Application
This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to apply and monitor the gas drainage management plan 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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for the application and monitoring of the gas drainage management plan | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply gas drainage management plan documentation, and ensure the work activity is compliant 1.2 Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements 1.3 Identify, clarify and communicate roles and responsibilities 1.4 Identify, obtain and allocate resources required for the application of the gas drainage management plan 1.5 Identify individual training needs and prepare training plans 1.6 Encourage, receive, review and, where appropriate, implement suggestions and recommendations for changes to gas drainage management procedures |
2. Apply the gas drainage management procedures | 2.1 Identify and interpret the impact on the mine atmosphere of changes of gas make, composition and concentration 2.2 Identify and apply hazard control procedures associated with gas drainage 2.3 Apply gas monitoring system installation, operation and maintenance procedures 2.4 Apply drainage service extension and recovery procedures 2.5 Apply gas drainage system maintenance requirement procedures 2.6 Apply procedures incorporating methods and practices to minimise potential damage to the gas drainage system 2.7 Apply and monitor action levels established to minimise the hazards of gas drainage 2.8 Apply gas drainage system information recording and reporting procedures 2.9 Contribute to systems audit and review requirements 2.10 Implement training plans |
3. Apply gas drainage management system maintenance procedures | 3.1 Carry out inspections, repair and maintenance activities 3.2 Record, report and review maintenance activities |
Evidence of Performance
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 gas drainage management plan application and monitoring including:
operating hand held monitoring equipment
accessing, interpreting and applying relevant gas drainage data
interpreting geological reports
conducting audit and review processes and techniques
accessing, interpreting and applying technical information related to gas drainage
interpreting geological reports
briefings and handover details
identifying training needs, and preparing and implementing training plans
assessing the risks and consequences of gas drainage
works effectively with others to plan, prepare and conduct the application and monitoring of the gas drainage management plan 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 applying and monitoring the gas drainage management plan that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
application of gas drainage procedures such as:
gas drainage drilling program
gas or geological anomaly detection
mine atmosphere monitoring
stimulation techniques
goaf walls
reporting requirements
auditing
ventilation systems and usage
mine plan
action plans
systems of mining
response plans
emergency procedures
individual and group responsibilities
training and education procedures
application of gas drainage monitoring such as:
continuous monitoring
leakage monitoring (laser beam technology)
portable (hand held)
monitoring
collection of bag samples
pipeflow and pressure measurements
gas chromatography
ventilation measurements from relevant areas
applying gas drainage management training to:
mine workers
trades persons
permanent employees
contractors
mine officials
other special requirements
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the following when applying and monitoring the gas drainage management plan:
legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for:
gas drainage drilling
gas drainage installation
ventilation requirements
return airways gas levels
intake airway gas accumulated levels
gas control and distribution
environmental monitoring and management
local government and mine site inspection and reporting
the methods of gas drainage and their applications/limitations against the mine design, mine and panel ventilation systems, systems of mining current and future mine development
the impact of gas drainage on mining techniques, mine and panel design and production output
the impact of the strata geology, strata control systems and coal seam characteristics on the gas drainage management plan, including:
coal seam gradient
moisture content
friability
the porous features of the coal seam
stresses and intrusions
mining monitoring procedures
identifying drilling options and related equipment and techniques, including:
impacts of intersecting holes and hole design
components/factors to be considered in the gas drainage management plan including:
the effects of the type and quantity of gas in the coal seam
the impacts of accumulation of coal dust after gas drainage has been completed
pressure changes: causes, the impacts on the ventilation system, and the effects on gas drainage
heat/humidity: the sources and factors which may impact on gas drainage and personnel
underground water management principles and systems
equipment, monitoring systems and techniques including:
mine fans: fan laws, fan types, performance characteristics, configurations, applications and limitations in association with the gas drainage management plan
mine and goaf ventilation systems, and ventilation control devices: the types, purposes, design criteria and specifications, distribution/placement criteria and limitations
de-gassing: methods of control – including brattice, auxiliary fans, compressed air venturis, sails, hurdles and bleeders
fixed gas drainage monitoring systems: types, characteristics, uses and limitations
portable monitoring equipment for gas drainage purposes: types, characteristics, uses and limitations
gas drainage surveys: the types, frequency and method for conducting including pressure/quantity/temperature and gas
gas drainage computer modelling and simulation techniques: functions, capabilities, advantages, and limitations for mine environment analysis
ventilation theory, including:
gas laws including Charles and Boyle
natural ventilation pressures
gas make
leakage
Kirchhoff's Law
hazard management processes and techniques
processes and techniques for determining alarms and trigger points/levels
emergency response and evacuation/disaster planning processes and techniques
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors; 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
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:
Industry sector | AQF** Level | Required assessor or industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction | 1 | 1 Year |
2 | 2 Years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying) | 3-6 | 3 Years |
Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction | 3-6 | 5 Years |
Other sectors | Where this unit is being assessed outside of the Resources and Infrastructure Sectors, assessor and/or industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and, where no industry standard is specified, should comply with any relevant regulation. | |
*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
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.
Sectors
Coal mining