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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for blast hole drilling operations
  2. Plan the blast hole drilling program
  3. Implement, monitor and adjust the blast hole drilling program

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 manage blast hole drilling operations

apply legislative organisation and site requirements and procedures

interpret and apply legislative and organisational requirements

interpret and apply geological and survey data

provide team leadership

manage people and processes

resolve conflict

coordinate human financial and physical resources

choose appropriate operational techniques

choose and assign appropriate plant and equipment

develop initiate and administer work plans

interpret and apply operational performance data

monitor and maintain drilling operations

prepare operating budgets and forecast trends

manage projects and tasks

deliver and maintain products and services to required specifications

manage drilling traffic

evaluate new and used equipment using appropriate techniques

control operating costs

performance auditing of finance energy safety environment quality assurance human resources legislative compliance and benchmarking

gain statutorylegal approvals

prepare tender specifications

negotiate and finalise contracts

access and use appropriate technologies

prepare and present management reports

negotiate with internalexternal customers community and statutorylegal authorities

read analyse and update plans

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 manage blast hole drilling operations

site risk statutory compliance health safety environmental quality and communication requirements and procedures

geological data

survey data

blasting parameters

pit development options and procedures

operational techniques required for execution of the plan

plant and equipment capabilities

work planning techniques

team leadership techniques

consultative and coaching techniques

work monitoring methods

recording and reporting systems

drilling operations

drilling products and services

drilling plant and equipment

team management

organisational objectives

resource monitoring

surveying

financial models

fundamentals of contract law

human resource management

industrial awardsenterprise agreements

planning processes

risk management principles strategies and applications

customerclient relations

environmental management

OHS

computer applications

negotiation techniques

plan presentation

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 the managing of blast hole drilling operations

implementation of procedures and techniques for the safe effective and efficient management of blast hole drilling operations

the identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required to meet the required outcomes

the identification of viable options and the selection of blast hole drilling options that best meet the required outcomes

working with others to undertake and complete blast hole drilling operations

consistent successful blast hole drilling operations

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 a civil works 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 to apply in undertaking of the management of blast hole drilling operations

observed documented andor first hand testimonial evidence of the candidates

implementation of appropriate procedures and techniques for the safe effective and efficient achievement of the required outcomes

identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required to meet the required outcomes

identification of viable options and the selection of blast hole drilling options that best meet the required outcomes

consistently achieving the required outcomes

first hand testimonial and documentary evidence of the candidates

working with others to undertake and complete blast hole drilling operations

provision of clear and timely required support and advice on the conducting of 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

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Geological data may include:

rock (or other resource) types and characteristics

faults and joints

Survey data may include:

site and neighbouring land form

site and neighbouring boundaries and structures

site and neighbouring roads and other infrastructure

approved limits of extraction

title details

Blast hole drilling may include:

auger

solid flight

rotary air

down hole hammer

rotary air blast

top hole hammer

Blast design parameters would be included in the blast design and may include:

blast hole pattern (including burden and spacing and orientation)

blast hole diameters

blast hole depth

blast hole incline

Internal and external stakeholders may include:

site and off-site employees

contractors

equipment suppliers

geologists, surveyors and/or draughtspersons

regulatory authorities representatives

community representatives

site neighbours

Planning may include:

flow-charts

Gantt charts

critical path networks

Selection and identification of the source of equipment may include:

site geological factors

blasting parameters

production requirements

availability of organisation's equipment

availability of contractors equipment

evaluation of drilling methods

evaluation of economics and efficiency

comparative costs of various options, which may include:

ownership costs of drilling equipment

operating costs of drilling equipment

consumable cost of drilling

total unit costs of a drilling operation

Safety considerations may include:

faults in mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or other equipment

hazards related to drilling (e.g. explosion, drilling into butts, misfires)

drill rod handling

power lines

chemicals

care in used rod disposal

contaminants

toxic materials and gases

heat stress

climatic exposure

human error

lack of training

poor site preparation

non-use safety gear

ground slippage and geology

noise and dust

face stability

loose fitting clothing

bull hose

voids management

drilling into butts and misfires

Resources may include:

financial

labour

materials

services

plant and

equipment, which may include:

down-hole tools such as tri-cone, button or cross bits

drill rigs:

drifter - hydraulic or pneumatic

rotary top drive

ancillary equipment:

pumps

compressors

generators

grout mixing equipment

diesel engines

vehicles

Training may include:

hazards and potential accidents

driller's personal safety equipment

accident investigation and reporting

location

personal behaviour

drilling operation

noise and dust

responsibility of key personnel

associated legislation and regulations