This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to apply effective coal seam gas control practices in Coal mining and Drilling.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles in coal-seam methane gas drilling operations within:

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 relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures

implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of effective coal seam gas control practices including:

identifying, addressing and reporting potential hazards and risks

controlling identified hazards

recognising kick indicators

responding to early warning signs of kicks and coal seam gas going under-balanced while drilling

identifying, addressing and reporting environmental issues

preparing written records and reports

rectifying and/or reporting faults and malfunctions

works effectively with others to undertake and complete effective coal seam gas control practices to meets all required outcomes including:

preparing for and organising work activities to meet all task requirements

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

using a range of communication techniques and aids to advise others of work activity and exclusion zones

conducting drills and exercise with crew

providing operational instruction to others

demonstrates completion of the application of effective coal seam gas control practices that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

applying kick detection methods and responses

confirming coal seam gas control procedures and activities with crew members

conducting drills and exercises with crew in readiness of emergencies

inspecting coal seam gas control equipment for safety and fitness-for-purpose

installing, testing, operating and monitoring coal seam gas control equipment and processes

applying coal seam gas kill methods

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in applying effective coal seam gas control practices through:

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

site isolation, signage and erecting barriers

work health and safety

selecting and checking for faults, all plant, tools and equipment to carry out tasks

carrying out work to specifications

applying effective techniques for coal seam gas control

standard working practices and procedures for effective coal seam gas control

recognising early warning signs of kicks

recognising kick indicators

the effects on swabbing and surging

coal seam gas kill methods

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.

Coal mining

Drilling