ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify and explain the fundamentals of spontaneous combustion hazards and risks

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

1.2. Identify the fundamentals of spontaneous combustion.

1.3. Identify and explain the effects of mine gases and barometric variations on the risks of spontaneous combustion

1.4. Identify and explain the hazards associated with goaf and waste working atmosphere

1.5. Identify the impact of ventilation and ventilation structures on the risks of spontaneous combustion

1.6. Identify spontaneous combustion risks associated with the coal stowage

2. Identify and explain the fundamentals of spontaneous combustion control systems and procedures

2.1. Identify the principles of ventilation design and related procedures and their impact on spontaneous combustion management

2.2. Identify the methods and purposes of natural and induced inertisation in the goaf and waste workings, in relation to spontaneous combustion

2.3. Identify the method, purpose, operation and procedures for installation of mine atmosphere monitoring systems, with regards to spontaneous combustion

3. Identify and apply resources to the spontaneous combustion management plan

3.1. Identify, access, interpret and apply relevant legislative requirements and site safety management systems including statutory inspection requirements related to spontaneous combustion

3.2. Identify, interpret and apply procedures and responsibilities in the spontaneous combustion management plan

3.3. Monitor the actions of the work group to ensure the application of required spontaneous combustion procedures are complied with

3.4. Identify and apply appropriate response procedures in situations where trigger levels are reached

3.5. Participate in the development, review and enhancement of spontaneous combustion procedures as per site requirements

4. Identify and respond to spontaneous combustion indicators

4.1. Identify, monitor, investigate, respond and report on spontaneous combustion indicators

4.2. Respond to indicators in accordance with site procedures

5. Apply mine atmosphere monitoring systems and procedures

5.1. Conduct mine atmosphere monitoring, interpret the results and prepare and process reports in accordance with site procedures

5.2. Identify and report defects to monitoring systems and, where appropriate, affect repairs in accordance with site procedures

6. Apply control measures

6.1. Identify, investigate and report changes in ventilation which may affect spontaneous combustion

6.2. Report incidents of connection to other workings and take immediate action according to site procedures

6.3. Select, apply and report on the appropriate action to remedy impact of water accumulation on the ventilation system

6.4. Identify, rectify and report defects to ventilation structures and seals

6.5. Identify hazards associated with the coal accumulations and transport systems and apply action to minimise the spontaneous combustion risks

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 apply the spontaneous combustion management plan:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for the application of the spontaneous combustion management plan

access, interpret, apply:

technical information

site/legislative requirements

records and reports

briefing and handover details

plan and coordinate work

interpret and respond to spontaneous combustion indicators and ratios

conduct inspections related to spontaneous combustion

interpret and record data related to spontaneous combustion

identify workgroup training needs related to spontaneous combustion management plans

identify and investigate incidents and potential hazards associated with spontaneous combustion

apply spontaneous combustion control procedures or methods

conduct mine atmosphere monitoring

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 apply the spontaneous combustion management plan:

spontaneous combustion management plan requirements

fundamental knowledge of spontaneous combustion causes and hazards

fundamental knowledge of methods of control of spontaneous combustion

mine gases

legislative, site requirements and instructions

spontaneous combustion indicators and trigger points

fundamentals of mine design and plan relating to spontaneous combustion

basic knowledge of coal seam characteristics, depositional factors and geological conditions on spontaneous combustion

basic types of environmental monitoring systems

mine and goaf ventilation systems

sealing procedures

hazard assessment procedures

site inspection requirements

site reporting procedures

training systems

emergency response and evacuation planning processes and techniques

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 the application of the spontaneous combustion management plan

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the application of the spontaneous combustion management plan

working with others to plan, prepare and conduct the application of the spontaneous combustion management plan

evidence of the consistent successful application of the spontaneous combustion management plan

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 application of the spontaneous combustion management plan

provision of clear and timely instruction and supervision by the individual of those involved in the conduct of the application of the spontaneous combustion management plan

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

Australian standards

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Interpret is defined as: the understanding needed by the person within their job role

Fundamentals of spontaneous combustion may include:

coal seam characteristics such as:

rank

moisture content

particle size

seam gas

pyrites

depositional factors such as:

seam thickness

multi seams

seam dip

depth of cover

geological conditions may include:

faults

dykes

intrusions

strata deformities

Mine gases may include seam gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide in addition to normal atmosphere gases or other gases,, which are produced from processes such as heating, goafs or released from strata:

Hazards may include:

irrespirable atmosphere

noxious atmosphere

flammable atmosphere

explosive mixtures

Inertisation may be defined as the displacing or reducing of oxygen to a level that will not support combustion. It may be either a natural process using seam gases or a process of introducing incombustible gases.

CO make

Graham's ratio

other ratios as determined suitable

Mine atmosphere monitoring may include:

continuous monitoring

portable (hand) monitoring

collection of bag samples

gas chromatography

ventilation measurements from all areas of the mine including sealed areas

waste workings monitoring

Spontaneous combustion management plan may include procedures for:

mine atmosphere monitoring

reporting requirements

auditing

ventilation systems and usage

inertisation techniques

mine plan

action plans

response plans

emergency procedures

individual group responsibilities

training and education procedures

Trigger level is a generic term used to describe a level determined at the mine site at which action is initiated or a response made.

Spontaneous combustion indicators may include:

smoke

haze

sweating

smell

heat

production of carbon monoxide

hydrogen

carbon dioxide

methane

higher hydrocarbons

Or use of indicator ratios such as:

CO make

Graham's ratio

other ratios included in the site safety management system

Ventilation structures and seals may include:

stoppings

overcasts

regulators

preparation seals / fire doors

bulkheads

goaf seals

final seals

pressure chambers

Defects to ventilation structures may include:

deterioration of materials

quality of construction

effects of surrounding strata

physical damage

water damage

Reports may be:

verbal

written reports

electronic information

other work instructions

Transport systems may include:

bins

conveyors

transfer points

bunkers