This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct underground lifting operations in coal mining. It includes developing preliminary lifting plans, preparing anchors, directing load movements, connecting load to movement devices and dismantling and removing or restoring load shifting equipment.

It applies to those working in operational roles. They generally work under supervision to undertake a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures and take some responsibility for the quality of work outcomes.

No licensing, legislation or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

conduct underground lifting operations on at least two occasions, including:

developing a preliminary lifting plan, including a minimum of five of the following:

confirmed details of underground lifting requirements

confirmed dimensions

site access and egress

suitability and availability of materials

tools and equipment

identification of potential hazards

probable control measures

identification of site coordination requirements

obtaining, interpreting and clarifying work requirements, including in the following forms:

shift briefings

handover details

work orders

selecting and preparing appropriate anchors

identifying and confirming appropriate safe working loads and centre of gravity

directing load using appropriate signals

connecting load to movement device

applying load movement procedures to ensure stability of the load

dismantling and removing or restore load shifting equipment.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply required documentation, policies and procedures and confirm work activity is compliant

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient conducting of underground lifting operations, including:

selecting and using the required tools and equipment

identifying and label unserviceable equipment, materials and tools

moving loads laterally using multiple lifting devices

work with others to conduct underground lifting operations in a way that meets required outcomes, including:

organising work activities to meet task requirements

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

complying with reporting requirements and procedures.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

key policies, procedures and documentation required to conduct underground lifting operations, including those related to:

work health and safety

site and equipment safety

operational and maintenance activities

record maintenance and reporting

principles and techniques for developing preliminary lifting plans, including:

confirmed details of underground lifting requirement

confirmed dimensions and mass

site access and egress

suitability and availability of materials

tools and equipment

identification of potential hazards

probable control measures

identification of site coordination requirements

principles and techniques for identifying and responding to relevant hazards and emergencies

principles and techniques for interpreting underground lifting work requirements, including in the following forms:

shift briefings

handover details

work orders

characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations of hand tools and equipment required for underground lifting operations, including:

slings

ropes

shackles

eye-bolts

chain blocks

lever hoists

elephants foot

verbal and hand signal techniques for load moving

principles and techniques for applying movement devices, including:

load haul dump (LHD) jib attachments

manual and mechanically operated chain blocks/lever pullers

roof supports and winches

site requirements for housekeeping, completing maintenance records and reporting requirements

basic techniques for communicating job activities with others.

Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment required to conduct underground lifting operations

be conducted in a safe environment; and,

be assessed in the context of this sector's work environment; and,

be best assessed where infrastructure is available to facilitate lateral load movement using multiple lifting devices; and,

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

confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances.

Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated work environment* provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must be able to clearly demonstrate current and relevant industry knowledge and experience to satisfy the mandatory regulatory standards as set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/Australian Quality Training Framework mandatory requirements for assessors current at the time of assessment and any relevant licensing and certification requirements. This includes:

vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed

current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided

current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment

formal relevant qualifications in training and assessment

having knowledge of and/or experience using the latest techniques and processes

possessing the required level of RII training product knowledge

having an understanding and knowledge of legislation and regulations relevant to the industry and to employment and workplaces

demonstrating the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence outlined in this unit of competency, and

the minimum years of current** work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below in an industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit.

It is also acceptable for the appropriately qualified assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together and for the industry expert to be involved in the assessment judgement. The industry expert must have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided. This means the industry subject matter expert must demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed:

*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide located on VETNet.

**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 a minimum number of site assessments as determined by the relevant industry sector, across various locations.

*** While a unit of competency does not have an AQF level, where a unit is being delivered outside of a qualification the first numeric character in the unit code should be considered as the AQF indicator level for assessment purposes.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Coal mining (underground)