Advice to candidate, sample exam papers and model answer

Board of Examiner’s certificate of competency written legislation examination From 1 January 2015

Advice to candidate, sample exam papers and model answer

This publication has been compiled for the Board of Examiners.

© State of Queensland, 2014.

The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY) licence.

Under this licence you are free, without having to seek our permission, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms.

You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication.

For more information on this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en

The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The Queensland Government shall not be liable for technical or other errors or omissions contained herein. The reader/user accepts all risks and responsibility for losses, damages, costs and other consequences resulting directly or indirectly from using this information.

Advice to candidates, sample exam papers and model answer

Table of contents Advice to candidates ..................................................................................................................................... 4 SSE - Section 1: situation questions ........................................................................................... 6 SSE - Section 2: short answer questions ................................................................................... 7 OCE - Section 1: situation questions ......................................................................................... 13 OCE - Section 2: short answer questions ................................................................................. 14 1CC and 2CC - Section 1: situation questions ......................................................................................... 20 1CC and 2CC - Section 2: short answer questions ................................................................................. 22 Deputy - Section 1: situation questions ......................................................................................... 26 Deputy - Section 2: short answer questions ................................................................................. 27 Model question ........................................................................................................................................... 33 Model answer ............................................................................................................................................. 33

of 36


Advice to candidates The new coal mining law exams test your ability to apply the legislation rather than just remember it. It checks whether you understand how the law is applied in day-to-day operating mines. This type of law exam has been used for first and second-class certificates of competency in underground coal mines since May 2011. The time for the exam is reduced from three hours to two. The number of questions has been reduced to suit. The changes were made as candidates were often getting high marks in the written exam, but doing very poorly in the oral. They could recite the legislation, but could not apply it to the practical situations they were examined on. Inspectors were reporting that Senior Site Executives (SSEs), who do not have an oral exam, were not familiar with the requirements of the legislation. The written examinations now focus on the knowledge that practitioners require to meet the requirements of risk-based legislation. This means study approaches have to change. Identifying the questions on the paper and learning those off by heart no longer works. The exams change regularly. This change was required as a question used for several months was changed and several candidates gave the answer for the old question, without noticing the question had changed. In order to sit for the exam you will need to study the whole of the Act and Regulations affecting the way you work from day-to-day. There are now three types of questions.

Long answer questions

Long answer questions bringing together sections from various parts of the Act and Regulations. Think about major tasks a mine official would do:

• investigate a serious accident

• involve the site safety and health representative (SSHR) to achieve the objects of the Act

• carry out inspections in a working section

• carry out shotfiring activities.

There are many sections of the legislation that apply. To guide the candidate, we provide prompts. For example, the sample paper for Underground Mine Managers has a question about SSHRs. The prompts ask about their powers and functions, their competencies and responsibility for their training. It asks, what arrangements must be made if they are not available and what must they do if they are not satisfied with the response from an SSE. Please carefully read all questions. The actual exam question might ask about what an SSHR must be told or how their identity must be displayed. Do not rely on what other people tell you was in previous papers. Each of the parts of the question needs to be answered to get full marks. Do not add unnecessary information on the topic as you will not get extra marks. We work on a sampling principle. A question like this example could also be asked in an SSE, Open Cut Examiner (OCE) or deputy exam, but will focus on the way people in the specific position apply the law. As we now change the exam papers regularly, you need to know the whole legislation to have a good chance of passing.

of 36


Short answer questions

There are also about 30 short answer questions. We have tried to reduce the amount of writing required. A few of the questions may be multiple choice or just ask for a few words to complete a section of the legislation. There are sample example papers on the DNRM web site. It is important to read the whole question. The examination asks questions that apply to the position being examined. It is important to understand the obligations of the position. For example, a deputy or OCE candidate needs to know about the content of inspections. If the obligations says a holder of a deputy’s certificate must be present when hot work is being carried, expect questions about hot work. While the underground mine manager (UMM) must give the notice to the inspector, a deputy would be expected to know the risk assessment referred to in the notice must be carried out before the hot work is started. The deputy would also be expected to know the notice exists and may be involved in preparing it. Many sections of the regulation require actions by the SSE or another particular person, such as the ventilation officer or ERZ Controller. Candidates are expected to know about these requirements if they affect their position. The SSE has obligations around reporting an accident and not interfering with the site. An ERZ Controller or OCE will be involved in that process and is expected to know what the primary information requirements are when the initial report is made to the SSE. The purpose of the exam is to see if the law that applies to the position is known. When studying for the exam, do it from the perspective of being a person doing that position To study for the exam, look at the plans and notices that are displayed to comply with the legislation. How is that position involved in either displaying or reading those notices? Watch how a current person doing the position currently carries out an inspection. The best place to study for this exam is in a well-managed mine.

of 36


SSE - Section 1: situation questions Total marks in this section – 65. Marks required in this section – 45 Time allowed for whole paper – 2 hours Paper SSE - 2W

Question 1: Management structure What information about senior positions must be included in the documented management structure? How is a supervisor defined? What requirements must be met before a person is assigned the tasks of a supervisor? Give three examples of people who must have specified qualifications or competencies before being appointed to a position. What is the meaning of competence, as defined in the Act? (20 marks) Under what circumstances must an SSE be replaced when absent? What responsibilities does the replacement SSE have to take on? (5 marks)

Total possible marks 25

Question 2: Notices List 5 notices that must be given to an inspector. You may include notices that must be given before action is taken or reports that must be made after something has happened. Indicate whether these must be given verbally or in writing or both and any time limits that the legislation sets. Who must give the notice? What must the notice state?

Up to 5 marks each. Total possible marks – 25

Question 3: Fitness for work You are reviewing the fitness for work provisions at an operating mine. The safety and health management system must provide for certain things about personal fatigue for persons at the mine. What provisions are required? (5 marks) What consultation is required? How must disagreements about assessment criteria be handled? What arrangements must be made if agreement cannot be reached? (5 marks) If information is given or obtained about a person’s fitness for work, what restrictions apply to the use of that information? For how long must records be kept about fitness for work? How does this differ for different types of employees? (5 marks)

Total possible marks – 15

of 36


SSE - Section 2: short answer questions 1 Who does the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 apply to?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 3

2 List two ways in which the objects of the act are achieved in relation to rescue and emergency response

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

3 If a Recognised Standard states a way of achieving an acceptable level of risk, how can a person discharge their obligation? (Select one option)

a) only by following the way stated in the recognised standard b) adopting and following a way that achieves a level of risk that is equal to or better than the

way stated in the recognised standard c) by choosing any appropriate way to discharge the person’s safety and health obligation in

relation to the risk d) by taking reasonable precautions, and exercising proper diligence

Marks - 4

4 Which of the following are on-site activities? (Mark those that are) a) activities carried on principally for winning coal b) activities carried on principally for exploring for coal c) airborne geophysical surveys d) treating coal and disposing of waste substances e) rehabilitating a place after coal mining operations f) transporting product from a coal mine on public roads g) maintaining and testing plant, equipment or machinery in connection with exploring for

coal h) constructing and installing surface railways

Marks – 8

5 What is the meaning of “Serious Accident”?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

of 36


6 How do you decide if the level of risk is within acceptable limits?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

7 What level of risk must operations be carried out at for the level of risk to be acceptable?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

8 List 5 of the obligations of a site senior executive for a coal mine?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 5

9 Under what circumstances must an operator appoint a person to act as an SSE during an absence?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

10 When must the SSE appoint a person to perform a person's duties who is temporarily absent?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

11 What are the requirements if it is proposed to review a principal hazard management plan at an operating coal mine?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

of 36


12 List 2 actions that a site safety and health representative must take immediately if an inspection indicates the existence or possible existence of danger?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

13 How soon must a verbal notification be given to an ISHR about a high potential incident (Select one option)

a) As soon as practicable after the SSE becomes aware b) Within 24 hours c) Within 48 hours after the incident happened d) Within 48 hours after the SSE became aware

Marks - 2

14 List 4 things that must be done before an accident site is interfered with

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 4

15 What rights does a coal mine worker have if they believe that their safety and health is in immediate danger?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 4

16 For how long must the information and data on which a risk assessment was based be kept at the mine?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

of 36


17 What is the purpose of consulting a cross section of the mineworkers involved in carrying out the task when a standard operating procedure is being developed?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

18 Where must a copy of the current standard operating procedure for a particular activity at the mine be kept?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

19 What must be tested by the emergency exercises conducted as part of a mine’s SHMS?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

20 Give an example of an appropriate way that a visitor's fitness level for self escape may be assessed

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

21 What must an SSE ensure regarding PPE given to a visitor?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

22 When must seat belts be fitted to mobile plant?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

23 In addition to assessments, what two other things must the SHMS provide for about alcohol consumption for people at the mine?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

of 36


24 If agreement cannot be reached on the assessment criteria for fitness provision due to drugs, what criteria apply?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

25 How often must a health assessment be carried out for a person who is employed at a coal mine?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

26 What must the SSE ensure regarding refresher training?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 4

27 When must the SHMS make provisions for minimising the person’s risk of injury from falling

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

28 What provisions must be made for controlling risks near a body of water at the mine if a risk assessment identifies a risk of a person drowning?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

29 Who may give technical directions to an Open Cut Examiner?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

of 36


30 Who may make a recommendation to the Commissioner that a prosecution be commenced? (Mark all correct options)

a) A Site Senior Executive b) An Industry Safety and Health Representative c) An inspector d) Any coal mine worker

Marks – 4

of 36


OCE - Section 1: situation questions Total marks in this section – 90. Marks required in this section – 63. Time allowed for whole paper – 2 hours Paper OCE - 2W

Question 1: Strata failure There has been a strata failure where a highwall has collapsed, placing 3000 cubic metres of rock within 25 metres of where an excavator was working. Fortunately no one was injured. The excavator operator pulled the machine back about 75 metres and all of the trucks are now at least 100 metres away from the collapse. There is still some dribbling of material on the end of the collapse furthest away from where the machinery was working. As OCE you have been contacted.

• What steps would you take? (5 marks) • Who will have to be notified? Who must they notify? (5 marks) • What information will they require when they make that notification? (5 marks) • What steps must be taken before activities can resume in that part of the mine? (5 marks) • What reports must be prepared? What must the reports include? Who must the report be given

to? Who else must be told about the things contained in the report? (10 marks) Total possible marks 30

Question 2: Inspections As an OCE, list 10 requirements of the legislation which apply to your inspection of the part of the mine between an operating excavator and a tip? The question does not apply to the area around the excavator. When and how often must the inspections be carried out? Who else must carry out inspections in this part of the mine? Consider arrangements for fire, injury, fixed and mobile plant that is likely to be operating in that part of the mine.


Question 3: Unplanned discharge of explosives You are an OCE at an open cut operation and have just arrived for your shift. The drill and blast engineer informs you an unplanned explosion has occurred in a coal shot that was being prepared. The report at this time is that no persons were in the vicinity at the time of the premature explosion. What action would you take, if it has not already been taken? You will be expected to inspect the site and investigate the incident. The SSE and mining manager are both away from site and have as yet not been informed. What action would you take? Consider the safety of the mine, activities that can and cannot be undertaken, reporting requirements, investigations, ongoing safety and resumption of operations.


of 36


OCE - Section 2: short answer questions

31 What are the objects of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 3

32 What is the meaning of “Standard Operating Procedure”?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 4

33 What is the meaning of High Potential Incident?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 4

34 Who is a supervisor, as defined in the Act?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 4

35 When is risk from coal mining operations at an acceptable level?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

of 36


36 What level of risk must operations be carried out at for the level of risk to be acceptable?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

37 What is required to happen if the level of risk is unacceptable?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 3

38 How can obligations be discharged if no regulation or recognised standards made?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 3

39 Under the Act, which person has the obligation to train workers so that they are competent to perform their duties?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

40 What are the requirements if it is proposed to review a principal hazard management plan at an operating coal mine?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

41 List the 5 matters that must be kept in a mine record.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 5

of 36


42 How must copies of reports of inspections carried out under the Act be displayed at the mine?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

43 Under what circumstances could the site of an accident causing serious bodily injury to a person be disturbed before permission has been obtained from an inspector?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

44 What information about SOPs must be kept in a location that is easily accessible by each coal mine worker at the mine?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

45 Who must be included in the investigation of accidents or incidents for a surface mine?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 3

46 How must the assessment criteria be established for fatigue?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

47 What must the SHMS provide for to deal with a person’s current use of medication that could impair the person’s ability to carry out the person’s duties at the mine

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

of 36


48 How can the results of assessments about a person’s consumption of alcohol, or use of drugs be used?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

49 List 6 things the standard operating procedure must address when dealing with hazardous substances.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 6

50 What training provisions must be included in the Standard Operating Procedure for personal protective equipment?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

51 How often must the check for hazards on fixed and mobile plant used at the mine be carried out?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

52 Who must carry out the check for hazards on fixed and mobile plant used at the mine?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

53 When must the warning system on mobile plant operate?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

of 36


54 List 4 matters that the mine isolation, lockout and tagging procedures must provide

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 4

55 Who must be given refresher training?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 4

56 What must be done if the average concentration of respirable dust in the atmosphere can not be reduced to the levels stated in the regulation?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

57 What are the requirements regarding an Open Cut Examiner being present when mining activities are being carried out in or around the surface excavation?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

58 When must an open cut examiner inspect a surface mine excavation and the part of the mine near the excavation where activities, including mining activities, are to be, or are being carried out?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

of 36


59 What must the Open Cut Examiner do prior to carrying out an inspection?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

60 List 6 mandatory standard operating procedures for the use of explosives in a surface coal mine.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 6

of 36


1CC and 2CC - Section 1: situation questions Total marks in this section – 80. Marks required in this section – 56. Time allowed for whole paper – 2 hours Paper 1CC - 2W

1. Discuss the role of the site safety and health representatives. In your answer, include their powers and functions, what they must be told, how they are selected, their competencies and responsibility for their training. What arrangements may be made if they are not available when required? What must they do if they are not satisfied that necessary action has been taken?

20 Marks

2. What are standard operating procedures? List 10 that are required under the regulation. What provisions are required in one of these 10?

In your answer discuss the process for preparing an SOP. Who must be involved? What happens if agreement cannot be reached? Where must SOPs be kept?

20 Marks

3. On the main plan of the mine workings show the location of all gas monitoring points which are required under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001. (Plan will be provided, if this type of question is included – see note)

Auxiliary fans are located at the points marked (F). Development units are marked (DEV). A longwall face is operating in the section marked (LW). The Upcast Shaft is marked UC. Mark the places with a (C) where continuous monitoring of the mine atmosphere is required to detect methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and oxygen. Mark the places with a (P) where continuous monitoring, using the mine’s gas monitoring system, is required to detect products of combustion in the mine atmosphere. Mark the places with an (S) where the safety and health management system must provide for sampling of the mine atmosphere, using the mine’s gas monitoring system; and Mark the places with an (M) where an automatic methane detector must be located. There is no need to indicate detectors on mobile equipment powered by battery or internal combustion engines.

40 Marks

Note about questions dealing with plans: If a question refers to a plan, the plan will be based on a realistic mine plan. It will be A3 size. For this type of question, intake and return airways and conveyor roadways will be indicated. The objective of the question is to see if the candidate can locate the required items on a realistic mine layout. This question does not test the candidate’s skill in ventilation or mine design, but does test the application of legislation.

of 36


Plan will be professionally drawn, but very basic layout to test understanding.

of 36


1CC and 2CC - Section 2: short answer questions Paper 2W

1. What is the meaning of “Serious Accident”?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

2. Who is a supervisor, as defined in the Act?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 5

3. What level of risk must operations be carried out at for the level of risk to be acceptable?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

4. How do you decide if the level of risk is within acceptable limits?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

5. How can obligations be discharged if no regulation or recognised standards made?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 3

of 36


6. What activities may be carried out in an underground mine when only one escapeway is available for use?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

7. List 5 of the obligations of a site senior executive for a coal mine?

Marks: 5

8. When must the SSE appoint a person to perform a person's duties who is temporarily absent?

Marks: 2

9. Under what circumstances must an operator appoint a person to act as an SSE during an absence?

Marks: 1

10. What conditions must be satisfied for a person to be appropriate to appointed as a Ventilation Officer?

Marks: 3

11. What must a Principal Hazard Management Plan do? Marks: 2

12. List 4 things that must be done before an accident site is interfered with

Marks: 4

13. What rights does a coal mine worker have if they believe that their safety and health is in immediate danger?

Marks: 4

14. Where must a copy of the current standard operating procedure for a particular activity at the mine be kept?

Marks: 2

15. List 5 positions where a person appointed to carry out specific duties at a mine must have recognised competencies

Marks: 5

16. What must be tested by the emergency exercises conducted as part of a mine’s SHMS?

Marks: 2

17. List 5 matters that the mine's safety and health management system must provide for regarding fire?

Marks: 5

of 36


18. List 4 requirements to be included in the safety and health management system regarding personal fatigue.

Marks: 4

19. What assessments must be included in the system to manage the risk associated with the use of drugs at the mine?

Marks: 3

20. When must a health assessment be carried out for a person who is to be employed at a coal mine?

Marks: 1

21. When must the pre-start warning system on mobile plant operate?

Marks: 1

22. What action must a Site Senior Executive take when they become aware that certified equipment used at the mine does not meet certification requirements or is likely to create an unacceptable level of risk

Marks: 3

23. Who must be given refresher training? Marks: 4

24. How often must a worker holding a supervisory position at the mine be given refresher training?

Marks: 1

25. What must be done if the average concentration of respirable dust in the atmosphere can not be reduced to the levels stated in the regulation?

Marks: 2

26. List four things that the fire officer is responsible for at an underground coal mine.

Marks: 4

27. How often must the operation of each airlock installed for an entrance at the mine be tested, other than pressure tested?

Marks: 1

28. What details must be recorded about the temporary use of a self rescuer at a mine?

Marks: 3

29. When must the emergency response strategies for mines rescue services be capable of implementation?

Marks: 1

of 36


30. What are the requirements for power supply and electrical components in an underground mine's telephone system?

Marks: 2

of 36


Deputy - Section 1: situation questions Total marks in this section – 70. Marks required in this section – 49. Time allowed for whole paper – 2 hours Paper DEP - 2W

Question 1: Inspections by ERZ Controller List the inspections, checks and tests that you would make when inspecting a continuous miner panel in an underground mine. Include 15 items that you would inspect, test or check. Consider the items in Schedule 5 and elsewhere in the regulation. For each item, suggest an expected value that indicates a normal condition and value that indicates that further investigation is needed. Follow the examples given in this box:

1: Oxygen content in air Normal is above 20%, up to 21% Below 19% means that people must be withdrawn from the place.

2: Travelling surface of roadways Normal is dry, very little dust from vehicles, level surface Road may need to be watered if there is too much dust from vehicles. Pumping may be required to keep the roadway dry. Potholes need to be repaired soon after they first appear.

2 marks are given for each item that must be inspected, 1 more for the normal or expected values and 1 more for the value that causes concern. Total possible marks 40

Question 2: Gas monitoring List 5 places in a longwall section where gas monitoring must be installed. Include the whole of the maingate and tailgate as part of the section. What gases must be monitored at each of these points? What levels are set in the regulation and what action must be taken when these levels are reached? 2 marks are given for each location, 1 more for each gas that is listed correctly, up to 10 marks, 1 more for the level set in the regulation (up to 5) and 1 more for the action that must be taken (up to 5). Total possible marks 30.

of 36


Deputy - Section 2: short answer questions 1 What are the objects of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act

1999? __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 3

2 What is the meaning of “Standard Operating Procedure”? __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 4

3 What is the meaning of High Potential Incident? __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 4

4 Who is a supervisor, as defined in the Act? __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 4

5 When is risk from coal mining operations at an acceptable level? __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

of 36


6 What level of risk must operations be carried out at for the level of risk to be acceptable? __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

7 What is required to happen if the level of risk is unacceptable? __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 3

8 Under the Act, which person has the obligation to train workers so that they are competent to perform their duties?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

9 What must a Principal Hazard Management Plan do? __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

10 How must copies of reports of inspections carried out under the Act be displayed at the mine? __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

11 Under what circumstances could the site of an accident causing serious bodily injury to a person be disturbed before permission has been obtained from an inspector?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

of 36


12 You have been authorised to conduct a search for contraband and a person refuse to be searched, what must the person who has refused do?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

13 You have asked a coal mine worker to carry out a task. The coal mine worker refused because of concerns about safety. You believe that there is no immediate personal danger and you require another person to do the same task, what must you do and not do?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 3

14 What information about SOPs must be kept in a location that is easily accessible by each coal mine worker at the mine?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

15 In an underground mine, if it is not practicable to involve the ERZ Controller responsible for the zone who was on duty when the accident or incident happened, who else must be involved in an accident investigation?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

16 Name three activities where the regulation states that provisions must be made for the use of Personal Protective Equipment

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 3

17 Who must be consulted in developing the fitness for work provisions? __________________________________________________________________________

Marks: 1

of 36


18 What must the SHMS provide for to deal with a person’s current use of medication that could impair the person’s ability to carry out the person’s duties at the mine

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

19 Where must the Register of Hazardous Substances be kept? __________________________________________________________________________

Marks: 1

20 What provisions must be included in the Standard Operating Procedure for using hazardous substances?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 8

21 What training provisions must be included in the Standard Operating Procedure for personal protective equipment?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

22 At what concentration, detected by an automatic methane detector on a longwall shearer, must the electricity supply to the cutters be automatically tripped? (Circle the right choice) a) 1% b) 1.25% c) 2% d) 2.50%

Marks 2

of 36


23 What must happen if the methane concentration in the general body around a longwall shearer reaches 1%? (Circle the right choice) a) The detector must automatically activate a visible alarm b) The electricity supply to the cutters must trip automatically c) The operator must trip the power to the machine d) All power to the face must be switched off

Marks 2

24 Where must the visual alarm be visible when the automatic methane detector located in the intake airway at the interface between a NERZ and an ERZ1 detects the prescribed concentration of methane in the general body? (Circle the right choice) a) at the interface b) at a place on the surface that is attended while people are underground c) at the place on the surface where people assemble before going underground d) a place close to each switchgear used to isolate or control sections of the underground main

electricity distribution system Marks 2

25 Who must carry out the check for hazards on fixed and mobile plant used at the mine? __________________________________________________________________________

Marks: 1

26 How often must the check for hazards on fixed and mobile plant used at the mine be carried out?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 2

27 List 5 matters that must be provided for in the mine's training scheme __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 5

of 36


28 How often must a worker holding a certificate of competency be given refresher training under a mine's training scheme?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

29 What details of exposure to dust in the atmosphere must be monitored and recorded? __________________________________________________________________________

Marks: 1

30 In addition to other checks and inspections, who must carry out a check and examination of each coal mine worker’s specific work area at an underground coal mine?

__________________________________________________________________________ Marks: 1

of 36


Model question

Consultation List 4 matters that the SSE must consult with coal mine workers about. For each of the four, say whether the cross-section is drawn from those doing the task or from the whole workforce. For each of the four, say whether any part must be agreed to by a majority of the workers at the mine. For each of the four, indicate what must happen if there is a disagreement with the cross-section. For those where agreement with the workforce is necessary, what must happen if that agreement cannot be reached?

Model answer You can pick any four of these:

Reg 10 – Preparing an SOP Reg 41 - Developing fitness provisions for alcohol Reg 42 – Developing fitness provisions for personal fatigue and other physical and psychological impairment, and drugs Reg 171 - Trigger points for emergency evacuation Reg 368 – Search provisions Reg 369 - Heat stress management provisions Act 64 - Review of principal hazard management plans and standard operating procedures

Preparing an SOP

Nature of cross section mine’s coal mine workers involved in carrying out a task under the proposed standard operating procedure

Requirement for agreement of majority of workforce Not required

Procedure for disagreement SSE to seek advice from expert or recognised text Consult again about additional advice If still no agreement, SSE to decide Disagreed matters to be recorded Agreed matters to be included

If agreement cannot be reached with workforce Not required

of 36


Developing fitness provisions for alcohol

Nature of cross section representatives of the mine’s coal mine workers




Developing fitness provisions for personal fatigue and other physical and psychological impairment (but not drugs)

Nature of cross section Develop fitness provisions in consultation with a cross-section of workers at the mine.

Requirement for agreement of majority of workforce Establish the criteria for the assessment in agreement with a majority of workers at the mine

Procedure for disagreement SSE to seek advice from expert or recognised text Consult again about additional advice Disagreed matters to be recorded Agreed matters to be included

If agreement cannot be reached with workforce Keep trying

Developing fitness provisions for the improper use of drugs

Nature of cross section Develop fitness provisions in consultation with a cross-section of workers at the mine

Requirement for agreement of majority of workforce must make a reasonable attempt to establish the criteria for the assessment in agreement with a majority of workers at the mine

Procedure for disagreement SSE to seek advice from expert or recognised text Consult again about additional advice Disagreed matters to be recorded Agreed matters to be included

of 36


If agreement cannot be reached with workforce the criteria for assessment stated in a recognised standard apply until an agreement is reached

Trigger points for emergency evacuation




If agreement cannot be reached with workforce Not required. Individuals retain right to withdraw from place they regard as unsafe.

Search provisions




If agreement cannot be reached with workforce Not necessary

Heat stress management provisions

Nature of cross section Not only those involved in carrying out the task


Procedure for disagreement SSE to seek advice from expert or recognised text Consult again about additional advice

of 36


Disagreed matters to be recorded Agreed matters to be included


Review of principal hazard management plans and standard operating procedures

Nature of cross section with coal mine workers affected by the plans and operating procedures

Requirement for agreement of majority of workforce None. Consultation defined in act as “discussion with intention of reaching agreement.”

Procedure for disagreement None


of 36

Advice to candidate, sample exam papers and model answer

Documents

Transcript of Advice to candidate, sample exam papers and model answer