Assessor Resource

RIIBLA303D
Conduct underground development shotfiring

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct underground development shotfiring in Metalliferous mining.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

No licensing, legislation or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

1 Plan and prepare

1.1 Access, interpret and apply underground development shotfiring documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant

1.2 Obtain, confirm and apply Blasting Management Plan and blast plan requirements

1.3 Identify, manage and report all potential hazards, risks and environmental issues

1.4 Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the work activities

1.5 Obtain and interpret emergency procedures and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency

1.6 Coordinate vehicle, equipment and personnel support

1.7 Arrange and/or ensure survey of blast area is complete and reported to appropriate personnel and records are maintained

1.8 Access, interpret and apply geological data required

1.9 Carry out calculations to enable pattern design, loading and tying in of shots

1.10 Identify and confirm the explosives and accessories required

2 Supervise the store and transport explosives and accessories

2.1 Ensure explosives and accessories are safely and correctly stored

2.2 Ensure inventory control systems are accurately and correctly maintained

2.3 Ensure explosives and accessories are transported to blast area and segregate correctly

2.4 Ensure that explosives are not left unattended

2.5 Identify and dispose of any deteriorated or out of date explosives and accessories correctly

3 Prepare for charging

3.1 Identify, manage and report potential hazards and risks

3.2 Secure blast area in accordance with procedures and blast plan

3.3 Establish and communicate access routes to shot area for authorised persons and vehicle

3.4 Identify hole locations and any non-conforming conditions in preparation for charging

3.5 Set up charging equipment in accordance with site procedures

3.6 Prepare holes for charging in accordance with blast plan

4 Charge holes

4.1 Supervise blast personnel during loading operations

4.2 Prime and charge holes in accordance with the blast plan

4.3 Ensure blast holes are charged in accordance with loading plan and identify non-conforming conditions

4.4 Ensure blast holes are stemmed in accordance with blast plan

4.5 Clear the area of equipment, personnel and isolate/barricade the blast area, including warning signs

4.6 Test equipment and accessories

4.7 Maintain written records

4.8 Conduct blast monitoring

5 Conduct the blast

5.1 Carry out pre blasting procedures and establish exclusion zone

5.2 Carry out tying in, in accordance with the blast plan

5.3 Supervise all personnel within the blast area during tie-in and initiation

5.4 Initiate the blast appropriately

5.5 Carry out and record activities

6 Complete post blast activities

6.1 Carry out post blast inspection

6.2 Secure firing circuits and initiation device

6.3 Report blasting has been completed to relevant personnel

6.4 Carry out post-blast coordination and declare area safe for re-entry

6.5 Inspect site and deal with non-conformities including misfires

6.6 Identify and dispose of surplus, damaged and deteriorated explosives and detonators

6.7 Ensure that emergency services are advised of the disposal activities

6.8 Complete written reports

7 Carry out equipment maintenance

7.1 Carry out inspection and required maintenance during and after shotfiring operations

7.2 Maintain written maintenance records

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies relevant documentation, policies and procedures

works effectively with others to undertake and complete underground development shotfiring operations that meet all of the required outcomes including:

complying with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions

communicating clearly and concisely with others to resolve coordination requirements prior to commencing and during work activities

demonstrates completion of conducting underground development shotfiring that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

planning and preparing for shotfiring

supervising the storage and transport of explosives and accessories

preparing for charging and charge holes

conducting the blast

completing post-blast activities

carrying out equipment maintenance

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in conducting underground development shotfiring:

Australian standards and code of practice

explosives and safety and health legislation

site geological information

types, physical and technical characteristics, uses and limitations of explosives and protection measures associated with their use

initiation systems

delayed blasts

cause and management of misfires

non-conforming conditions

non-conformities

explosives disposal methods

blasting management plan requirements

planning processes

equipment characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations

selection of appropriate explosives to meet site/ground conditions

monitoring and review processes and techniques

An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing: and,

this unit is best assessed in the context of this sector’s 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 this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills; and,

this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,

assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,

assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,

where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,

assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:

Industry sector

AQF** Level

Required assessor or Industry subject matter expert experience

Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction

1

1 Year

2

2 Years

Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying)

3-6

3 Years

Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction

3-6

5 Years

Other sectors

Where this Unit is being assessed outside of the Resources and Infrastructure Sectors assessor and/or Industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no Industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation.

*Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within Industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the Unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to Industry by conducting frequent site assessments across various locations.

**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

1 Plan and prepare

1.1 Access, interpret and apply underground development shotfiring documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant

1.2 Obtain, confirm and apply Blasting Management Plan and blast plan requirements

1.3 Identify, manage and report all potential hazards, risks and environmental issues

1.4 Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the work activities

1.5 Obtain and interpret emergency procedures and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency

1.6 Coordinate vehicle, equipment and personnel support

1.7 Arrange and/or ensure survey of blast area is complete and reported to appropriate personnel and records are maintained

1.8 Access, interpret and apply geological data required

1.9 Carry out calculations to enable pattern design, loading and tying in of shots

1.10 Identify and confirm the explosives and accessories required

2 Supervise the store and transport explosives and accessories

2.1 Ensure explosives and accessories are safely and correctly stored

2.2 Ensure inventory control systems are accurately and correctly maintained

2.3 Ensure explosives and accessories are transported to blast area and segregate correctly

2.4 Ensure that explosives are not left unattended

2.5 Identify and dispose of any deteriorated or out of date explosives and accessories correctly

3 Prepare for charging

3.1 Identify, manage and report potential hazards and risks

3.2 Secure blast area in accordance with procedures and blast plan

3.3 Establish and communicate access routes to shot area for authorised persons and vehicle

3.4 Identify hole locations and any non-conforming conditions in preparation for charging

3.5 Set up charging equipment in accordance with site procedures

3.6 Prepare holes for charging in accordance with blast plan

4 Charge holes

4.1 Supervise blast personnel during loading operations

4.2 Prime and charge holes in accordance with the blast plan

4.3 Ensure blast holes are charged in accordance with loading plan and identify non-conforming conditions

4.4 Ensure blast holes are stemmed in accordance with blast plan

4.5 Clear the area of equipment, personnel and isolate/barricade the blast area, including warning signs

4.6 Test equipment and accessories

4.7 Maintain written records

4.8 Conduct blast monitoring

5 Conduct the blast

5.1 Carry out pre blasting procedures and establish exclusion zone

5.2 Carry out tying in, in accordance with the blast plan

5.3 Supervise all personnel within the blast area during tie-in and initiation

5.4 Initiate the blast appropriately

5.5 Carry out and record activities

6 Complete post blast activities

6.1 Carry out post blast inspection

6.2 Secure firing circuits and initiation device

6.3 Report blasting has been completed to relevant personnel

6.4 Carry out post-blast coordination and declare area safe for re-entry

6.5 Inspect site and deal with non-conformities including misfires

6.6 Identify and dispose of surplus, damaged and deteriorated explosives and detonators

6.7 Ensure that emergency services are advised of the disposal activities

6.8 Complete written reports

7 Carry out equipment maintenance

7.1 Carry out inspection and required maintenance during and after shotfiring operations

7.2 Maintain written maintenance records

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies relevant documentation, policies and procedures

works effectively with others to undertake and complete underground development shotfiring operations that meet all of the required outcomes including:

complying with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions

communicating clearly and concisely with others to resolve coordination requirements prior to commencing and during work activities

demonstrates completion of conducting underground development shotfiring that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

planning and preparing for shotfiring

supervising the storage and transport of explosives and accessories

preparing for charging and charge holes

conducting the blast

completing post-blast activities

carrying out equipment maintenance

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in conducting underground development shotfiring:

Australian standards and code of practice

explosives and safety and health legislation

site geological information

types, physical and technical characteristics, uses and limitations of explosives and protection measures associated with their use

initiation systems

delayed blasts

cause and management of misfires

non-conforming conditions

non-conformities

explosives disposal methods

blasting management plan requirements

planning processes

equipment characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations

selection of appropriate explosives to meet site/ground conditions

monitoring and review processes and techniques

An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing: and,

this unit is best assessed in the context of this sector’s 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 this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills; and,

this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,

assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,

assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,

where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,

assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:

Industry sector

AQF** Level

Required assessor or Industry subject matter expert experience

Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction

1

1 Year

2

2 Years

Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying)

3-6

3 Years

Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction

3-6

5 Years

Other sectors

Where this Unit is being assessed outside of the Resources and Infrastructure Sectors assessor and/or Industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no Industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation.

*Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within Industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the Unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to Industry by conducting frequent site assessments across various locations.

**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Access, interpret and apply underground development shotfiring documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant 
Obtain, confirm and apply Blasting Management Plan and blast plan requirements 
Identify, manage and report all potential hazards, risks and environmental issues 
Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the work activities 
Obtain and interpret emergency procedures and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency 
Coordinate vehicle, equipment and personnel support 
Arrange and/or ensure survey of blast area is complete and reported to appropriate personnel and records are maintained 
Access, interpret and apply geological data required 
Carry out calculations to enable pattern design, loading and tying in of shots 
Identify and confirm the explosives and accessories required 
Ensure explosives and accessories are safely and correctly stored 
Ensure inventory control systems are accurately and correctly maintained 
Ensure explosives and accessories are transported to blast area and segregate correctly 
Ensure that explosives are not left unattended 
Identify and dispose of any deteriorated or out of date explosives and accessories correctly 
Identify, manage and report potential hazards and risks 
Secure blast area in accordance with procedures and blast plan 
Establish and communicate access routes to shot area for authorised persons and vehicle 
Identify hole locations and any non-conforming conditions in preparation for charging 
Set up charging equipment in accordance with site procedures 
Prepare holes for charging in accordance with blast plan 
Supervise blast personnel during loading operations 
Prime and charge holes in accordance with the blast plan 
Ensure blast holes are charged in accordance with loading plan and identify non-conforming conditions 
Ensure blast holes are stemmed in accordance with blast plan 
Clear the area of equipment, personnel and isolate/barricade the blast area, including warning signs 
Test equipment and accessories 
Maintain written records 
Conduct blast monitoring 
Carry out pre blasting procedures and establish exclusion zone 
Carry out tying in, in accordance with the blast plan 
Supervise all personnel within the blast area during tie-in and initiation 
Initiate the blast appropriately 
Carry out and record activities 
Carry out post blast inspection 
Secure firing circuits and initiation device 
Report blasting has been completed to relevant personnel 
Carry out post-blast coordination and declare area safe for re-entry 
Inspect site and deal with non-conformities including misfires 
Identify and dispose of surplus, damaged and deteriorated explosives and detonators 
Ensure that emergency services are advised of the disposal activities 
Complete written reports 
Carry out inspection and required maintenance during and after shotfiring operations 
Maintain written maintenance records 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

RIIBLA303D - Conduct underground development shotfiring
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

RIIBLA303D - Conduct underground development shotfiring

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: