Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement ventilation management plans in coal and metalliferous mining, including implementing and reviewing ventilation specifications, ventilation control devices, monitoring systems and alarm responses.
This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory or technical specialist roles. They generally monitor a broad range of operational activities in their area of responsibility and are responsible for monitoring a safe work environment.
Licensing, legislative and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories and industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the unit.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare to implement ventilation management plan | 1.1 Access, interpret and implement ventilation management documentation and confirm work activity is compliant 1.2 Identify, and communicate roles and responsibilities to all personnel involved according to ventilation management plan 1.3 Identify, forecast, obtain and allocate/schedule resources required to implement ventilation management plan 1.4 Identify training needs for personnel involved according to ventilation management plan and within scope of own role |
2. Implement ventilation management plan | 2.1 Identify and interpret impact of changes to ventilation system on mine atmosphere 2.2 Implement standards and procedures for installation and operation of monitoring systems and equipment according to ventilation management plan 2.3 Incorporate ventilation control devices into ventilation system according to ventilation management plan 2.4 Implement standards and procedures for inspection, monitoring, recording and reporting on mine ventilation according to ventilation management plan 2.5 Implement standards and procedures for collection and analysis of ventilation data according to ventilation management plan 2.6 Process, record and report monitoring system data according to ventilation management plan and site requirements 2.7 Interpret and compare measured data with legislative requirements and ventilation management plan and action requirements 2.8 Respond to alarms raised according to ventilation management plan 2.9 Implement emergency and evacuation procedures according to ventilation management plan and site requirements |
3. Implement maintenance of and changes to mine ventilation system | 3.1 Implement inspections, repair and maintenance activities according to ventilation management plan 3.2 Implement system of recording, reporting and reviewing maintenance requirements and activities according to ventilation management plan 3.3 Implement changes to mine ventilation systems according to ventilation management plan and site requirements 3.4 Provide, review and implement recommendations for changes to ventilation management procedures as required |
4. Audit ventilation management plan | 4.1 Audit ventilation specifications according to legislative requirements and ventilation management plan 4.2 Audit ventilation control devices according to legislative requirements and ventilation management plan 4.3 Audit monitoring systems operations according to legislative requirements and ventilation management plan 4.4 Audit recording systems according to ventilation management plan 4.5 Audit ventilation system maintenance standards and procedures according to ventilation management plan 4.6 Audit emergency and evacuation plans according to mine safety management system |
Evidence of Performance
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:
implement ventilation management plans on at least two occasions, including:
operating hand held monitoring equipment
accessing and analysing ventilation information
measuring air quality and quantity
collecting, collating and interpreting ventilation data
auditing components of the ventilation management plan.
During the above, the candidate must:
locate and apply relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures and confirm work activity is compliant
apply procedures and techniques for implementing ventilation management plans, including:
performing routine operational mathematical calculations, including quantity, pressure, prediction calculations
interpreting and applying design criteria for ventilation systems and devices
interpreting computer spreadsheets and ventilation modelling/simulations
conducting enquiries/investigations and preparing reports
accessing, interpreting and applying data from monitoring systems and equipment
applying risk management processes and techniques
implementing emergency response and evacuation procedures.
Evidence of Knowledge
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 legislation required to implement ventilation management plans
key procedures and documentation required to implement ventilation management plans
methods of mine ventilation and their applications and limitations, including:
exhaust/force
antitropal
homotropal
flank returns
ascensional/descensional
bleeder
Z/U/Y systems
principles, methods, applications and limitations of panel ventilation, including:
homotropal and antitropal auxiliary fans
coursed ventilation (narrow side/wide side)
machine mounted scrubber systems
compressed air venturis
bleeders
impact of mine and panel design on ventilation
mine roadways and shafts and their impact on mine ventilation
impact of material characteristics and seam gradients on mine ventilation design
impacts on ventilation system of gas drainage, spontaneous combustion, outburst and windblast
types of mine gases, including:
characteristics under varying circumstances
sources
physiological effects
methods of detection
types of airborne contaminants, including:
sources
physical and physiological effects
control and mitigation methods
types of mine fires, including:
sources of ignition
possible effects on the ventilation circuit
prevention, control and mitigation methods
types of mine explosions, including:
ignition sources
possible effects on the ventilation circuit
prevention, control and mitigation methods
pressure change principles, including:
causes
impacts on the ventilation system
responses, including the causes and effects of natural ventilation and recirculation
heat and humidity principles, including sources and factors which may impact ventilation and personnel
principles mine fans, including:
fan laws
types
performance characteristics and configurations
applications and limitations
types of ventilation control devices, including:
purposes
design criteria and specifications
distribution and placement criteria
applications and limitations
de-gassing methods of control, including:
brattice
auxiliary fans
compressed air venturis
sails
hurdles
bleeders
types, characteristics, uses and limitations of fixed ventilation monitoring systems
basic computer-based systems used for mine ventilation monitoring and analysis
types, frequency and method for conducting ventilation surveys
general uses and applications of ventilation theory
techniques for identifying individual training needs
techniques for auditing and reviewing ventilation management systems and processes
principles, processes and techniques for emergency response, evacuation and disaster planning
techniques for leading and coordinating work activities with others.
Assessment Conditions
Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:
include access to:
ventilation management plan
be conducted in a safe environment; and,
be assessed in the context of this sector's work environment; 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:
Industry sector | AQF indicator level*** | Required assessor or industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Infrastructure | 1 | 1 year |
2 | 2 years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying), Metalliferous Mining and Civil Infrastructure | 3-6 | 3 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. | |
*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.
Foundation Skills
Oral communication | Conveys information and requirements clearly and listens actively |
Reading | Identifies and interprets relevant information from workplace procedures, documentation and legislation |
Writing | Prepares specific information that complies with requirements, using sector-specific vocabulary, grammatical structures and conventions |
Sectors
Coal mining
Metalliferous mining