ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for operations

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

1.2. Confirm work requirements before proceeding

1.3. Select relevant equipment and survey mine workings to follow/verify planned operation

1.4. Access and apply safety information and procedures throughout the work

1.5. Inspect shaft and roof stability

1.6. Establish communication system, methods and protocols with other personnel

2. Operate machinery and equipment to extract materials

2.1. Coordinate mining activities with others at the site prior to commencement of, and during, the work activity

2.2. Carry out machinery and equipment pre-start, start-up, shutdown and isolation procedures in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and recommended mining practices

2.3. Operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and recommended mining practices to extract and load materials

2.4. Operate/manoeuvre machinery to extraction location according to manufacturer's instructions and recommended machinery operation practices

2.5. Cut drives and faces to planned sequence and site conditions, maintaining operational parameters in accordance with the mine work plan

2.6. Identify and rectify factors adversely affecting production and monitoring systems alarms in accordance with site procedures

2.7. Identify/monitor and respond to changing geological conditions to maintain safety and production levels

2.8. Recognise and respond to hazardous and emergency situations

3. Carry out machinery and equipment maintenance

3.1. Carry out machinery and equipment inspections and fault finding in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and site requirements

3.2. Carry out routine operational servicing, lubrication and housekeeping tasks in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures and practices

3.3. Carry out minor maintenance to manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures and practices

3.4. Process records in accordance with site and legislative requirements

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 conduct materials extraction operations underground:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for the conduct of underground materials extraction operations

apply operational safety requirements

communicate with other personnel

interpret manufacturer's /supplier's manuals

access, interpret, apply and communicate technical information

interpret survey and geological data

apply diagnostic and fault finding techniques

use hand and power tools

maintain equipment records

comply with environmental requirements

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 conduct materials extraction operations underground:

operational safety requirements and procedures

machinery and equipment characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations

machinery and equipment operational procedures

mine geology and survey data associated with ore-bearing ground

ventilation systems

machinery and equipment maintenance requirements and procedures

site environmental requirements and constraints relevant to machinery and equipment operations

pillar configuration, design and layout

assessment of mine ground conditions

characteristics and properties of roofs and walls

emergency procedures

pillar extraction methods and safety requirements

maintenance procedures

hazardous materials handling

environmental requirements

hoisting systems, equipment and legislative requirements

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 the conduct of underground materials extraction operations

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of underground materials extraction operations

working with others to undertake and complete the conduct of underground materials extraction operations that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of underground materials extraction operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

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

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

consistent achievement of required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to undertake and complete the conduct of underground materials extraction operations

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

Machinery and equipment may include:

hydraulic/pneumatic digger

electric digger

electric/hydraulic bogger

hoists

bobcat

loader

tracked vehicle

tyred vehicle

electric/pneumatic jack hammer

Work requirements may include:

equipment and plant (including any defects)

mining sequence

achievement targets

essential survey data

geological conditions

essential environmental information

hazards

potential hazards

coordination requirements/issues

room and pillar layout

Safety information and procedures may be contained in:

legislation and regulations

relevant Australian standards

Safety Management Plan

OHS policy

code of practice

manufacturer's instructions

safe working procedures (or equivalents)

recognised standards

Communications may include:

radio

telephone

audible signals (bells, whistles, sirens)

physical signals

written and verbal means

Hazards/potential hazards may include:

gas accumulation

ignition

loss of ventilation

breaking into neighbouring workings

roof and wall collapse

water ingress

floor condition

creep