This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to apply spontaneous combustion management measures in Coal mining.

This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory or technical specialist 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 application of the unit.

Evidence 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 legislation, documentation, policies and procedures

implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the application of spontaneous combustion management measures including:

accessing, interpreting and applying general information on spontaneous combustion

recognising and reporting incidents and potential hazards associated with spontaneous combustion

identifying mine ventilation structures

works effectively with others to plan, prepare and conduct the application of spontaneous combustion management measures 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 spontaneous combustion management measures that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

application of mine atmosphere monitoring systems such as;

continuous monitoring

portable (hand held) monitoring

collection of bag samples

gas chromatography

ventilation measurements

status monitoring, including:

physical indications of spontaneous combustion

gaseous indications of spontaneous combustion

changes in ventilation conditions

defective seals

application of control measures for the elimination or minimisation of spontaneous combustion risks, such as:

grouting

digging-out

sealing

water infusion

inertisation

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of applying spontaneous combustion management measures through:

accessing, interpreting and applying legislative, organization and site requirements and procedures for:

work health and safety

environmental issues

hazard and risk assessment

mine operational activities

housekeeping

identifying and managing mine gases

spontaneous combustion causes and hazards

applying spontaneous combustion management plan requirements

mine ventilation structures

reading, interpreting and applying geological data

addressing and reporting environmental issues, potential hazards and risks

applying gas monitoring systems

spontaneous combustion indicators

reporting measures with respect to spontaneous combustion

equipment characteristics, capabilities and limitations

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