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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare to conduct surface shotfiring operations
   • Obtain and interpret blast plan
   • Access, interpret and apply blast plan and confirm that work activity is compliant
   • Identify, manage and report potential hazards, risks and environmental issues according to legislative and site requirements
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment according to site requirements
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures and confirm steps required to respond to emergencies
   • Coordinate vehicle, equipment and personnel support requirements within scope of own role
   • Arrange survey of blast area according to job requirements and confirm survey and required records are completed and reported to appropriate personnel according to site requirements
   • Access, interpret and apply geological data and weather conditions according to site requirements
   • Carry out calculations required for pattern design, loading and tying in shots
   • Identify and confirm explosives, detonators and relevant accessories according to job requirements
2. Supervise storage and transport explosives and accessories
   • Confirm explosives, detonators and relevant accessories are stored according to legislative requirements
   • Confirm inventory control is maintained according to site requirements
   • Confirm explosives and accessories are transported to blast area and segregate according to legislative requirements
   • Confirm that explosives are not left unattended
   • Secure shot area according to blast plan
   • Establish and communicate access routes to shot area for authorised persons and vehicles
   • Identify hole locations and non-conforming conditions
   • Distribute explosives and accessories on shot site according to blast plan and site requirements
   • Prime and charge holes according to loading plan
   • Confirm blast holes are charged according to loading plan and identify non-conforming conditions
   • Confirm blast holes are stemmed according to blast plan
   • Complete records according to site requirements
   • Carry out preblasting procedures and establish exclusion zone according to blast plan
   • Tie in pattern and check according to blast plan
   • Evaluate proposed firing time against potential factors impacting the blast
   • Carry out firing clearance processes according to blast plan
   • Check shot, assess for hazards and risks, and complete records according to blast plan
3. Complete post-blast activities
   • Carry out postblast inspection
   • Address misfires according to legislative requirements
   • Declare area safe for re-entry according to site requirements
   • Carry out post-blast coordination according to site requirements
   • Dispose of damaged, deteriorated and surplus explosives and detonators according to manufacturer specifications and site requirements
   • Complete reports according to site requirements
4. Carry out equipment maintenance
   • Carry out inspection and required maintenance within scope of own role according to manufacturer specifications and site requirements
   • Complete maintenance records according to site requirements

Performance Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

conduct surface shotfiring operations on at least two occasions, including:

planning and preparing for shotfiring

preparing for charging and charging holes

conducting blasts

completing post-blast activities

completing required documentation.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply relevant documentation and procedures and confirm work activity is compliant.

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

key legislation required to conduct surface shotfiring operations, including those relating to:

storage and segregations of explosives

misfires

key procedures and documentation required to conduct surface shotfiring operations, including:

blast plan

site security plan

Australian standards and code of practice relating to shotfiring operations

site and equipment safety procedures

planning processes

site environmental requirements and constraints, including those relating to:

chemicals

airborne contaminants, including dust and fumes

noise, vibration and airblast overpressure

hot, reactive and fibrous ground

types, physical and technical characteristics, uses and limitations of explosives, accessories, equipment and associated protection and management measures

characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations of shotfiring, including site requirements and manufacturer specifications for:

supervising storage and transport of explosives and accessories

preparing for charging and charge holes

conducting blasts

completing post-blast activities

carrying out equipment maintenance

techniques for assessing the impact of site geological and survey data on blast planning

principles and techniques for selecting appropriate explosives to meet site conditions

principles and techniques for identifying and responding to relevant hazards and emergencies.

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