This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct outburst mining operations in coal mining, including completing strata control operations and outburst preoperational checks and monitoring the work environment for outburst risks.

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 outburst mining operations on at least two occasions, including:

completing strata control operations

completing outburst pre-operational checks, including those relating to:

emergency equipment bases

miners

shuttle cars

services

monitoring environment for conditions, including:

stretch marks

cutters

calcite bands

coal changing colour

mylonite

coal softening/hardening

dyke stringers

cindered coal

change in gas make/type.

During the above, the candidate must:

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

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for outburst mining operations, including:

reading, interpreting and applying mine rescue procedures and manager’s rules

applying resuscitation

testing and interpreting gases

reading/identifying geological change

operating communications system

operating breathing apparatus

applying rescue techniques

accessing, reading and interpreting outburst management plan

work effectively with others to undertake and complete outburst mining 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 outburst mining operations

key policies, procedures and documentation required to conduct outburst mining operations

principles and techniques for operating fresh air bases and emergency equipment stations

principles and techniques for monitoring and responding to mine geological conditions, including the following conditions:

stretch marks

cutters

calcite bands

coal changing colour

mylonite

coal softening/hardening

dyke stringers

cindered coal

change in gas make/type

principles and techniques for applying mining methods and sequence, including outburst preoperational checks relating to:

emergency equipment bases

miners

shuttle cars

services

principles and techniques for conducting strata control operations

techniques for accessing, interpreting and applying outburst management plans, including aspects relating to:

ventilation

prediction procedures

mining systems and procedures

sitespecific information

authority to mine

techniques for accessing and applying outburst manning equation

techniques for accessing and applying pre-drilling data

characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations of equipment required for outburst mining operations, including:

special miners (outburst fitted)

filtered air systems

compressed air breathing equipment

air supply to face workers

relevant manual and remote machine operations

techniques for applying geological and survey data, including:

ventilation/gas data

deputy reports

geological hazard plan

survey data

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

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 outburst mining 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