ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Access and apply site Cyanide safety procedures

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the safe handling, storage and use of cyanide

1.2. Apply mine site safe operating procedures for managing potential hazards, risks and emergencies

1.3. Apply mine site safety reporting procedures

2. Apply personal safety measures

2.1. Maintain a clean and tidy workplace

2.2. Use appropriate personal protective equipment

2.3. Apply correct hazardous substance safety procedures

2.4. Obtain permits and clearance before specialised work is carried out, according to site procedures

3. Identify and report incidents/hazards

3.1. Identify, manage and report potential hazards, risks and emergencies

3.2. Report incidents to approved personnel

3.3. Record clearly and concisely the details of any incident, hazards and/or injury

4. Protect workers and the environment during cyanide handling and storage

4.1. Identify quality control and quality assurance procedures, spill prevention and spill containment measures

4.2. Maintain and control unloading, storage and mixing facilities using routine inspections, preventive maintenance and contingency plans to prevent or contain releases and control and respond to worker exposures

5. Manage cyanide process solutions and HCN gas emissions to protect human health and the environment

5.1. Identify and apply operating systems and procedures designed to protect human health and the environment

5.2. Identify and apply management and operating systems designed to monitor and minimise cyanide use

5.3. Identify and apply measures to protect birds, other wildlife and livestock from adverse effects of cyanide process solutions

5.4. Identify and apply measures designed to manage seepage from cyanide facilities to protect the beneficial uses of ground water

5.5. Identify and apply spill prevention or containment measures for process tanks and pipelines

6. Protect workers' health and safety from exposure to cyanide solutions and HCN gas

6.1. Identify potential cyanide exposure scenarios and measures necessary for their elimination, reduction and control

6.2. Operate and monitor cyanide facilities to protect worker health and safety and periodically evaluate the effectiveness of health and safety measures

6.3. Identify and apply emergency response plans or procedures regarding worker exposure to cyanide

7. Apply emergency procedures

7.1. Recognise and respond to alarms and warning devices according to mine site procedures

7.2. Identify and correctly use self rescue equipment in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and site procedures

7.3. Apply basic fire fighting techniques according to mine site procedures

7.4. Maintain familiarity with emergency escape route(s) according to mine site procedures

7.5. Apply mine site emergency response plans and procedures

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to safely handle, store and use cyanide within the gold mining industry:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

apply hazards identification and control procedures

apply incidents reporting requirements and procedures

apply personal protective equipment requirements and procedures

apply cyanide measurement systems (e.g. Titrations)

apply personal and co-worker safety requirements and procedures

apply cyanide materials safety data sheets (MSDS)

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to safely handle, store and use cyanide within the gold mining industry:

emergency procedures

equipment safety requirements

hazardous substances procedures and handling techniques, including understanding of:

material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and their use

Dangerous Goods requirements and procedures

isolation procedures

mine site safety requirements

occupational health and safety procedures

site safety procedures

participative procedures for workplace management of OHS (e.g. consultation, safety representatives, committees, dispute resolution)

International Cyanide Management Code

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 safe handling, storage and use of cyanide within the gold mining industry

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the handling, storage and use of cyanide within the gold mining industry

working with others to undertake and complete the safe handling, storing and using of cyanide within the gold mining industry that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of the safe handling, storage and use of cyanide in the gold mining industry 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

consistently achieving the required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to undertake and complete the safe handling, storing and using of cyanide in the gold mining industry

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

OHS legislation

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 4360

industry guidelines and codes of practice

International Cyanide Management Code

safety and health management system

hazardous substances management, including material safety data sheets (MSDS)

Cyanide may include:

sodium cyanide briquettes

flake calcium cyanide

liquid sodium cyanide

cyanide slurry solution

Mine site safe operating procedures may include:

awareness and access to emergency exits

carrying out safety checks (e.g. checking HCN levels)

emergency procedures (e.g. Cyanide spills)

First Aid procedures

hazard identification and recognition procedures

work access permit

housekeeping standards

decontamination procedures

cyanide destruction procedures

cyanide disposal procedures

change management procedures

observing smoking restrictions at certain locations or times or during specific activities

observing site speed limits

occupational health, safety and environment procedures around equipment, vehicles and personnel

isolation and tagging procedures (e.g. out-of-service tags, danger tags, restrictive operations tags)

use of barricades and guards

use of fire extinguishers

hazardous substances safety procedures, including use of material safety data sheets (MSDS)

use of two-way radios and site telephones

wearing personal protective equipment

control of and working in confined spaces

ensuring ventilation is operating

ensuring safety showers are operating

awareness of and access to escape ways

sign and barricade erection (including cleaning of signs)

Potential hazards, risks and emergencies may include:

personal safety including cyanide or HCN exposure

plant emergency shut down in the event of a cyanide spill

environment (e.g. seepage, emissions, chemical spills, pollution, anything detrimental to fauna and flora)

changes, which may include:

delivery of unknown materials

broken down vehicles or equipment

changes by suppliers

changes of personnel

Personal protective equipment may include:

eye protection (e.g. glasses)

protective clothing (e.g. gloves, safety boots, helmet, long sleeved shirt, trousers and disposable clothing)

chemical/gas detectors HCN

respiratory devices

Self rescue equipment may include:

respiratory devices / breathing apparatus

oxygen therapy units