This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct shearer operations in Coal mining

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between States, Territories and Industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to the application of this unit.

vidence 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 shearer operations including:

reading, interpreting, applying and communicating technical information

identifying, addressing and reporting 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

applying hand-eye coordination

interpreting mine survey and geological data

maintaining equipment records

works effectively with others to undertake and complete shearer operations in a way that meets all of the required outcomes including:

organising work activities to meet all task requirements

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

complying with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures

resolving coordination requirements throughout work activities

demonstrates completion of conducting shearer operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

operating shearer to shear and load coal including;

confirming work requirements details such as;

equipment, including any defects

cutting height

next cutting sequence

achievement targets

essential survey data

geological conditions

hazards

potential hazards

coordination requirements/issues, and

completing coordination with others involved, such as;

support personnel and chocks

pantech

armoured face conveyors

breaker stage loader

panel belt

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of conducting shearer operations through:

shearer equipment characteristics and limitations

understanding mine ventilation systems

being prepared for fire/accident/emergency

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 must be assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment; 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.

Coal mining