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 supporting underground shotfiring operations

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient supporting of underground shotfiring operations

working with others to undertake and complete the underground shotfiring operations that meet all of the required outcomes

consistent timely supporting of underground shotfiring operations 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 undertake and complete underground shotfiring operations

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to support underground shotfiring operations:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

apply personal and operational safety requirements

access, interpret and apply technical and environmental information

interpret geological and survey data

apply procedures for drilling to patterns

apply procedures for cleaning and testing holes

apply explosives and detonators handling requirements and procedures

identify potential hazards and manage risk

apply record maintenance requirements

use tools required to complete task

apply environmental compliance requirements

identify damaged/deteriorated explosives

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the performance criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following as required to support underground shotfiring operations:

site personnel and operational safety requirements

legislative and site shotfiring requirements

types and characteristics of explosives and protection measures associated

with their use

shotfiring techniques and procedures

explosive handling, transportation and storage requirements

shotfiring equipment characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations, site

operational and maintenance procedures

geological and survey data essential to shotfiring

site environmental requirements and constraints related to shotfiring including blast monitoring systems

physical and technical quality of explosives

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

Shotfiring requirements may include:

the nature and scope of the blasting

essential survey information

site environmental conditions

essential geological information

detailed timings for the blast preparation

detailed responsibilities

coordination requirements/issues

Geological and survey data may include:

wet or dry holes

strength of material to be shot

strength of surrounding strata

blast pattern plan

ventilation/gas data

deputies reports

details of cracking in holes

Site establishment and security may include:

warnings

sentries

area clearance/isolation/barricading

inspection and testing for gas

other legislative requirements

safety distances and control/responsibilities

Drilling equipment may include:

hand borer

air tracks

hand held drilling equipment (air, hydraulic) and machine mounted drilling equipment

Explosive inhibitor may include:

stone

dust

water

Types of explosives may include:

wet or dry

variable density

packaged free flowing

bulk

authorised explosives

Accessories may include:

detonators

shotfiring cable

stemming equipment

crack detector

flushing wand