This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply and monitor gas management plans in coal mining, including applying alarm and trigger level systems, action plans and gas management devices and methods.

It applies to those working in supervisory roles. They generally perform a broad range of operational activities in their area of responsibility and are responsible for monitoring a safe work environment.

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:

apply and monitor gas management plans on at least two occasions, including:

applying systems for mine gases, including seam gases and gases from introduced sources, including:

methane

carbon dioxide

oxides of nitrogen

hydrogen

carbon monoxide

sulphur dioxide

hydrogen sulphide

hydrocarbons

combinations

oxygen

nitrogen

applying alarm/trigger level systems and action plans, including those for:

gas concentration, make and ratios

spontaneous combustion (physical and gaseous)

combustion indicators

condition monitoring for fans (vibration, temperature, current and failures)

ventilation devices

monitoring hardware

virgin gas content of coal seams

applying gas management devices and methods, including:

gas drainage

infusion

scrubbers

automatic gas detectors

tube bundle systems

de-gassing device on auxiliary fans

gas monitoring systems

inertisation systems

monitoring devices, including:

barographs

tube bundles

real time telemetry

portable (hand held) monitoring devices

bag samples

gas chromatography.

During the above, the candidate must:

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

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for applying and monitoring of gas management plans, including:

interpreting, communicating and applying technical information

operating hand-held monitoring equipment

accessing, evaluating and applying data from monitoring systems and equipment

collecting, collating, evaluating and reporting gas data

applying and interpreting mathematical and scientific theorems/laws relating to gas management

accessing and interpreting archival and historical gas information related to the mine

conducting investigations and preparing reports

identifying training needs for personnel involved

work effectively with others to apply and monitor gas management plans that meet the 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 apply and monitor gas management plans

key procedures and documentation required to apply and monitor gas management plans, including those for:

developing the requirements and processes of gas management plans

applying risk assessment and management processes

monitoring and maintaining ventilation, including:

air quality and quantity

maximum/minimum values

control and distribution

flammable gas limits

ventilation fan

gas monitoring inspections

recording/reporting

identifying and managing environmental issues, hazards and risks

conducting audit and review processes and techniques

impacts of mining techniques and mine and panel layout on panel gas management

impacts of coal characteristics and coal seam gradients on mine gas management

impacts of differing geological features and conditions on gas management, including:

faults, dykes, intrusions and strata deformities

strata geology, including:

coal seam gradient

moisture content

friability

porous features of coal seams

stresses and intrusions

impact on gas drainage

core sampling techniques

in-seam drilling techniques

impacts of intersecting holes and hole design

applications, procedures and limitations of panel gas management, including:

forcing and exhausting

homotropal and antitropal (including conjoined use of goaf bleed and back return)

auxiliary fans

coursed ventilation (narrow side and wide side)

recirculation

machine mounted scrubber systems

ducted systems

compressed air venturis

bleeders

principles, components and limitations of gas management plans, including:

mine gas types, characteristics, sources, physiological effects and detection methods, including:

methane

carbon dioxide

oxides of nitrogen

hydrogen

carbon monoxide

sulphur dioxide

hydrogen sulphide

hydrocarbons

combinations

oxygen

nitrogen

alarm/trigger level system and action plan types, including those for:

gas concentration/make/ratios

spontaneous combustion (physical and gaseous)

combustion indicators

condition monitoring for fans (vibration/temperature/current/failures)

ventilation devices

monitoring hardware

virgin gas content of coal seams

gas management devices and methods, including:

gas drainage

infusion

scrubbers

automatic gas detectors

tube bundle systems

de-gassing device on auxiliary fans

gas monitoring systems

inertisation systems

monitoring devices, including:

barographs

tube bundles

real time telemetry

portable (hand held) monitoring devices

bag samples

gas chromatography

mine fires types, ignition sources and potential impacts on gas management

mine explosions types, ignition sources and potential effects on gas management

gas make characteristics

pressure change causes and potential impacts on gas management

heat and humidity sources and potential impacts on gas management

impact of water on ventilation

outburst indicators

inertisation techniques

general effects of velocity pressure, duct and stopping leakage

types, characteristics, applications, limitations of equipment, monitoring systems and techniques, including:

mine fans

gas control devices, including:

design criteria and specifications

distribution/placement criteria

de-gassing methods of control, including:

brattice

auxiliary fans

compressed air venturis

sails

hurdles

bleeders

fixed gas monitoring systems

portable monitoring equipment

computer-based systems used for mine gas analysis

gas surveys types, frequency and method for conducting, including:

pressure

quantity

temperature

gas

ventilation survey types, frequency and method for conducting, including:

pressure

temperature

gas

alarms and trigger points/levels

mine and goaf ventilation systems, including the following ventilation devices:

stoppings

overcasts

regulators

preparation seals

ventilation doors

bulk heads

goaf seals

final seals

pressure chambers

air locks

sling psychrometers, anemometers and velometers

general uses and applications of ventilation theory

techniques for identifying individual training needs

principles, processes and techniques for emergency responses, evacuations and disaster planning

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:

gas management plan

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)