This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to inspect small mines operations in Metalliferous Mining (Small Mines).

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and Industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies applicable legislation, documentation, policies and procedures

implements requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of inspecting small mine operations including:

reading, explaining and applying:

technical information

site/legislative requirements

job priorities

coordinating the inspection process

recognising potential hazards and applying corrective measures according to site/legislative procedures

investigating and reporting on incidents

preparing technical reports

providing feedback

works effectively with others to undertake and complete the inspection of small mine operations that meets all of the required outcomes including:

communicating clearly and concisely with others

interpreting and confirming information

demonstrates completion of inspecting small mines operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

responding immediately to instances of non-compliance to regulatory or other operational practices which endanger personnel

discussing inspection findings with responsible parties and initiating a response to restore operational safety and site compliance

recording results of inspections and processing records in accordance with legislative requirements and local mine procedures

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in inspecting small mines operations through:

accessing, interpreting and applying legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for:

operation of site machinery and equipment

conducting inspections

operational and maintenance

risk management

accessing, interpreting and applying geological, geographical and survey data

working within extractive operations

accessing, interpreting and applying equipment characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations

An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,

this unit must be assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment; and,

this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,

assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,

assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,

where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,

assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:

*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 frequent site assessments across various locations.

**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.

Metalliferous Mining (Small Mines)