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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare
   • Access, interpret and apply shotfiring documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant
   • Obtain, confirm and apply Blasting Management Plan and blast plan requirements
   • Identify, manage and report all potential hazards, risks and environmental issues
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the work activities
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency
   • Coordinate vehicle, equipment and personnel support
   • Arrange and/or ensure survey of blast area is complete and reported to appropriate personnel and records are maintained
   • Access, interpret and apply environmental, geological and survey data
   • Carry out calculations to enable pattern design, loading and tying in of shots
   • Identify and confirm the explosives and accessories required
2. Supervise the store and transport explosives and accessories
   • Ensure explosives and accessories are safely and correctly stored
   • Ensure inventory control systems are accurately and correctly maintained
   • Ensure explosives and accessories are transported to blast area and segregate correctly
   • Ensure that explosives are not left unattended
   • Identify and dispose of any deteriorated or out of date explosives and accessories correctly
3. Prepare for charging
   • Identify, manage and report potential hazards and risks
   • Secure blast area in accordance with procedures and blast plan
   • Establish and communicate access routes to shot area for authorised persons and vehicle
   • Identify hole locations and any non-conforming conditions in preparation for charging
   • Set up charging equipment in accordance with site procedures
   • Prepare holes for charging in accordance with blast plan
4. Charge holes
   • Supervise blast personnel during loading operations
   • Prime and charge holes in accordance with the blast plan
   • Ensure blast holes are charged in accordance with loading plan and identify non-conforming conditions
   • Ensure blast holes are stemmed in accordance with blast plan
   • Clear the area of equipment, personnel and isolate/barricade the blast area, including warning signs
   • Test equipment and accessories
   • Maintain written records
   • Conduct blast monitoring
5. Conduct the blast
   • Carry out pre blasting procedures and establish exclusion zone
   • Carry out tying in, in accordance with the blast plan
   • Supervise all personnel within the blast area during tie-in and initiation
   • Initiate the blast
   • Carry out and record activities in accordance with the blast plan
6. Complete post blast activities
   • Carry out post blast inspection
   • Secure firing circuits and initiation device
   • Report blasting has been completed to relevant personnel
   • Carry out post-blast coordination and declare area safe for re-entry
   • Inspect site and deal with non-conformities including misfires
   • Identify and dispose of surplus, damaged and deteriorated and explosives and detonators
   • Ensure that emergency services are advised of the disposal activities in accordance with site procedures
   • Complete written reports
7. Carry out equipment maintenance
   • Carry out inspection and required maintenance during and after shotfiring operations
   • Maintain written maintenance records

Performance Evidence

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies relevant documentation, policies and procedures

works effectively with others to undertake and complete underground production shotfiring operations that meet all of the required outcomes including;

complying with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions

communicating clearly and concisely with others to resolve coordination requirements prior to commencing and during work activities

demonstrates completion of conducting underground production shotfiring that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

planning and preparing for shotfiring

supervising the storage and transport of explosives and accessories

preparing for charging and charge holes

conducting the blast

completing post-blast activities

carrying out equipment maintenance

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of conducting underground production shotfiring:

Australian standards and code of practice

explosives and safety and health legislation

risk management including application of appropriate controls to identified risks

site geological information

types, physical and technical characteristics, uses and limitations of explosives and protection measures associated with their use

initiation systems

delayed blasts

cause and management of misfires

non-conforming conditions

non-conformities

explosives disposal methods

blasting management and blast plan requirements

equipment characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations

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