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
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Factors to be considered may include:
timeframe for survival of search object
other time factors
ground/structural conditions
human resources
communications
capacity of the missing person/party
place and time last seen
size of search area
availability of food and water
availability of shelter
availability of respirable air
External agencies may include:
police search and rescue service
State Emergency Service
Ambulance service
mine rescue services (mutual aid agreements/arrangements)
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) agencies
fire and rescue services
counselling agencies
Equipment may include:
communication systems and equipment
respiratory protection for team and casualty
First Aid equipment
casualty/equipment transport (stokes litter)
site/area map
telephone contact details
gas detection equipment
self rescuer
rope bag and contents
scaling bars
portable lights
PPE
guide lines
tag lines
vehicles
ropes
lights
breathing apparatus
search kits
Communications may include:
2-way radio
telephone
mobile phone
hand signals
runners
light signals
Search techniques may include:
line of sight
systematic coverage of area radiating from last point of contact of search object
link lines/guide lines
walking/crawling
sweep
grid patterns
feelings
Physical contact may include:
personal contact
link line/guide line
visual
radio communication
Route marking may include:
chemical light sticks
wall markings
barricades
luminous tape/guide lines or hoses
Unplanned event or change in circumstances may include:
route impassable
collapsed team member
unacceptable environment changes
communications failure
search team member equipment failure
directed withdrawal
team time expiry
team lost, withdrawal
notification to team from incident control
Incident Control:
has control and makes decisions on the operations associated with dealing with the incident
could be located at a fresh air base which can be defined as a continuously monitored station for dispatch or return of teams in close proximity to active zones in known fresh air
Conclusion of search may include:
object of search found
recommendation that search be called off
further search

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 searches in underground metalliferous mines
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient conducting of searches in underground metalliferous mines
working with others to conduct searches in underground metalliferous mines that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely conducting of searches in underground metalliferous mines 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 conduct searches in underground metalliferous mines
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.