Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 5:24 AM AWST
23/07/2026 5:24 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Lead rescue team
Lead rescue team
Unit of competency
National Code
RIIERR403A
RIIERR403A
State Code
WB598
WB598
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/01/2011
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
21/01/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers leading of rescue teams in underground metalliferous mining operations. It includes: preparing for rescue operation; briefing team members; reporting to and liaising with Incident Control; leading and monitoring the rescue team; and completing team operations.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for rescue operation
- 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the underground metalliferous mine rescue
- 1.2. Obtain and verify information about the rescue operation
- 1.3. Obtain mine plan and determine route of travel and mark on mine plan
- 1.4. Develop, or agree with Incident Control, the strategy search patterns and contingency plans for the rescue operation
- 1.5. Implement communication system and equipment
- 1.6. Assess team members' competence to meet the rescue situation and task requirements and constitute team
- 1.7. Allocate team roles to best utilise individual team member competence
- 1.8. Identify, test and allocate rescue and safety equipment and materials to team members
- 1.9. Determine and ensure availability of any ancillary equipment required with Incident Control and/or mining personnel
2. Brief team members
- 2.1. Provide information to team members on their roles, tasks and responsibilities to allow effective, safe rescue operation
- 2.2. Ascertain team members understanding of their roles, tasks and responsibilities
3. Report to and liaise with Incident Control
- 3.1. Observe reporting formats and protocols
- 3.2. Confirm rescue strategies with Incident Control
- 3.3. Receive and follow operational advice from Incident Control
- 3.4. Relay information to Incident Control which can affect team operations or safety to team members
- 3.5. Complete records required in accordance with legislative requirements or site requirements
4. Lead and monitor rescue team
- 4.1. Carry out recommended procedures for entering hazardous or irrespirable atmospheres and situations
- 4.2. Continually assess environment, tasks and hazards associated with rescue team's safety, and apply judgements to ensure tasks and procedures are carried out within rescue team's ability
- 4.3. Continuously assess hazards and implement controls to minimise risk
- 4.4. Monitor team member's physical and emotional condition and take appropriate action to address any problems
- 4.5. Provide information to team members about changes which can affect their operations or safety
- 4.6. Ensure team adheres to team rescue procedures according to standard rescue guidelines
- 4.7. Implement coaching processes within the team and identify further assistance
5. Complete team operation
- 5.1. Provide verbal report to Incident Control to advise of status of operation and significant variations to expected conditions
- 5.2. Formally de-brief team to obtain and collate incident and procedural information
- 5.3. Provide comprehensive oral and written report on team's deployment and consequential outcomes to Incident Control
- 5.4. Report on significant physical or emotional condition of team members
- 5.5. Offer team members critical incident stress debriefing and counselling in an appropriate environment
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
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Information may include:
arrivals
departures
team names
suit/set identification numbers
route of travel
expected time of return
Incident Control:
has overall planning, approval and control of an incident
Communications may include:
reports
2-way radio
telephone
mobile phone
hand signals
runners
light signals
Teams may comprise two or more members, depending on such factors as:
respiratory protection
distance/communications
Team roles may include:
rescue team leader
deputy rescue team leader
rescue team member
Equipment is:
the equipment specified in the mine's rescue guidelines and protocols
Operational advice may include:
re-location
evacuation
notification to active team
notification to surface
Irrespirable atmosphere is considered as an atmosphere which is unsafe for a person to breathe as a result of either oxygen depletion or the presence of:
toxic fumes
gases
contaminants
Physical condition may be affected by:
heat exhaustion
dehydration
injuries from slipping / tripping / falls
respiratory problems
physical exhaustion
vomiting
workload
Emotional condition may be affected by:
panic
fright
stress
distress
claustrophobia
Reports may be:
written or oral
Relevant compliance documentation
may include:
legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Information may include:
arrivals
departures
team names
suit/set identification numbers
route of travel
expected time of return
Incident Control:
has overall planning, approval and control of an incident
Communications may include:
reports
2-way radio
telephone
mobile phone
hand signals
runners
light signals
Teams may comprise two or more members, depending on such factors as:
respiratory protection
distance/communications
Team roles may include:
rescue team leader
deputy rescue team leader
rescue team member
Equipment is:
the equipment specified in the mine's rescue guidelines and protocols
Operational advice may include:
re-location
evacuation
notification to active team
notification to surface
Irrespirable atmosphere is considered as an atmosphere which is unsafe for a person to breathe as a result of either oxygen depletion or the presence of:
toxic fumes
gases
contaminants
Physical condition may be affected by:
heat exhaustion
dehydration
injuries from slipping / tripping / falls
respiratory problems
physical exhaustion
vomiting
workload
Emotional condition may be affected by:
panic
fright
stress
distress
claustrophobia
Reports may be:
written or oral
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 the leading of rescue teams in underground metalliferous mines
implementation of appropriate procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient leading of rescue teams in underground metalliferous mines
working with others to plan, prepare and conduct underground metalliferous mining rescue procedures
provision of clear and timely instruction and supervision by the individual of those involved in underground metalliferous mining rescue
evidence of the consistent successful leadership of underground metalliferous mining rescue procedures
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 procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of the required outcomes
consistently achieving the required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to plan, prepare and conduct underground metalliferous mining rescue procedures
provision of clear and timely instruction and supervision by the individual of those underground metalliferous mining rescue procedures
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
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 the leading of rescue teams in underground metalliferous mines
implementation of appropriate procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient leading of rescue teams in underground metalliferous mines
working with others to plan, prepare and conduct underground metalliferous mining rescue procedures
provision of clear and timely instruction and supervision by the individual of those involved in underground metalliferous mining rescue
evidence of the consistent successful leadership of underground metalliferous mining rescue procedures
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 procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of the required outcomes
consistently achieving the required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to plan, prepare and conduct underground metalliferous mining rescue procedures
provision of clear and timely instruction and supervision by the individual of those underground metalliferous mining rescue procedures
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| W2459 | MNMRR411A | Lead rescue team | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH283 | RIIERR403D | Lead rescue team | Unit of competency |