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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan and prepare for operations
  2. Mark out drill pattern
  3. Operate the drill system
  4. Relocate drill
  5. Carry out post-operational procedures

Required Skills

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 surface blast hole drilling operations

apply legislative organisation and site requirements and procedures

interpret legislative requirements and procedures

interpret site requirements and procedures

interpret manufacturers requirements and procedures

interpret work requirements

interpret geological and survey data

identify worksite hazards and response procedures

read and interpret plans reports maps and specifications

interpret equipment technical information

organise work tasks

apply drilling techniques

apply maintenance and house keeping requirements and procedures

operate and maintain drilling and ancillary equipment

use communications equipment

maintain records

prepare reports

work in a team

carrying out relevant calculations which may include addition subtraction multiplication division

use appropriate instruments to measure volume mass and length

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 surface blast hole drilling operations

legislative site and manufacturers requirements and procedures

worksite coordination requirements and procedures

site operating techniques and systems

monitoring systems and alarms requirements and procedures

ground preparation requirements and procedures

inspection fault finding and reporting requirements and procedures

routine operator servicing maintenance and housekeeping requirements and procedures

site environmental and heritage requirements and constraints

dust suppression techniques

drill system characteristics technical capability and limitations

Evidence Required

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 surface blast hole drilling operations

implementation of requirements procedures and techniques for the safe effective and efficient conducting of surface blast hole drilling operations

working with others to undertake and complete surface blast hole drilling operations that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of surface blast hole drilling 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 andor 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 andor oral assessment of the candidates required knowledge

observed documented andor first hand testimonial evidence of the candidates

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 candidates

working with others to undertake and complete surface blast hole drilling operations

Guidance information for assessment

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

Range Statement

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

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

Work requirements and procedures may come from briefings, handovers, and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal, depending on the complexity of the process and may include:

nature and scope of tasks

the drill pattern plan

achievement targets

operational conditions

dust suppression

site layout and out of bounds areas

worksite inspection requirements

lighting conditions

plant or equipment defects,

hazards and potential hazards

coordination requirements or issues

Geological data may include relevant site-specific information in relation to:

rock type and characteristics

faults and joints

water tables or other water sources

Survey data may include relevant site-specific information in relation to:

floor heights

bench widths

grades

Inspection of the work area may include:

identification of hazards

confirming geological and survey data, which may include:

high wall and low wall condition

amount of scale

stability of ground

broken ground

degree of compaction

dry and wet ground

location of water table

slope of working surface

old underground workings and voids

determination of appropriate path of movement for equipment

Preparation of the work area may include:

selection and implementation of control measures for the hazards identified

safeguarding site and non-site personnel by:

erection of barricades and posting of signs

selection of appropriate equipment to ensure personnel safety and protection

preparing floor, pads, roads, ramps and bench requirements

pads that are flat, sloping or benched

Potential hazards and risks may include:

abandoned equipment

adjoining pit walls

adverse weather conditions (electrical storms, floods, fires)

chemicals

contaminants

equipment

fences

holes

materials

over-hanging rocks

personnel

pot holes

unsafe ground

unstable faces

vehicles

Installed services

damaged or defective pressurised hoses and fastenings

powerlines

dust

noise

conveyors

overhead services

void

tow and bent rods

changing work conditions

void management

Coordination may include with:

shotfirer

mobile plant operators

processing plant operators

maintenance personnel

cable reelers

water truck operators

service vehicle operators

crane and float operators

contractors

other drillers

inspectors

supervisors

visitors

Drilling plan may be written or verbal, formal or informal, depending on the complexity of the process and may include:

access road plan

drill pattern

equipment and resource allocations/requirements

face plan

geological details

mine site

services

pre-start and start-up procedure may include:

external check of the machine

inspection of attachments to ensure security and identify defects

checking of fluid levels (windscreen washer tank, hydraulic oil, coolant, grease, water, engine oil, fuel)

carry out lubrication

checking of display instrumentation and gauges (indicators, gauges, laser levels), computer systems, engine and stop engine lights

inspection of air filter restriction indicator

inspection and checking of cab (horn, lights, air conditioner)

testing of engine and stop engine lights

testing visual and audio warning devices and lights

checking instruments and control lever

reporting of defects and damage

Pre-start and start-up procedures may include:

external check of the machine

checking and toping up fluid levels (including windscreen washer tank, hydraulic oil, coolant, grease, water, engine oil, fuel)

lubrication

inspection of attachments to ensure security and defects

instrument checks (indicators, gauges, laser levels, computer systems. engine and stop engine lights)

control lever checks

reporting defects and damage

air filter restriction indicator

cab (horn, lights, air conditioner)

visual and audio warning devices and lights

Park-up and shutdown procedures may include:

securing equipment as required by site procedures

rendering attachments safe

clearing access ways

Equipment may include:

witches hats

tapes, signs, flags, pegs

rope

measuring tape

cutting implements

lifting and handling equipment (winch, crane, block and tackles)

ancillary equipment (generators, pumps, lights, compressors, cleaning equipment, power tools and hand tools)

Operating techniques may include:

locating the drill, including using positioning systems (global or other)

setting up the drill

adding and removing drill steel, rods, pipes, casing and other down hole tools

stabilisation the drill angle

selecting and size and type

controlling drill depth

controlling speed

adjustment of feeds

controlling rotation and feed pressure,

controlling pull force

compacting

controlling the hammer

monitoring and adjusting associated equipment performance

applying dust suppression requirements

collaring of holes

rod handling

removing debris

working safely around:

overhead powerlines

other machines and personnel

Changing work conditions may include:

variation in drill angle

problems with face stability

variation in rock types or ground conditions

down hole problems

hole deviation

loss of circulation return

loss of rod or bit

rod or bit breakages

variations in weather conditions

day and night

encountering old workings

Monitoring of materials may include:

sampling

visual inspection

Relocate may include:

walking

driving

towing

transporting

cable location and handling

Routine operator service, maintenance and housekeeping may include:

scheduled servicing

changing bits, rods, shanks and drive bushes

greasing

bit sharpening and tool servicing

cleaning, which may include:

degreasing

forced air

steam cleaning

vacuum

water

centraliser/gate adjustment/repair

dust collector/filter bag changes

accumulator recharging

drifter travel alignment and changing

removing:

broken drill bits

rags

rock chips

Records and reports may include:

rotation and feed pressure

rods, bits and associated equipment usage

sampling records

work as completed sketches

bore hole collar levels

drilling rate (m/hr)

fuel usage

computer readings

end of shift documentation

supplies logs

work logs