Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement the ground control management plans in surface operations in the resources and infrastructure industries.
It applies to those working in management or technical specialist roles. They generally work in teams and take responsibility for the outcomes of others.
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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare to implement the ground control management plan | 1.1 Obtain, interpret and confirm work requirements 1.2 Access, interpret and apply documentation required to implement the ground control management plan 1.3 Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities 1.4 Obtain and interpret historical and current ground control data to assess ground conditions 1.5 Identify and address potential hazards and environmental factors and prepare to implement control measures 1.6 Identify, obtain and allocate resources required for the implementation of the ground control management plan 1.7 Communicate the ground control management plan to relevant personnel 1.8 Identify training needs and develop training plans 1.9 Obtain and interpret emergency procedures and prepare to respond to emergencies according to workplace procedures |
2. Identify and evaluate the geotechnical design and control measures | 2.1 Obtain and interpret site geotechnical design to identify appropriate control measures 2.2 Evaluate pit development plan and extraction method for compliance with geotechnical design 2.3 Evaluate pit operations to confirm appropriate measures to maintain ground control and slope stability 2.4 Evaluate stockpile and dump operations to confirm appropriate measures to maintain ground control and slope stability 2.5 Evaluate surface and ground water control systems to confirm appropriate measures to maintain ground control and slope stability 2.6 Develop, in consultation, workplace procedures and practices for the application of the ground control management plan 2.7 Define, allocate and document the responsibilities for implementing the ground control management plan |
3. Implement and monitor the ground control management plan | 3.1 Implement and monitor approved extraction method according to workplace procedures and approved geotechnical design 3.2 Implement monitoring systems of ground movement and slope stability systems to warn relevant personnel, control operations and record events 3.3 Monitor hazards and risks and the implementation of control measures according to site requirements 3.4 Record and report on activities, issues and corrective actions according to site requirements 3.5 Apply emergency response and evacuation plans and procedures as required |
4. Investigate and respond to adverse ground conditions | 4.1 Review geotechnical inspection reports to determine trends and identify adverse ground conditions 4.2 Inspect adverse work area to confirm inspection findings and suitability of controls 4.3 Conduct risk assessment with relevant team members to determine safe course of action including appropriate controls 4.4 Engage external consultants as required to assist with the risk assessment and control plan 4.5 Implement and monitor agreed controls 4.6 Update site procedure documents to reflect changed work practices 4.7 Communicate geotechnical risks and control measures to relevant personnel |
5. Audit and review the ground control management review | 5.1 Investigate and review the performance of the ground control management plan 5.2 Contribute to audit and review requirements for the ground control management plan 5.3 Submit recommendations to improve the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of the ground control management plan 5.4 Investigate and audit the emergency response and evacuation plans and procedures |
Evidence of Performance
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 the ground control management plan on at least two occasions, including:
conducting geotechnical inspection of work areas
monitoring and assessing the impact of operations, including blasting, on ground stability and making adjustments as required
identifying and evaluating hazards and risks associated with the ground controls and placement of plant and equipment
investigating and reviewing the performance of the ground control management plan
developing workplace procedures
identifying training needs of team members and preparing a training plan
assessing outcomes to make recommendations and writing reports.
During the above, the candidate must:
locates and applies relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures and confirm that the work activity is compliant
implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for implementing the ground control management plan, including:
identifying hazards and risks, and implementing control measures
accessing and analysing archival and historical information related to ground control and batter stability issues
interpreting and applying pit and slope design criteria to minimise hazards and risk
conducting audits
interpreting and applying geological and geotechnical information to the ground control management plan
work with others to implement the ground management plan.
Evidence of Knowledge
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, policies, procedures and documentation required implement the ground management plan
principles of geology, including:
rock types
geological processes
geological structures
rock mass properties
hydrogeological aspects
common survey and slope design terminology
the geotechnical assessment/design process, including:
field data collection
geotechnical models
geotechnical domains
types of analysis
factor of safety
operating characteristics, limitations and safe placement of plant equipment, including:
exclusion zones
catch troughs
catch bunds
cab placement
safe load and dump methods
types and mechanisms of ground instability, including:
blocky conditions
wedge/plane/toppling
adverse jointing
fault and shear orientation
factors impacting on slope stability, including:
material properties
fault zones
blasting
pit wall profile
surface and ground water
changes in ground temperature
presence of underground workings
location and loading of infrastructure
principles and techniques for controlling ground instability, including:
minimising blast damage
excavation control and scaling
waste dump and stockpile formation methodology
groundwater and surface water control
remedial and slope stabilisation methods
principles and techniques for inspection and monitoring, including:
role of the geotechnical engineer
types of inspection
visual warning signs
types and purpose of monitoring instrumentation
Trigger Action Response Plans
understanding the interpretation of monitoring data
determining when external geotechnical advice is required
planning and design criteria and techniques for constructing and maintaining, including:
waste dumps
stockpiles
drainage systems
haul roads
earth bunds
principles and techniques for applying risk management processes
principles and techniques for investigating and reviewing inspection, communication and reporting methodologies
principles and techniques for providing leadership and direction to teams
principles and techniques for conducting training needs assessments and preparing training plans.
Assessment Conditions
Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:
include access to:
personal and protective equipment
equipment required to implement the ground control management plan
relevant documentation
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.
This unit 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:
Industry sector | AQF indicator level*** | Required assessor or industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Infrastructure | 1 | 1 year |
2 | 2 years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying), Metalliferous Mining and Civil Infrastructure | 3-6 | 3 years |
Other sectors | Where this unit is being assessed outside of the resources and infrastructure sectors assessor and/or industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation. |
*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the RII 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
Foundation Skills
Numeracy | Collects, organises and analyses data using and draws conclusions from trends |
Oral communication | Presents workplace procedures and technical instructions to a group using sector-specific vocabulary |
Reading | Identifies and interprets complex information from workplace procedures, documentation, regulations, and team member training needs assessments |
Writing | Produces and completes workplace reports, including risk management matrices, using appropriate vocabulary, grammatical structures and conventions |
Sectors
Coal mining
Extractive
Metalliferous mining