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 conducting accretion firing

Implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient conducting of accretion firing

working with others to undertake and complete accretion firing that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of accretion firing 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 accretion firing

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 conduct accretion firing:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

apply workplace communication skills

apply documentation requirements

apply hazard identification and management requirements and procedures

use hand tools

perform basic calculations required to perform accretion firing tasks

apply diagnostic techniques

apply explosives handling and transport requirements and procedures

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 conduct accretion firing:

site procedures

explosives legislation

emergency procedures/environmental procedures

equipment purpose, technical capability and limitations

equipment safety requirements

causes of accretion/effects of accretion

hazardous goods procedures (handling and transport)

blast area security

safe operating procedures and techniques

risk management including application of appropriate controls to identified risks

start-up and shutdown procedures

explosives storage procedures

types and characteristics of blasting agents, explosives and initiation systems

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

Accretion may be defined as:

'A solid build up of any material or substance being processed which will require blasting to dislodge it'.

Accretion may include:

lead cooling in a furnace

build up of material inside a mill

Potential hazards and risks may include:

heat

manual handling

tripping hazards

confined spaces

open voids/working at height

moving equipment

fire/flames

broken detonation leads

premature explosion

atmospheric contaminants

debris

faulty equipment

high air and water pressures

high voltage electricity

gases and fumes

unauthorised personnel

radio frequencies and transmitters

EMF hazards (e.g. static electricity, lightning)

hot material

Basic calculations may include:

depth of blast pipe

quantity of explosives

pipe placement

timing

Equipment may include:

water/air hoses

jack hammer

thermal lance

shotgun

drill steels

piping

PPE

skewers

hand tools

vice

winch

exploder

bomb points

blast pipe

Support requirements may include:

environmental monitoring

trucks, excavators, bobcats or other machinery

assistants

metallurgists

furnace/mill operators

observers

cranes/winches

Personnel may include:

other operators

metallurgists

assistants

trainers/assessors

furnace operators

mobile equipment operators

supervisors

Safety provisions may include:

warning whistles

signs and barricades

sentries

flashing lights

broadcasts

exclusion zones

blast shields

Establishing blast pipe may include:

jack hammering

use of thermal lance

use of a shotgun

Prepare and test may include:

cooling

inserting dummy explosive prior to blasting

Explosives may include:

high explosives

permitted explosives

detonators

Warning devices may include:

firing whistles

flashing lights

broadcasts