Application
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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for operations for applying effective coal seam gas control practices | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply coal seam gas control documentation and ensure compliance to the work activity 1.2 Obtain, read, clarify and confirm and apply work instructions 1.3 Identify, address and report potential hazards and risks and environmental issues 1.4 Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the work activities 1.5 Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing, during, and on completion of work activities |
2. Apply coal seam gas control strategies | 2.1 Apply approved methods to control identified hazards associated with coal seam gas control under varying working conditions 2.2 Recognise and respond to early warning signs of kicks and coal seam gas going under-balanced while drilling 2.3 Recognise kick indicators and apply kick detection methods and responses during coal seam gas control operations 2.4 Operate equipment to minimise swabbing and surging 2.5 Apply tripping methods 2.6 Apply relevant components of industry requirements and government regulations related to coal seam gas control and influx prevention during operations 2.7 Prepare written records and reports |
3. Coordinating with coal seam gas control crew activities | 3.1 Inform assistants of their roles and responsibilities in a coal seam gas control situation and monitor their application 3.2 Communicate operational activities and information to other crew during coal seam gas control operations 3.3 Conduct coal seam gas control drills and exercises to ensure crew readiness for emergency situations |
4. Operate and monitor coal seam gas control equipment and processes | 4.1 Verify availability and set up of coal seam gas control equipment 4.2 Inspect coal seam gas control equipment for safety and fitness-for-purpose and rectify and/or report faults and malfunctions 4.3 Install, test and operate coal seam gas control equipment 4.4 Monitor, read and interpret measuring and testing equipment and devices to ensure planned, safe, effective coal seam gas control 4.5 Assist in installation, maintenance and replacement of equipment |
5. Apply coal seam gas kill procedures | 5.1 Confirm coal seam gas control procedures and activities with crew members 5.2 Apply operational instructions 5.3 Apply coal seam gas control working practices 5.4 Apply coal seam gas kill methods 5.5 Carry out emergency shutdown procedures 5.6 Communicate incident information to other crew members |
6. Conduct housekeeping activities | 6.1 Clean, check, maintain and store plant, tools and equipment 6.2 Report issues identified with plant, tools and equipment |
Evidence of Performance
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
Evidence of Knowledge
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
Assessment Conditions
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:
Industry sector | AQF** Level | Required assessor or Industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction | 1 | 1 Year |
2 | 2 Years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying) | 3-6 | 3 Years |
Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction | 3-6 | 5 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. |
*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
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.
Sectors
Coal mining
Drilling