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. Manage compliance with legislation
   • Access, interpret and apply blasting operations documentation and confirm work activity is compliant
   • Identify and manage training requirements, licenses or authorities required for explosives storage, manufacture, transport and use activities, according to legislative and requirements
   • Apply procedures for identification of potential safety and security hazards and implementation and application of the site/organisation risk management system according to legislative and site requirements
   • Identify and resource appropriate personal protective equipment according to manufacturer specifications and legislative and site requirements
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures and confirm steps required to respond to emergencies
   • Manage explosives security according to legislative and site requirements
   • Manage blasting records according to legislative and site requirements
   • Record and report explosives incidents according to legislative and site requirements
2. Manage the storage, handling and transport of explosives
   • Apply procedures for safe handling of explosives according to legislative and site requirements
   • Apply procedures for transporting explosives according to legislative and site requirements
   • Apply procedures for storage of explosives according to legislative and site requirements
3. Manage the implementation of blasting activities
   • Identify environmental hazards and analyse risks associated with blasting
   • Access, interpret and validate the blast design criteria
   • Implement the blast plan according to site requirements
   • Apply blast monitoring according to site requirements
   • Apply site inspection regime according to legislative and site requirements
   • Manage and coordinate support activities according to legislative and site requirements
   • Apply site procedures for setting up and securing the blast area
   • Apply procedures for monitoring quality assurance and quality control processes and confirm authorised explosives are being manufactured
   • Apply and manage blast clearance processes according to site requirements
   • Apply and manage blast initiation process according to site requirements
   • Apply special requirements for secondary blasting operations
   • Apply and manage post-blasting coordination and inspection requirements
   • Complete statutory and site-required documents according to site requirements
   • Apply site procedures for re-assessment of the blast site for potential hazards and risks and confirm work area is safe
   • Inspect blast area and identify misfires or potential misfires and their cause
   • Secure misfire area according to legislative and site requirements and communicate information to other affected personnel
   • Apply procedures to for washing-out or re-charging, and manage refiring, according to site requirements
   • Communicate safety of the area to affected persons according to site requirements
   • Record and report misfires according to legislative and site requirements
4. Manage the disposal of explosives
   • Identify damaged, deteriorated and out of date explosives and detonators
   • Select disposal method for explosives and detonators according to manufacturer specifications and legislative and site requirements
   • Plan for disposal of damaged, deteriorated and out of date explosives and detonators according to manufacturer specifications and legislative and site requirements
   • Dispose of damaged, deteriorated and out of date explosives and detonators according to legislative and site requirements
   • Manage and maintain disposal records according to legislative and site requirements
5. Manage maintenance of blasting equipment
   • Identify manufacturer specified maintenance schedules for all plant and equipment associated with blasting operations
   • Manage inspection schedules for all plant and equipment associated with blasting operations according to manufacturer specifications and site requirements
   • Apply and manage procedures for decontaminating plant and equipment used for manufacturing explosives and transferring explosives precursors and security-sensitive ammonium nitrate (SSAN) before maintenance is performed
   • Manage maintenance record keeping according to legislative and 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:

manage blasting operations on at least one occasion, including:

validating blast design criteria

obtaining required permits, licenses or authorities

applying legislative and site requirements and procedures for:

purchase of explosives

set-up and security of explosives

reporting

site access

handling, transport and storage of explosives

site inspections

type and quality of explosives used

coordination of support vehicles, personnel and other equipment

setting up and securing the blast area

secondary blasting

re-assessment of blast site

misfires or potential misfires

disposal of explosives

identifying and analysing environmental risks

implementing blast plans

monitoring blasts

coordinating post-blast inspection

monitoring maintenance and routine inspection of blast and blast monitoring equipment.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply legislation, documentation and procedures

work effectively with others to plan, prepare and conduct blasting operations, including:

complying with reporting requirements and procedures

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

providing clear and timely instruction and supervision of those involved in blasting operations.

---

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 manage blasting operations, including those relating to:

dangerous goods requirements

storage, segregation and transportation of explosives

misfires

records and reporting requirements

key procedures and documentation required to manage blasting operations, including:

blast plan

safety and security management system

Australian standards and codes of practice relating to blasting operations

blast site procedures

emergency procedures

environmental procedures

explosives disposal methods

manufacturer specifications

techniques for applying basic geological and technical information

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 precursors, security sensitive ammonium nitrate, explosives, initiation systems and associated equipment

key principles and techniques relating to managing blasting operations, including:

density, velocity and relationships between variables

techniques for assimilating, interpreting and applying information and technical data

key mathematical processes and applications

principles and techniques for managing misfires and identifying its causes

principles and techniques for identifying and responding to relevant safety and environmental hazards and emergencies, including those relating to climatic and electrostatic conditions

site requirements for completing maintenance records and reporting requirements

techniques for coordinating job activities with vehicles, personnel and relevant equipment.

---