This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement strata management plans in coal mining. It includes implementing and reviewing stable structure controls, strata monitoring and testing systems and systems maintenance programs and procedures.

This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory or technical specialist roles. They generally monitor 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:

implement strata management plans on at least two occasions, including:

identifying viable options and selecting strata management plan elements that best meet required outcomes

conducting audits and preparing reports.

During the above, the candidate must:

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

apply procedures and techniques for implementing strata management plans, including:

accessing, interpreting and applying technical information relating to strata management

interpreting and applying design criteria

identifying and evaluating geological and geotechnical information

accessing and analysing historical strata management information related to mine and failure mode of mine structures

work with others to implement strata management plans in a manner that meets required outcomes, including:

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions and convey work progress

preparing operating procedures relating to strata management

identifying the relevant information and scope of the work necessary to meet required outcomes.

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 implement strata management plans

key procedures and documentation required to implement strata management plans, including:

strata management plan

mine site historical information

mine site geological and hydrological information

types, characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations of strata monitoring and testing devices and systems, including:

convergence indicators

telltales

extensometer

load cells

stress cells

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

tunnels

drifts

stone drivage

shaft sinking

pillar extraction

partial extraction

punch mining

longwall mining (including installation and recovery)

use of breaker line support and fault drivage

strata support and monitoring systems

factors affecting stability of mining structures, including:

geology and strata gas characteristics

lithology

sedimentology, including:

subsidence

water bearing strata

permeability of seam and strata

hydrology

rock property testing

caving characteristics

windblast

outburst

gas content

over and underlying strata

mining structure failure modes

stress, including:

mining induced stress

vertical and horizontal stress

tectonics

topographical features

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

bord and pillar

place changing

longwall

highwall

auger mining

pillar extraction

partial extraction

use of breaker line support

punch mining

mining engineering principles, including:

exploration techniques

audit methodologies

limitations and controls

techniques for identifying individual training needs and auditing strata management training plans

principles, processes and techniques for emergency response, evacuation and disaster planning

techniques for leading and coordinating work activities with others.

Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:

include access to:

strata 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)