This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply and monitor the inrush management plan in coal mining, including applying hazard controls and monitoring systems.

It applies to those working in supervisory or technical specialist 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 inrush management plans on at least two occasions, including:

applying inrush hazard controls, including:

pumping

ventilation

seals

inrush control zones

protective drilling

action levels

applying inrush monitoring systems, including:

continuous and/or periodic monitoring

portable (hand held) monitoring

core samples

visual observation

geological mapping

borehole pressure readings

identifying and controlling inrush hazards in a simulated environment.

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 inrush management plans, including:

interpreting, communicating and applying technical information

operating hand held monitoring equipment

accessing and interpreting data from monitoring systems and equipment

accessing and interpreting design criteria for inrush prevention/management systems and devices

interpreting computer spreadsheets and inrush modelling/simulations

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

conducting enquiries/investigations and preparing audit reports

work effectively with others to apply and monitor inrush 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 inrush management plan

key procedures and documentation required to apply and monitor inrush management plan, including those for:

planning and design of mines and mining structures, including:

mine plans

ventilation

gas monitoring

strata support

safety management plans

developing the requirements and processes of the inrush management plan

applying risk assessment and management processes

identifying and managing environmental issues, hazards and risks

principles, applications and limitations of inrush hazards controls, including:

pumping

ventilation

seals

inrush control zones

protective drilling

action levels

principles, applications and limitations of inrush monitoring systems, including:

continuous and/or periodic monitoring

portable (hand held) monitoring

core samples

visual observation

geological mapping

borehole pressure readings

principles and techniques for identifying and applying mine site historical information, including:

sedimentology aspects of mine sites relating to subsidence

previous inrush

gas content and composition

roof and floor technical data

over and underlying strata

water bearing strata

permeability of seam and strata

hydrology

physical property testing results

caving characteristics

ground stress behaviour

systems of mining and their impact on inrush management, including:

tunnels

drifts

stone drivage

shaft sinking

pillar extraction

partial extraction

punch mining

fault drivage

systems of work and their impact on inrush management, including:

drilling operations

bord and pillar

place change

longwall

highwall

auger mining

pillar extraction

partial extraction

punch mining

factors affecting stability of mining structures, including:

stress analysis, including mining induced stress and topography

sedimentology, including:

subsidence

water bearing strata

permeability of seam and strata

hydrology

hydrogeology

physical property testing

caving characteristics

over and underlying strata

mining structure failure modes

mining and general engineering principles relevant to the behaviour of excavations in rock, including:

ground support systems

geotechnical engineering

excavation engineering

tunnel engineering and shaft sinking

rock mechanics

mine surveying

mining of coal deposits

thermodynamics

impacts of differing geological features and conditions of potential inrush, including:

the effects of coal seam characteristics on inrush

faults, dykes, intrusions and strata deformities

techniques for using monitoring systems, including:

fixed monitoring systems types, uses, limitations, design criteria, specifications and design processes

portable monitoring equipment types, uses and limitations

processes and techniques for determining alarms and trigger points/levels

methods of control of inrush

inrush control zones

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:

inrush 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)