Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:06 PM AWST

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Conduct rope shovel operations

Conduct rope shovel operations

Unit of competency
National Code
RIIMPO303A
State Code
WB324
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
22/06/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
24/10/2012
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
24/10/2012
Nominal Hours
70
Description
This unit covers conducting rope shovel operations in the mining industries. It includes: planning and preparing for operations;Operating the shovel; digging and loading trucks; and conducting housekeeping activities.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for operations
  • 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to conducting rope shovel operations
  • 1.2. Receive, interpret and clarify shift changeover details
  • 1.3. Evaluate equipment and/or attachments supplied for suitability for the work to be undertaken, according to job specifications and to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of work activities
  • 1.4. Identify, address and report potential hazards and risks
  • 1.5. Select personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities
  • 1.6. Carry out equipment pre-start checks to ensure equipment is ready for operation
  • 1.7. Comply with environmental requirements
  • 1.8. Position or move cable towers, power lines and/or crossovers to location according to work plan, ensuring safety of operator and other personnel
  • 1.9. Establish and maintain communication with other personnel using approved communication methods
  • 1.10. Follow emergency procedures to ensure safety of personnel and plant
2. Operate shovel
  • 2.1. Start shovel to manufacturer's operational requirements
  • 2.2. Warm up and exercise shovel and associated equipment, and check controls and instruments for correct functioning
  • 2.3. Interpret instruments and alarms and take appropriate action in response
  • 2.4. Operate shovel smoothly, with correct reach angle to allow optimum efficiency and bucket load, and minimise overload or strain on shovel
  • 2.5. Position shovel for safe, efficient extraction
3. Dig and load trucks with electric rope shovel
  • 3.1. Position and set up shovel for safe, efficient digging
  • 3.2. Determine and maintain depth of bench to allow optimum use of bucket capacity
  • 3.3. Set and monitor bucket penetration for optimum bucket load and to minimise overload or strain on shovel
  • 3.4. Walk shovel and re-position shovel, power lines and cable towers for safe and efficient operation
  • 3.5. Communicate with and directs truck positioning for safe loading operation
  • 3.6. Load material on truck so that bucket clears side of truck and is not swung over truck cabin, material is placed in the centre of tray and does not exceed truck load limit
  • 3.7. Check surrounding area and re-position shovel in regard to other operations personnel, to meet digging requirements
  • 3.8. Keep floor clear and level and removes spillages
  • 3.9. Park shovel in safe area, on flat, level ground at end of shift
4. Conduct housekeeping activities
  • 4.1. Clean equipment to site requirements
  • 4.2. Clean and store attachments and other ancillary equipment ready for further use
  • 4.3. Complete all required records and documentation accurately and promptly
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
Potential hazards and risks may include:
abandoned equipment
adjoining pit walls
adverse weather conditions (electrical storms, floods, fires)
chemicals
contaminants
equipment
fences
holes
materials
over-hanging rocks
personnel
pot holes
unsafe ground
unstable faces
vehicles
stored energy which may include:
engine components
radiators and cooling systems
hydraulic tanks and reservoirs
air tanks and reservoirs
hydraulic hoses
air hoses
tires
air conditioning components
electrical components
braking systems
centrifugal forces
Pre-start checks may include:
air filter restriction indicator
cab (horn, lights, air conditioner)
computer systems
display instrumentation and gauges (indicators, gauges, laser levels)
electric motor run lights
fluid levels (windscreen washer tank, hydraulic oil, grease, gearbox oil)
visual and audio warning devices and lights
Environmental requirements may include:
culturally-sensitive sites and artefacts
drainage
dust
emissions
flora and fauna
hazardous chemicals
heritage legislation
noise
runoff
spills
water quality
Emergency procedures may include:
clean up
equipment shutdown procedures
evacuation procedures
First Aid
isolation procedures
notification of authorities
use of personal protective equipment
Capacity of equipment and/or attachments may include:
duration of operation
efficient and safe operating speed
operating limitations
type of activities performed
weight and/or load limitations
Loading face characteristics may include:
stable
unstable
Material may include:
gravel
ore
overburden
oxidised waste
rejects
road base
rubbish
sand
sulphide rock fill
tailings
topsoil
water
Cleaning methods may include:
degreasing
forced air
steam cleaning
vacuum
water

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 conducting rope shovel operations
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of rope shovel operations
working with others to undertake and complete rope shovel operations that meet all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of rope shovel operations 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 rope shovel operations
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
W2370 MNMOLH302A Conduct electric rope shovel operations Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WH409 RIIMPO303D Conduct rope shovel operations Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
D797 RII40212 Certificate IV in Surface Coal Mining (Open Cut Examiner) Qualification