This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to service electrical systems and equipment in underground and open-cut mines.

It includes working safely, planning to maintain mining electrical systems and equipment, applying logical fault diagnosis procedures, following fault rectification workplace procedures and maintaining the service documentation.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit require a licence or permit to practice in the workplace where work is carried out on electrical installations which are designed to operate at voltages greater than 50 volt (V) alternating current (a.c.) or 120 V direct current (d.c.).

Competency development activities in this unit are subject to regulations directly related to licensing. Where a licence or permit to practice is not held, a relevant contract of training, such as an Australian Apprenticeship, may be required.

Additional and/or other conditions may apply in some jurisdictions subject to regulations related to electrical work. Practice in the workplace and during training is also subject to work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Plan to maintain electrical mining equipment

1.1

WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures for a given work area are identified and applied

1.2

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures in preparation for work are followed

1.3

Scope of electrical work to be undertaken is determined from fault/breakdown reports and/or discussions with appropriate person/s

1.4

Advice is sought from work supervisor to ensure work is coordinated effectively with others

1.5

Sources of materials required for work are determined in accordance with workplace procedures

1.6

Tools, equipment and testing devices needed to locate faults are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures and checked for correct operation and safety

2

Maintain operation of electrical mining equipment

2.1

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures for carrying out the work are followed

2.2

Need to test or measure live electrical work is determined in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

2.3

Circuits/machines/plant are checked and isolated in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

2.4

Safety hazards resulting from fault/s or breakdown are documented on job safety assessments, risks assessed and control measures implemented in consultation with appropriate person/s and workplace procedures

2.5

Fault-finding analysis is approached methodically using measured and calculated values of electrical circuit/apparatus parameters

2.6

Electrical circuit/apparatus components are dismantled, as required, and parts stored to protect against loss or damage

2.7

Faulty circuits/components are rechecked and fault status identified

2.8

Materials/replacement parts required to rectify fault/s are sourced and obtained in accordance with workplace procedures

2.9

Effectiveness of repair/s is tested in accordance with workplace procedures

2.10

Electrical apparatus and circuits are inspected, reassembled, tested and prepared for return to service

2.11

Unplanned situations are responded to safely and in accordance with workplace procedures with the approval of an authorised person/s

2.12

Fault-finding and repair activities are carried out without damage to apparatus, circuits, the surrounding environment or services using sustainable energy practices

3

Complete work and report on operation of electrical mining equipment

3.1

WHS/OHS work completion risk control measures and workplace procedures are followed

3.2

Reusable, faulty or worn components are tagged and despatched for repair in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3

Maintenance work activities are documented in accordance with workplace procedures

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least two separate occasions and include:

applying methodical fault-finding techniques

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including using risk control measures

applying sustainable energy principles and practices

completing and reporting maintaining operation of electrical mining equipment

completing workplace documentation correctly

dealing with unplanned events in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

determining scope of work from fault/breakdown reports and discussion with appropriate person/s

finding faults efficiently in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturer specifications

implementing WHS/OHS workplace procedures and practices

maintaining operation of electrical mining equipment

planning to maintain operation of electrical mining equipment

rectifying faults effectively in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturer specifications.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

electrical apparatus, including:

switchboards/distribution boards

protective devices such as circuit breakers

earth leakage devices

control equipment

socket outlets

electric vehicles

motor starters and associated control devices

electrical circuits, including:

supplying fix equipment

lighting

motors

socket outlets

trailing cable

within electric vehicles

electrical control and protection in mines, including:

types of protection

operation of protection devices and systems

prospective fault currents

discrimination

electrical mining systems, including:

earthing

mine reticulation

substations

switchgear

transmission lines

environmental monitoring and control, including:

basic principles

control methods

types and application of sensors

equipment monitoring methods

fire detection, warning and control systems

handling, storage and testing of mining cables

operation and safety of mining equipment, including:

battery charging

battery-operated vehicles

conveyors

mine winder and package systems

ore extraction machinery

shuttle cars

ventilation fans

relevant industry technical standards, regulations and codes for mining, including:

certified/approved electrical equipment

codes applicable to electrical safe working practices

installation arrangements

installation of electrical equipment

protection for safety

regulations governing mining and related activities

standards mandated under regulation or by an authority, deemed-to-comply standard and local service requirements

testing and verification

relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation, including:

component faults reports

inspection and test results

authorisations and permits

parts/component despatch and stores records

relevant workplace policies and procedures

sustainable energy principles and practices.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in suitable simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, facilities, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, relevant industry standards, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

maintaining operation of electrical mining equipment must include rectifying at least four of the following faults in mining equipment and circuits:

apparatus/component failure

incorrect connections

insulation failure

open circuit

related mechanical failure

short circuit

unsafe condition

Electrotechnology

Electrical