Australasian Mine Safety is the leading voice for all key decision makers within Mining company's and major contractors. Delivering the latest industry news as it breaks.
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124 The Australasian Mine Safety Journal Summer 2011/12 Products and services banner MINING INDUCTIONS Getting the right training is vital for mining workers Training is important at any workplace but on a mine site where the safety of all workers is reliant on everyone knowing what is required, it is vital that the training is of the highest standard. In November 2011 the Queensland Chief Inspector of Coal Mines sent a letter out to all Senior Site Executives (SSEs) highlighting the requirements necessary to complete the Recognised Standard 11 – a requirement for anyone working on a surface or underground mine site. T he letter followed reports that some certifi cates had been issued without participants completing all the necessary requirements. The Australian Safety and Training Alliance (ASTA), as a member of the Resources Registered Training Organisation Association Inc (RRTO), is committed to providing all participants with the highest quality benchmark in safety and training for the mining industry. ASTA manager Keith Pitt said all ASTA Recognised Standard 11 training included classroom training provided by experienced and professional trainers with mine site experience. He said partial completion cards and a site verifi cation booklet were then issued, with site verifi cation only signed off once the on-site component was provided. Once all steps in the process are completed the RRTO Standard 11 Mine Induction results in Statements of Attainment for the following six competencies: RIIRIS201A Conduct local risk control; RIIERR205A Apply initial response First Aid; RIIOHS201A Work safely and follow OHS policies and procedures; RIIGOV201A Comply with site work processes/procedures; RIICOM201A Communicate in the workplace; and RIIERR302A Respond to local emergencies and incidents. "With the Mining Inspectorate warning that they will be checking all the Standard 11 requirements have been completed, it is important for mining supervisors and also mine workers to ensure the training they completed meets the necessary requirements," Pitt said. The RRTO Standard 11 induction is a highly interactive scenario based program delivering the underpinning knowledge for the required units of competency. Based on a "day in the life of a miner" scenario the induction covers a range of generic topics as well as activities trainees can expect to be involved in on site. These include complete drug and alcohol tests as well as participation in workgroups and essential emergency procedures and fi rst aid. For workers with mining experience, previous induction evidence and currency within the industry RPL and challenge options are also available. Site verifi cation, copies of existing qualifi cations and interviews are all part of the process however this option minimises down time from site for those persons capable of demonstrating the required knowledge, skills and experience. "In all cases individuals and contractors should confi rm induction requirements with the site they will be working on before attending an RRTO induction to ensure the process aligns with site processes and is recognised by site," he said. Pitt said people looking for quality training should also be wary of providers who offered guarantees in relation to receiving jobs or achieving the training requirements. "The mining industry is rapidly expanding and as a result there is an increasing demand for trained and qualifi ed staff, however it is imperative that people receive the right training and achieve the standards required before qualifi cations are issued. This protects their safety as well as the safety of their workmates once they get on site. It is also important that qualifi cations are recognised between sites saving time and signifi cant cost to industry" Pitt said. ASTA provides regular RRTO Standard 11 Induction training for surface and underground mines at its Brisbane and Bundaberg facilities – where accommodation is readily available, unlike many other centres where accommodation issues are limiting factors. ASTA also provides other mining training including: RRTO Standard 11 Induction Upgrade (Challenge Test); Mine Supervisors Course (formerly QMS1, QMS2, QMS3); and Safe Working at Heights and Confi ned Space Entry. For information about ASTA training programs visit www.austsafe.net.au or call 1300 966 817. Above: Australian Safety + Training Alliance manager Keith Pitt Right: The Resources RTO committee meet regularly to provide support for member RTOs.