This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish and maintain gas management systems in coal mining, including design, development, audit and review processes and procedures.

It applies to those working in management roles or technical specialist roles. They generally perform complex, nonroutine tasks involving strategic and planning activities and are responsible for establishing and maintaining operational systems and plans.

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:

establish and maintain gas management systems on at least two occasions, including:

establishing gas management system objectives, descriptions and responsibilities

identifying viable options and selecting the gas management system elements that best meet required outcomes

establishing gas training requirements, programs, systems and procedures

conducting enquiries/investigations and preparing reports.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures

implement procedures and techniques for establishing and maintaining gas management systems, including:

applying risk management processes and techniques

collecting, collating and evaluating gas data

accessing, evaluating and applying data from monitoring systems and equipment

performing gas planning mathematical calculations

interpreting computer spreadsheets and gas modelling/simulations

accessing, evaluating and applying design criteria for gas management

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

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

work effectively with others to establish and maintain gas management systems in a manner that meets required outcomes, including:

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

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

establishing technical procedures relating to gas management.

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 establish and maintain gas management systems

key procedures and documentation required to establish and maintain gas management systems

principles of ventilation management, including mine and goaf ventilation systems

methods of mine ventilation and their applications and limitations

methods of panel gas management and their applications and limitations

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

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

principles and components of gas management systems, including:

effects of re-circulation

gas management drilling techniques

gas control options and management methods, including gas drainage

geological data

mathematical and scientific theorems/laws relating to gas management

audit and review processes and techniques

equipment, monitoring systems and techniques used in gas management, including:

computer modelling and simulation techniques

computerbased systems for mine gas analysis

uses and calculations of specific gas emissions

gas surveys types, frequency and methods

processes for determining alarms and trigger points/levels

techniques for identifying individual training needs and reviewing gas management training plans

processes and techniques for auditing and reviewing gas management systems

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:

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)