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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan and prepare for supporting of blast site operations
  2. Provide support at the blast site

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 support shotfiring operations

apply legislative organisation and site requirements and procedures for supporting blast site operations

apply hazard identification and risk management processes

apply operational safety requirements

read interpret and apply technical information

apply blast site explosives storage control requirements

apply explosives mix and handle requirements

apply driving requirements and procedures for explosives transport vehicles

apply the requirements for securing and isolating blast area

apply explosives loading stemming and tying in procedures

apply record keeping 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 support shotfiring operations

blast plan

site security plan

applicable legislation and reporting requirements

site operational safety requirements

hazardous goods handling and transport procedures

blasting techniques and procedures

types physical and technical characteristics uses and limitations of explosives

explosive handling transportation and storage requirements

explosives transport vehicle driving regulations rules and conventions

site geological and survey data

hazard identification and risk management processes

site environmental requirements and constraints

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 supporting of shotfiring operations

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

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

consistent timely completion of 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 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 shotfiring 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

Work instructions may come from briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include:

nature and scope of tasks

detailed responsibilities and coordination issues and requirements

site layout

essential survey data and locations

essential geological information

known information on blast holes, including:

alignment and location problems

obstructions or voids

wet holes

specifications and equipment requirements

transport and storage issues and requirements

quality of finished works

timings for preparation

achievement targets

operational conditions

public relations

out of bounds areas

worksite inspection requirements

lighting conditions

plant or equipment defects

hazards and potential hazards

coordination requirements or issues

environmental control requirements

waste management requirements

barricade and signage requirements

Hazards may include:

chemical energy, including:

premature explosion

deterioration of explosives

stored energy

working environment, including:

weather conditions

insufficient illumination

NOX gases

poor road or rail conditions

ground conditions

fire/flames/ignition sources

atmospheric contaminants

dust

noise

lack of ventilation

extraneous electricity e.g. static electricity, lightning

equipment and materials, including:

faulty vehicle

faulty equipment

electricity

radio frequencies and transmitters

hot exhaust system

people, including:

speeding

unauthorised persons

theft or unexplained loss of explosives

processes and procedures, including:

manual handling injuries

Coordination requirements may include

shotfirer

blasting team

explosives mixing and delivery personnel

mobile and other equipment operators

maintenance personnel

supervisors

other worksite personnel

Test may include:

rated capacity of exploder or blasting machine

burning rate of safety fuse

resistance of detonators

continuity and insulation of firing lines

serviceability

Explosives and accessories may include:

high and low explosives

bulk or packaged explosives

permitted explosives

shaped charges

detonators

detonating cords and signal tubes and connectors

detonation mechanisms including:

bell wire and firing lines

delay mechanisms

blasting machines or mains firing equipment

exploder and circuit tester

safety fuses

binding tape

pressure loader

venturi loader

non ferrous tools (copper to remove obstructions from blast hole)

approved cord cutters

Check includes:

hole depth or length

blockages

direction

presence of water

Securing and isolating the blast area may include:

witches hats

tapes

signs, including:

pegs

flags

use of radios

ropes

windrow fencing

bund wall