ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify, analyse and evaluate hazards associated with mining in outburst prone areas

1.1. Identify, evaluate and clarify coal seam characteristics and conditions which could lead to outburst conditions

1.2. Identify, analyse and evaluate hazards and risks relating to outburst

1.3. Identify, analyse and evaluate geological and geotechnical conditions which may contribute to outburst prone conditions

1.4. Identify, analyse and evaluate the effects of outburst on mine atmosphere, personnel, services and infrastructure

1.5. Identify the requirements for personnel, services and infrastructure protection in relation to outburst

2. Identify, analyse and evaluate outburst potential and control options and measures

2.1. Identify, analyse and evaluate the types and advantages/disadvantages of outburst sampling and analytical process options

2.2. Identify, analyse and evaluate geological and physical conditions of the seam and surrounding strata

2.3. Identify, analyse and evaluate the types and advantages/disadvantages of outburst control methods

2.4. Identify, analyse and evaluate the methods, purposes and capabilities of monitoring systems with regard to outburst

2.5. Identify, analyse and evaluate control options to address outburst hazards

2.6. Identify and clarify the scope and impact of gas drainage on outburst prone areas

2.7. Identify training needs

3. Design and develop outburst management systems

3.1. Incorporate drilling systems, including equipment, processes and techniques into the development of the outburst management system

3.2. Incorporate core sampling and related analysis systems, processes and techniques into the development of the outburst management system

3.3. Identify, select and measure the criteria for addressing geological and geotechnical hazards and incorporate into the outburst management plan

3.4. Incorporate personnel safety measures and techniques into the outburst management system

3.5. Incorporate services and infrastructure protection measures into the outburst management system

3.6. Develop monitoring systems, including those for real-time information to minimise the risk of an outburst

3.7. Design and develop controls systems for the outburst management system

4. Establish the outburst management plan

4.1. Develop and establish outburst drilling, sampling, collection, analysis and reporting procedures

4.2. Establish actions and procedures required in response to gas threshold levels

4.3. Establish geological and geotechnical hazard identification and response procedures

4.4. Develop permit to mine procedures in accordance with legislative and site requirements

4.5. Establish personnel safety measures and techniques

4.6. Establish services and infrastructure protection measures to minimise damage caused by outburst

4.7. Establish outburst information recording and reporting procedures

4.8. Establish emergency response and evacuation plans

4.9. Establish training requirements for the outburst management plan

5. Plan and prepare for the implementation of the outburst management plan

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

5.2. Identify, clarify and communicate to all personnel roles and responsibilities, as specified in the outburst management plan

5.3. Identify, forecast, obtain and allocate/schedule resources required for the implementation of the outburst management plan

5.4. Implement the outburst training program

5.5. Encourage, receive, review and, where appropriate, implement suggestions and recommendations for changes to outburst management plan implementation procedures

6. Establish the process to audit the effectiveness of the outburst management plan

6.1. Audit the outburst management system in accordance with legislative and site requirements

6.2. Audit outburst drilling and analytical procedures in accordance with legislative and site requirements

6.3. Audit monitoring systems in accordance with legislative and site requirements

6.4. Audit geological and geotechnical identification, monitoring and response procedures in accordance with legislative and site requirements

6.5. Audit recording plans and procedures in accordance with legislative and site requirements

6.6. Audit outburst training plan for currency, relevance and compliance with the requirements of the outburst management system

6.7. Establish procedures for response to instances of non-compliance or other discrepancies/deficiencies revealed by audit

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 establish and maintain the outburst management plan:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for establishing and maintaining the outburst management plan

access, interpret and apply technical information

access and analyse archival and historical outburst information related to the mine

interpret and apply mathematical and scientific theorems / laws related to outburst

perform outburst planning mathematical calculations

assess the risks and consequences of outburst

develop procedures appropriate to mine operations for management of outburst

access and apply design criteria for outburst management systems

interpret computer spreadsheets and outburst modelling / simulations

interpret outburst data

conduct enquiries / investigations and prepare reports

communicate effectively in the workplace

access data from monitoring equipment

operate hand held monitoring equipment

establish outburst training requirement

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 establish and maintain the outburst management plan:

legislative and site requirements for mining structures, including mine plans, ventilation, gas monitoring, strata support and safety management plans

mine planning and design

the systems of mining, including tunnels, drifts, stone drivage, shaft sinking, pillar extraction, partial extraction, punch mining and fault drivage

stress analysis, including mining induced stress and topography

sedimentology subsistence, water bearing strata, permeability of seam and strata, hydrology, physical property testing, caving characteristics, outburst, gas content and over and underlying strata

systems of work, including bord and pillar, place changing, longwall, highwall, auger mining, pillar extraction, partial extraction and punch mining

initiation techniques

mining structure failure modes

mining and general engineering principles relevant to the behaviour of excavations in rock and coal

audit methodologies

site document control requirements

mine mapping of outburst zones, related geology and features

the impact of differing geological features and conditions on outburst zones, including faults, dykes, intrusions and strata deformities

mine gases; the types and their characteristics, sources, physiological effects and methods of detection

de-gassing; methods of control, including brattice, auxiliary fans, compressed air venturis, sails, hurdles and bleeders

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

portable monitoring equipment, types, uses / limitations

the use of simulation techniques and applications relevant to outburst

use of computer-based systems for real time gas monitoring

mine outburst management plan development requirements and processes

processes and techniques for determining alarms and trigger points / levels

audit and review processes and techniques

emergency response and evacuation procedures

the effects of coal seam characteristics on outburst

methods of control of outburst

outburst indicators and ratios, including temperature changes, mylonite, coal colour changes, strata sound, crushed coal bands, stretch marks, difficulty of constructing ribs, seam gas pressure, changed cutting conditions

risk management procedures

applicable mine rescue procedures

roles and responsibilities in accordance with outburst management plan

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 establishing and maintaining the outburst management plan

implementation of procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient establishment and maintenance of the outburst management plan

the identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required to meet the required outcomes

the identification of viable options and the selection of outburst management techniques that best meet the required outcomes

working with others to undertake and complete the establishment and maintenance of the outburst management plan

consistent successful establishment and maintenance of the outburst 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 to apply in undertaking of the establishment and maintenance of the outburst management plan

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

identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required to meet the required outcomes

identification of viable options and the selection of outburst management techniques that best meet the required outcomes

consistent achievement of required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to undertake and complete the establishment and maintenance of the outburst management plan

provision of clear and timely required support and advice on the establishment and maintenance of the outburst 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

Hazard is defined as: a source of potential harm or a situation with a potential to cause loss (definition from AS/NZS 4360:1999 Risk Management).

Hazards may include:

irrespirable atmosphere

noxious atmospheres

flammable or explosive mixtures

outburst

geological structures

Risk is defined as: the chance of something happening that will have an impact upon objectives. It is measured in terms of consequences and likelihood (definition from AS/NZS 4360:1999 Risk Management).

Coal seam characteristics may include inherent factors such as:

rank

petrology

moisture

particle size

seam gas

pyrites

Or depositional factors such as:

seam thickness

multi seams

seam dip

depth of cover

cleat

friability

intrusions

Geological and geotechnical information includes that related to, but not limited to:

subsidence

roof and floor technical data

gas content and composition

over and underlying strata

water bearing strata

permeability of seam and strata

physical properties

caving characteristics

outburst and stress waves

faults

intrusions and deformities

Mine atmosphere refers to the atmosphere in all areas in the general mine ventilation district and beyond into waste working and goafs in the mine.

Geological and physical conditions of the seam and surrounding strata which may contribute to outburst potential may include:

cutters

changing cleat

coal

colour

free gas into atmosphere

mylonite

faults and intrusions

stress

Outburst mining management plans establish procedures for maintaining a safe environment including:

hazard identification and quantification

risk assessment

authority and responsibility

controls established to managed identified risks

reporting and communication

document control

audit and review

Outburst mining management plan may include:

procedures for mine atmosphere monitoring

reporting requirements

auditing

ventilation systems and usage

pre-drilling techniques

initiation techniques

mine plan

action plans

response plans

emergency procedures

individual group responsibilities

training and education procedure

Action (alarm or 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.

Audit is defined as: "a systematic examination against defined criteria to determine whether activities and related results conform to planned arrangement, and whether these arrangements are implemented effectively and are suitable to achieve the organisation's policy and objectives" (AS/NZS 4804: 2001)

Principles of mine design include:

recovery

reserve optimisation

mining direction

geological structures

ventilation

strata control

mining method

productivity

environmental considerations

access

Standard operating procedures (SOP) are also known as safe working procedures, safe operating procedures and standard working procedures.

Mine site historical information may include:

sedimentology aspects of the mine-site relating to subsidence

outburst

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

mine plans

Mine gases may be seam gases or gases from introduced sources and may include but not be limited to:

methane

carbon dioxide

carbon monoxide

oxides of nitrogen

hydrogen

sulphur dioxide

hydrogen sulphide

hydrocarbons

combinations

Ventilation structures may include:

stoppings

overcasts

regulators

preparation seals

fire doors

bulk heads

goaf seals

final seals

pressure chambers

Geological conditions may include:

faults

dykes

intrusions

strata deformities

existing or induced stress or strain

Mine atmosphere monitoring may include:

continuous monitoring

portable (hand held) monitoring

collection of bag samples

gas chromatography

ventilation measurements from all areas of the mine, including sealed areas and waste workings

Monitoring may include, but is not limited to:

continuous monitoring

portable (hand held) monitoring

core samples

visual observation

geological mapping

audiometry

borehole pressure readings

Defects to mine structures may include:

deterioration of materials

quality of construction

effects of surrounding strata

physical damage

water damage

Services and infrastructure includes:

pipes

valves

hoses

pumps

drainage plant

flame arresters

power supply to bore holes

cleaning equipment

all other plant and equipment

ventilation

Personnel safety measures may include, but are not limited to:

remote control mining

alternative air supply

limitation of numbers

training

physical barriers

emergency equipment

personal protective equipment (PPE)