Google Links

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 for blasting
  2. Conduct blasting
  3. Complete blasting operations

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 mobilise equipment and materials

apply legislative organisation and site requirements and procedures

apply operational safety requirements

read interpret and apply technical information

apply operational planning skills

apply work coordination skills

apply mathematical calculations using addition subtraction multiplication and division

apply workplace communication techniques

apply explosives preparation and mixing procedures

apply diagnostic techniques

apply explosives storage handling and transport procedures

apply hazard identify procedures

apply procedures for identifying nonconformities

apply record and report maintenance procedures

apply environmental compliance requirements

use relevant equipment

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 mobilise equipment and materials

relevant legislation Australian standards and code of practice

site and equipment safety procedures

environmental requirements including vibration noise dust and chemicals

site environmental requirements and constraints

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

basic geological and technical information

blast plans

site operational procedures

planning processes

explosive handling transportation and storage requirements

equipment characteristics technical capabilities and limitations

equipment maintenance procedures

isolation and lock out procedures

selection of appropriate explosives to meet site conditions

site charging procedures

emergency procedures

risk management including application of appropriate controls to identified risks

startup and shutdown procedures

nonconforming conditions

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 secondary blasting

implementation of requirements procedures and techniques for the safe effective and efficient conducting of secondary blasting

working with others to undertake and complete secondary blasting that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of secondary blasting 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 the conducting of secondary blasting

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 and achievement targets

site location and layout

out of bounds areas

operational conditions

coordination requirements or issues

hazards and potential hazards

waste management requirements

environmental control requirements worksite inspection requirements

barricade and signage requirements

obtaining of permits required

type and quantity of explosives and accessories

equipment availability and/or requirements

plant or equipment defects

transport arrangements and/or requirements

safe storage requirements

public relations requirements

Site conditions may include:

ventilation

ground conditions (e.g. scaling)

illumination

radioactivity

weather conditions

water

Hazards and associated risks may include:

ground conditions

loose rocks from overhead

tipping hazards

fire/flames

not following safety precautions near an open stope

broken detonation leads

premature explosion

atmospheric contaminants

debris

faulty equipment

air blast and fly

high air and water pressures

high voltage electricity

oxygen-deficient atmosphere

unauthorised personnel

wet holes

radio frequencies and transmitters

EMF hazards (e.g. static electricity, lightning)

hot material

lost holes

drilling in butts

drilling into misfires

Explosives may include:

high explosives

permitted explosives

propellant charges

black powder

shaped charges

plaster charges or charges in drill holes

Explosives and associated materials may include:

blasting agents

detonators

detonating cords

water gels or emulsions

bulk or packaged

shaped charges

permitted explosives

high explosives

propellants

pressure loaders (kettle)

detonation mechanisms including:

bell wire

delay mechanisms

initiators

meter readings

safety fuses and tapes

tape

exploders

circuit testers

connecting wire and cables

crimpers

approved detonator chord cutters

stemming rods

loading poles

gas bags

decking

stemming

hole liner

blast monitoring equipment

firing cables/bell wire

remote firing equipment (e.g. PED)

Equipment may include:

drill rig

pneumatic or electric drill/machine drill

other hand held tools

explosives and accessories

poles or rods

recommended/required PPE

ties and bagging material

sandbags

stemming

blast mats

Support requirements may include

other equipment and their operators

vehicles

public and site notification

Environmental issues may include:

ventilation

fume

dust

Pre-blasting procedures may include:

warnings

sentries

area clearance

Exclusion zones may be marked or delineated by one or more of the following:

signage

windrow

bund wall

ribbon

tape

witches' hats

rope

flags or pegs

sentries

gates

Techniques may include:

drilling

shotfiring

snake-holding

bombing

penetration cone fracture (PCF)

cannon

plastering

popping rocks with small charges

Blast objective may include:

breaking oversize materials

unblocking

Post blast coordination may include:

withdrawal of sentries

return of unused explosives and equipment

removal of signs

turning off safety devices

ventilation of area

use of gas detectors

Non-conforming conditions may include:

misfires

blockages

break through

deviation

undercut

ground conditions

ventilation

water/wet holes

hot ground

fumes

dust