Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant compliance documentation
may include:
legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
codes of practice
Employment and Workplace Relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Type of ground to be assessed may include:
Decline
ore drive/ ore body
footwall and quartz margin
hanging wall
limestone, quartz, shale, sulphide materials
major shears or faulting
damp blocky areas (lubricated)
unravelling blocky ground
competent blocky ground
bedding angle of rock as presents itself in openings
different types of ground support
'bellies' and 'undercuts'
different mineral or rock contacts
ground with poor support or bearing capabilities
washouts
Information may be obtained from:
cross-shift workers
supervisors
survey reports
training courses
site-specific information
industry-based electronic information such as stability monitoring systems
site-based geotechnical experts
Communications may include:
hand signals
direct communication
verbal
mine level plans
notice boards
Personal protective equipment may include:
gloves to be worn when barring
sleeves to be rolled down
safety lanyard if working near edge or in a man-platform
Support equipment for ground assessment may include:
danger barricades and signage
serviceable, effective spot light for high headings
jumbo lights
lights on loader with platform
hoses with tails
water services and manifolds
torch or stope light for additional lighting
in high headings or openings, a loader with man-platform and lights on
ancillary equipment
Potential hazards may be from crushing by rock falls, and may be caused by:
commencing scaling work from unsafe or unsupported ground
other people approaching the work area and being allowed to enter un-scaled area
rock as it falls or slides down a scaling bar
barring down directly above self
large spans of unsupported laminated material that falls
having insecure footing and a 'bad' retreat
not reading shears/ block joints and faults correctly to identify rock that can move
not sounding and testing ground where different mineralisation and rock types meet
non-bonding of rock types
advancing into un-scaled areas without scaling the area first (having a quick look)
failing to recognize that dust falling indicates large rocks moving that may fall
shattering rock as it falls from the roof or face
Adverse conditions may include:
fresh rock falls
bellies and undercuts
cracks and fissures
discontinuities
floor heave
three or more discontinuities or cracks with opposite dips (crack angle running into rock) which may form a wedge, block or slab, which is not bolted or otherwise supported
water seeping out of discontinuities that were previously dry
stope pillars that are higher than they are wide
signs of stress such as material that has flaked off walls and pillars
rock bolt plates that have been flattened or are 'doming' in, instead of out (plates that are beginning to turn 'inside out')
where the plate is split or the nut has pulled through the plate
straps that are under tension bowing out under obvious load
evidence that the rock bolt is taking load
rock bolts, plates and straps, which have corroded
timbers which are splitting, bending or have failing headboards
concrete reinforcement that is cracking, flaking or fallen
Appropriate equipment/techniques to confirm ground stability may include:
varying length scaling bars fitted with centre rubber for rock deflection
manual scaling
hydro scaling
mechanical scaling, for example using an excavator or similar fit-for-purpose machine

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for assessing of ground conditions
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient assessment of ground conditions
working with others to assess ground conditions and meet all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of assessment of ground conditions that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistently achieving the required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete the assessment of ground conditions
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.