Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 5:49 AM AWST
23/07/2026 5:49 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.
Establish and operate from fresh air base
Establish and operate from fresh air base
Unit of competency
National Code
RIIERR309A
RIIERR309A
State Code
WB239
WB239
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
09/02/2010
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
09/02/2010
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers establishing and operating from fresh air base in underground metalliferous mines. It includes: preparing to establish, establishing and operating from fresh air bases.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare to establish fresh air base
- 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to establishing and operating from fresh air base in underground metalliferous mines
- 1.2. Develop strategy for the establishment of the fresh air base
- 1.3. Analyse mine plans, characteristics, data and reports to locate and assess potential affected zones
- 1.4. Confirm effected fresh air zones through atmospheric testing
- 1.5. Identify and organise/obtain fresh air base resources
- 1.6. Check all fresh air base resources for correct, safe operation to manufacturer's specifications and mine requirements
- 1.7. Check selected testing and monitoring instruments for correct operation to manufacturer's specifications and mine requirements
- 1.8. Appoint fresh air base personnel with required competence
2. Establish the fresh air base
- 2.1. Transport to and install all allocated fresh air base resources
- 2.2. Test site gas levels to ensure they are within specified limits
- 2.3. Inspect roof, sides and floor for stability and safety
- 2.4. Install monitoring equipment in appropriate locations
- 2.5. Monitor atmosphere to maintain integrity of fresh air base in event of atmospheric changes
- 2.6. Maintain fresh air base in respirable air
- 2.7. Ensure escape strategy and equipment are available to enable fresh air base personnel to effect escape in emergency conditions
- 2.8. Install communication equipment in fresh air base and test for effective, clear and reliable operation
3. Operate from fresh air base
- 3.1. Monitor atmosphere to ensure compliance with designated limits and log at recommended intervals
- 3.2. Communicate atmosphere conditions to Incident Control for instructions
- 3.3. Relocate fresh air bases if atmosphere becomes outside designated limits
- 3.4. Inform rescue team of fresh air base relocation and reason for decision to relocate
- 3.5. Control and monitor rescue team activities and movements to ensure team safety, duty of care and team tasks are achieved
- 3.6. Make available and keep all fresh air base equipment in a state of readiness for use in case of emergency
- 3.7. Brief, equip, check, log and dispatch rescue team to meet rescue operations requirements
- 3.8. Coordinate and control ancillary personnel and operations working from fresh air base
- 3.9. Maintain communications with teams and Incident Control to ensure safety of rescue teams and fresh air base personnel
- 3.10. Carry out handover briefings to ensure continuity of operations and team safety by oncoming personnel
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
Fresh air base may be defined as:
a continuously monitored station for dispatch or return of rescue teams in close proximity to irrespirable zones in known fresh air
Atmospheric testing may include:
hand-held instruments
tube detectors
telemetric remote sampling
Fresh air base resources may include:
tradespeople
doctors
paramedics
clergy
gas monitoring
communications
technicians
mine officials
Monitoring equipment refers to portable:
electronic / chemical instruments
ventilation measuring instruments
Communications may include:
telephones
radios
runners
2-way radio
computer
Information may be logged by:
log books
duty cards
tape recorder
Atmosphere conditions may include:
temperature
humidity
noise
gas levels
dust air-borne contaminations
Incident Control:
has overall planning, approval and control of an incident
Instructions may include:
tradespeople
doctors
paramedics
clergy
gas monitoring
communications
technicians
mine officials
Ancillary personnel may include:
tradespeople
doctors
paramedics
clergy
gas monitoring
communications
technicians
mine officials
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
Fresh air base may be defined as:
a continuously monitored station for dispatch or return of rescue teams in close proximity to irrespirable zones in known fresh air
Atmospheric testing may include:
hand-held instruments
tube detectors
telemetric remote sampling
Fresh air base resources may include:
tradespeople
doctors
paramedics
clergy
gas monitoring
communications
technicians
mine officials
Monitoring equipment refers to portable:
electronic / chemical instruments
ventilation measuring instruments
Communications may include:
telephones
radios
runners
2-way radio
computer
Information may be logged by:
log books
duty cards
tape recorder
Atmosphere conditions may include:
temperature
humidity
noise
gas levels
dust air-borne contaminations
Incident Control:
has overall planning, approval and control of an incident
Instructions may include:
tradespeople
doctors
paramedics
clergy
gas monitoring
communications
technicians
mine officials
Ancillary personnel may include:
tradespeople
doctors
paramedics
clergy
gas monitoring
communications
technicians
mine officials
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 establishing and operating from fresh air base in underground metalliferous mines
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient establishing and operating from fresh air base in underground metalliferous mines
working with others to establish and operate from fresh air base in underground metalliferous mines that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely establishing and operating from fresh air base 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 establish and operate from fresh air base in underground metalliferous mines
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 establishing and operating from fresh air base in underground metalliferous mines
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient establishing and operating from fresh air base in underground metalliferous mines
working with others to establish and operate from fresh air base in underground metalliferous mines that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely establishing and operating from fresh air base 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 establish and operate from fresh air base in underground metalliferous mines
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| W2457 | MNMRR309A | Establish and operate from fresh air base | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH278 | RIIERR309D | Establish and operate from fresh air base | Unit of competency |