Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish and maintain ventilation management systems in coal and metalliferous mining, including design, development, audit and review processes and procedures.
It applies to those working in management or technical specialist roles. They generally perform complex, non
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. Identify, analyse and evaluate hazards associated with mine atmosphere | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply ventilation management documentation 1.2 Identify and evaluate the sources and hazards of airborne contaminants 1.3 Identify, analyse and evaluate the likely impact of gas drainage 1.4 Identify, analyse and evaluate the hazards of spontaneous combustion, fire and explosion 1.5 Identify, analyse and evaluate the impact of ventilation pressure differentials 1.6 Identify, analyse and evaluate the effect of changes in air temperature, pressure and humidity |
2. Identify, analyse and evaluate events which impact on ventilation | 2.1 Identify and evaluate the impact of disruption to the ventilation system 2.2 Identify and evaluate the causes and effects of recirculation 2.3 Identify, analyse and evaluate the potential for and likely impact of windblast 2.4 Identify, analyse and evaluate the potential for and likely impact of outburst 2.5 Identify, analyse and evaluate the impacts of holing into previous workings 2.6 Identify, analyse and evaluate the impact of water 2.7 Identify, analyse and evaluate the potential for, and likely impact of spontaneous combustion, fires and explosion |
3. Identify, analyse and evaluate mine ventilation control options and measures | 3.1 Identify, analyse and evaluate the types, applications and limitations of the ventilation control devices 3.2 Identify and evaluate the impact of mine design on the ventilation system 3.3 Identify and evaluate the methods, purposes and limitations of mine monitoring systems and processes |
4. Design and develop ventilation management system | 4.1 Access, interpret and clarify legislative and site requirements relating to mine ventilation management 4.2 Incorporate principles and requirements of mine ventilation into the design and development of ventilation system 4.3 Identify design criteria and specifications for ventilation networks and incorporate into ventilation system 4.4 Identify, evaluate and incorporate requirements for mine fans into ventilation system 4.5 Evaluate ventilation control device options against requirements and incorporate into ventilation system 4.6 Incorporate ventilation and environmental monitoring systems into ventilation system |
5. Establish ventilation management system | 5.1 Establish and incorporate mine ventilation objectives, systems descriptions and responsibilities into ventilation management plan 5.2 Establish procedures for installation, operation and maintenance of ventilation monitoring systems according to site requirements 5.3 Prepare and establish procedures for installation, operation and changes to ventilation control devices according to site requirements 5.4 Determine trigger levels for each hazard and incorporate into ventilation management plan according to site requirements 5.5 Establish ventilation system maintenance program and procedures and incorporate into ventilation management plan according to site requirements 5.6 Incorporate audit, review and update procedures for the ventilation systems into ventilation management plan according to site requirements 5.7 Identify training needs and confirm training plan is established according to site requirements 5.8 Establish procedure for planning, controlling, implementing, recording and communicating changes to mine ventilation systems and components and incorporate according to site requirements |
6. Plan and prepare to implement ventilation management system | 6.1 Identify and interpret legislative and site implementation requirements relating to mine ventilation management 6.2 Identify, clarify and communicate roles and responsibilities according to ventilation management plan 6.3 Identify, forecast, obtain and allocate/schedule required resources according to ventilation management plan 6.4 Provide, review and implement recommendations for changes to ventilation management implementation procedures as required |
7. Audit and review ventilation management system | 7.1 Audit ventilation standards according to site requirements 7.2 Audit ventilation control devices according to site requirements 7.3 Audit monitoring systems according to site requirements 7.4 Audit ventilation recording systems according to site requirements 7.5 Audit ventilation system maintenance program and procedures according to site requirements 7.6 Audit the ventilation management training program according to ventilation management plan requirements 7.7 Audit and review the planning process of future ventilation requirements according to site requirements 7.8 Identify and correct non-compliance or other discrepancies/deficiencies revealed by audit |
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:
establish and maintain ventilation management systems on at least two occasions, including:
identifying, collating and evaluating data, events and activities that impact on ventilation systems
identifying and evaluation limitations of ventilations control devices and systems
designing and developing the ventilation management system incorporating principles and requirements of mine ventilation, including effects of mine gases
establishing technical procedures relating to ventilation
confirming training program is established to address training needs relating to ventilation management
incorporating mine ventilation plan into work activity
conducting enquiries/investigations throughout the audit of ventilation management plan
providing solutions to non
preparing reports on ventilations management plan audits.
During the above, the candidate must:
locate and apply relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures and confirm work activity is compliant
implement requirements, procedures and techniques for establishing and maintaining ventilation management systems, including:
accessing and analysing archival and historical ventilation information
interpreting and applying mathematical and scientific theorems/laws related to ventilation
accessing, evaluating and applying design criteria for ventilation systems and devices
interpreting computer spreadsheets and ventilation modelling/simulations
accessing, evaluating and applying data from monitoring systems and equipment
work effectively with others to establish and maintain ventilation management systems in a manner that meets required outcomes, including:
communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions and convey work progress
identifying the relevant information and scope of the work necessary to meet required outcomes
establishing technical procedures relating to ventilation management.
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 establish and maintain mine ventilation management systems
key procedures and documentation required to establish and maintain mine ventilation management systems, including archival and historical ventilation information
principles, methods, applications and limitations of mine ventilation, 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 mining techniques and mine and panel design on ventilation
impact of coal characteristics and coal seam gradients on mine ventilation design
principles and impacts of ventilation systems on 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
mine roadways and shafts design parameters and impacts on mine ventilation
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
design criteria, specifications and design processes of ventilation networks and individual circuits
types, characteristics, uses and limitations of fixed ventilation monitoring systems
types, characteristics, uses and limitations of portable monitoring equipment
functions, capabilities, limitation and uses of computer modelling and simulation techniques
computer-based systems for mine environmental analysis
ventilation management system development requirements and processes
types, frequency and method for conducting ventilation surveys, including:
pressure
quantity
temperature
gas
dust
processes and techniques for determining alarms and trigger points/levels
ventilation theory, including:
psychrometry and heat
gas laws including Charles’s law and Boyle’s law
natural ventilation pressures
air quality measurement
control device leakage
duct leakage
regulator
equivalent office calculation and Kirchoff’s laws
techniques for identifying individual training needs and reviewing ventilation management system training plans
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
Numeracy | Calculates resourcing requirements, performs mathematical calculations and applies mathematical and scientific laws and theorem |
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 a range of requirements, using sector-specific vocabulary, grammatical structures and conventions |
Sectors
Coal mining
Metalliferous mining