Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct skip operations in coal and metalliferous mining, including loading skips, monitoring skip performance and removing blockages.

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.

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.

Unit Sector

Coal mining

Metalliferous mining

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

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

Unit Mapping Information

Supersedes and is equivalent to RIIUND208D Conduct skip operations.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides is found on VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=88a61002-9a21-4386-aaf8-69c76e675272

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

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 skip operations on at least two occasions, including:

• completing start-up and shutdown procedures
• applying dust suppression and extraction methods
• loading skip with materials and confirming load:

• does not exceed capacity
• is appropriate to minimise spills

• identifying, confirming location and nature of blockages
• removing blockages
• isolating skip before maintenance
• maintaining, servicing and cleaning skip equipment.

During the above, the candidate must:

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

Knowledge Evidence

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 conduct skip operations
• key policies, procedures and documentation required to conduct skip operations
• characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations of skips, including:

• key factors affecting skip capacity, including:

• duration of operation
• efficient and safe operating speed
• operating limitations
• type of activities performed
• weight and/or load limitations

• key load materials
• key indicators for monitoring skip performance, including:

• computer indicators
• skip indicators

• key blockages, including:

• oversize materials
• contaminants

• key contaminants
• isolation and permit-to work systems and procedures
• trip and fault procedures and abnormal conditions
• manufacturer specifications
• shaft configuration and construction
• shaft services and installations, including:

• pipes
• cables
• ladders

• characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations of systems and equipment required to conduct skip operations, including:

• winding engines
• buckets
• cages
• skips
• power supplies and equipment
• in-shaft communications equipment
• communication systems between cage and winder
• mine ventilation system
• winder systems
• hand and power tools

• principles and techniques for identifying defects relevant to skip operations, including inspection and observation
• techniques for removing blockages, including:

• firing
• water flushing
• hot work, including:

• cutting
• welding

• techniques skip operator maintenance and cleaning
• techniques for applying basic geological and technical data
• principles and techniques for identifying and responding to relevant hazards and emergencies
• site requirements for processing records and reporting requirements
• basic techniques for communicating job activities with others.

Assessment Conditions

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

• include access to:

• skip
• personal protective equipment
• equipment required to conduct skip operations

• 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:

*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.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides is found on VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=88a61002-9a21-4386-aaf8-69c76e675272