/square sets

cogs (timber, fibre, crib, cans)

spialling/fore poling

characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations of key equipment required to conduct specialised strata control operations

principles and techniques for identifying and monitoring specialised strata hazards, including:

telltales

extensometers

visual or electronic measurements

convergence measurements

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

ventilation/gas data

deputy reports

geological hazard plans

principles and techniques for complying with:

site environmental requirements and constraints related to specialised support operations

safety data sheet (SDS) procedures related to support operations

principles and techniques for identifying and responding to relevant hazards and emergencies, including those related to:

personal injury

gas accumulation

roof, rib and floor conditions

chemical hazards

stored energy

site requirements for housekeeping, completing maintenance records and reporting requirements

techniques for coordinating and 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 specialised 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)