ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for operations

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity

1.2. Obtain, interpret and clarify/confirm work requirements before proceeding

1.3. Access, interpret and apply mine environmental data required to complete the allocated work in accordance with site procedures

2. Operate longwall equipment

2.1. Resolve coordination activities with others at the site prior to commencement of, and during the work activity

2.2. Carry out pre-start, start-up, shutdown and isolation procedures in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and/or site procedures

2.3. Advance roof support equipment in sequence, or according to site conditions, to maintain correct face alignment and support roof in accordance with extraction plan

2.4. Operate longwall coal conveying equipment in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and/or site procedures

2.5. Identify/monitor and respond to changing geological conditions in accordance with site procedures

2.6. Recognise and respond to hazardous and emergency situations in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and/or site procedures

2.7. Rectify or report factors adversely affecting production and monitoring systems alarms in accordance with site procedures

3. Carry out operator maintenance

3.1. Carry out longwall face inspections and fault finding in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and/or site requirements

3.2. Carry out routine operational servicing, lubrication and housekeeping tasks in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and/or site procedures and practices

3.3. Carry out minor maintenance to manufacturer's instructions and/or site requirements

3.4. Provide operator support during preparation for, and conduct of, major maintenance tasks in accordance with site requirements

3.5. Process records in accordance with site requirements

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes the ability to carry out the following, as required to conduct longwall face operations:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for longwall face operations

apply operational safety requirements

access, interpret, apply and communicate technical information

interpret survey and geological data

apply diagnostic and fault finding techniques

use hand tools

maintain equipment records

comply with environmental requirements

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to conduct longwall face operations:

site operational safety procedures

longwall operational processes and procedures

longwall face equipment operational procedures

longwall face equipment characteristics and limitations

mine geology and survey information

mine ventilation systems

longwall face equipment maintenance systems and procedures

site environmental requirements and constraints relevant to longwall face equipment

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for conducting longwall face equipment operations

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of longwall face equipment operations

working with others to undertake and complete the longwall face equipment operations that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of longwall face equipment operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.

Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes

consistent achievement of required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to undertake and complete the longwall face operations

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant compliance documentation may include:

legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

OHS policy

code of practice

Australian standards

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Work requirements may be in the form of:

shift briefings

handover details

work orders

Work requirements details may include:

equipment, including defects

cutting height

next cutting sequence

achievement targets

essential survey data

geological conditions

hazards and potential hazards

coordination requirements/issues

Mine environmental, geological and survey data may be in the form of:

ventilation/gas data

deputy reports

geological hazard plan

longitudinal and cross sectional survey plans

Roof support equipment may include:

shield types

control systems

test equipment

Longwall coal conveying equipment may include:

armoured face conveyors

stage loaders

boot ends

control systems

Coordination activities may include those with the shearer operator and the longwall ancillary equipment (pantech) operator

Hazards may include:

high pressure hoses

high gas

faults

adverse mining conditions

face spall

Emergency situations may include:

lack of ventilation

gas inundation (high gas levels)

roof/rib fall

fire

flood

flash/ignition

emergency stop procedures

injury to personnel

explosion

Longwall face inspections may include:

shift inspection

daily inspection

weekly inspection

monthly inspection

3-monthly inspection