Mine air quality officer course objective
Mine operators have a duty to establish and implement a mine safety management system (MSMS) for the mine. A health management plan (HMP) is one of the key component of an MSMS.
Under schedule 26 of the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 (WHS Mines Regulations) a mine air quality officer (MAQO) must be appointed if a hazard identified at the mine under the MSMS for the mine includes exposing workers to airborne contaminants, heat or humidity.
One of the roles of a MAQO is to advise the mine operator on the status of air quality and steps to be taken to reduce exposures; plan and carry out monitoring to verify control effectiveness and report results of the monitoring.
The eligibility criteria for appointment include:
- completion of an approved course about sampling and assessing airborne contaminants
- completion of an approved WHS risk management unit
- pass the mining legislation exam.
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The course and assessment for the MAQO should be conducted over a five-day period, (excludes any pre-reading or preparation).
Upon successful completion of the MAQO course the person should have sufficient theoretical and practical skills to:
- identify atmospheric hazards
- develop a sampling plan
- select an appropriate method to measure the hazard
- deploy that measuring device
- maintain records relating to the sampling, compare results to applicable exposure standards
- interpret the results and advise others or prepare reports on the results.
The MAQO course must cover the following:
- role of MAQO, such as obligations, accountability and applicable legislation
- exposure standards, i.e. types, shift adjustments, information sources
- hazard identification, such as routes of exposures (basics only), hazards for workers and hazards to self
- safety data sheets and other sources of information on atmospheric hazards
- sampling techniques for dusts and fibres (predominantly practical)
- sampling techniques for gases and vapours (predominately practical)
- testing temperature and humidity and basic ventilation assessments, but not design of ventilation systems
- biological monitoring, awareness only to compliment atmospheric testing
- learn how to submit sample results and deal with exceedances.
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Where possible, the course should be aligned to the following national units of competency may be appropriate.
- MSS025009 Perform sampling and testing of air
- MSS027007 Coordinate air quality management activities.
Participants must be able demonstrate competency in each of the following elements.
Sampling and testing of air
- Confirm air sampling and testing requirements
- determine and select appropriate sampling methodologies selected based on the workplace hazards and the sampling plan (theory)
- Confirm air sampling and testing requirements
- ensure calibration and maintenance of monitoring instruments are conducted (theory and practical)
- Conduct sampling of air
- select and deploy air monitoring equipment correctly (practical)
- follow standard operating procedures for air quality sampling (theory and practical)
- maintain accurate records of sampling activities (theory and practical)
- Process and interpret air data
- understand legislative requirements and obligations relating to the role (theory)
- identify correct exposure standards and interpret hazard information sources such as safety data sheets (theory)
- identify compliant, exceedance, invalid or anomaly results to the MAQO (theory)
- submit sample results to the mine worker exposure database on Safety Regulation System (SRS) (theory).
Air quality management activities (MAQO)
- Organise air quality management activities
- recognise common airborne contaminants in mining environments, such as dust, fibres, gases, vapours, humidity, thermal conditions (theory)
- understand sources of airborne contaminants, health risks, routes of entry and similar exposure groups (SEGs) (theory)
- develop and implement a sampling plan to ensure that sufficient samples are collected to identify if a risk is present or to confirm that controls are effective, for example introduction to sampling statistics (theory)
- ensure that personnel who conduct sampling, monitoring and/or field testing are competent to undertake their assigned tasks (theory)
- Analyse and interpret air quality data
- compare sample results against exposure standards including shift adjusted standards (theory)
- identify trends, anomalies, and non-compliances (theory)
- Investigate or rectify unexpected or unacceptable results
- investigate and recommend corrective actions to mitigate exposure risks following hierarchy of controls (theory)
- document findings in accordance with WHS Mines Regulations
- submit exceedance investigation report and action plan to the SRS mine worker exposure database (theory)
- Keep management informed about air quality
- requirement to communicate findings and recommendations to site management (theory)
- requirement to communicate results and findings to frontline personnel (theory)
- Maintain air quality records
- recognise that accurate records of air quality data are to be maintained and accessible to authorised personnel (theory).
Conclusion
The structured performance criteria are to ensure that MAQO are competent to collect quality atmospheric samples or conduct tests. Additionally, they will have the skills to identify airborne hazards, design, and implement a sampling program, interpret results and communicate results to others.
It is expected that a significant component of the course will involve practical assessments. The theoretical assessment can be a combination of multiple-choice questions (i.e. yes/no, true/false) or short answer responses and should be no more than 3 hours. Results typically will be available within a few days. Supplementary exams are permitted, however coaching for or during the exam is strictly forbidden.
To be successful in completing the course, you must be an active participation in all classes and exercises, demonstration of competency for all practical exercises and achieve at least 80% in the theoretical exam.
