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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare for large diameter auger drilling
   • Access, interpret and apply conduct large diameter auger drilling documentation, and ensure the work activity is compliant
   • Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements
   • Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues and implement control measures
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities
   • Communicate and coordinate activities with others throughout the work activity
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures, and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency
2. Operate large diameter auger drill
   • Carry out pre-start and start up procedures
   • Identify, select and apply rig operational controls
   • Collar borehole, start hole, maintain hole alignment, take corrective action for deflections
   • Make up appropriate drill string
   • Handle additional drill stems, inserting them in the drill string
   • Use appropriate gears, rotation, feed and holdback so that flights or bucket are substantially full for the soil being drilled at any given depth
   • Interpret drilling factors to determine conditions at the bit
   • Make and break auger string and drive head connections
   • Maintain a clear hole and a clear bottom and deploy tools for cleaning hole bottom at completed depth
   • Interpret or calculate actual depth at any point during drilling, interpret depth of strata changes and identify fill depth in any bore
   • Select appropriate strategies for recovery of dropped augers
   • Recover drill string using winch and/or head/kelly
   • Insert surface casing and deepen hole using smaller diameter auger or bucket, if required
   • Disassemble drill string and change augers and bit components
   • Select bits for formation being drilled
   • Select appropriate augering method for situation
   • Maintain spoil removal from hole collar
   • Cover and secure bores
   • Prepare and submit paperwork for daily activities
   • Continually monitor hazards and risks, and ensure safety of self, other personnel, plant and equipment
   • Select and use water and drilling fluids as appropriate
   • Bell foundation piles, if required
   • Clean pile bases and insert reinforcement cages, if required
   • Deploy bucket augers through surface casing and when drilling under bentonite muds
   • Use spin off and side casting of spoil as appropriate
   • Record daily hole depths and progress
3. Respond to problems
   • Identify possible operational problems in equipment or process
   • Identify symptoms of problems needing remedial action
   • Determine possible fault causes
   • Rectify problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility
   • Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
   • Report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person
4. Complete equipment maintenance and housekeeping
   • Carry out shutdown and secure equipment
   • Monitor external wear in drill string, rotate string elements to ensure even wear
   • Interchange drill bits and/or drill bit elements to maintain free cutting ability
   • Check all string and equipment elements for wear and proper function
   • Replace worn elements in string, bits and equipment and recycle ‘out of specification’ equipment for repair or redundancy
   • Apply lubrication as appropriate
   • Ensure housekeeping activities are completed
   • Process 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 the large diameter auger drilling tasks that meets 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 large diameter auger drilling that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

collaring borehole, starting hole, maintaining hole alignment, taking corrective action for deflections

making up appropriate drill string

handling additional drill stems, inserting them in the drill string

using appropriate gears, rotation, feed and holdback so that flights or bucket are substantially full for the soil being drilled at any given depth

interpreting drilling factors to determine conditions at the bit

selecting appropriate strategies for recovery of dropped augers

recover drill string using winch and/or head/kelly

inserting surface casing and deepen hole using smaller diameter auger or bucket, if required

disassembling drill string and changing augers and bit components

abandoning, covering/securing bores to ensure safety of others and crew

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in of the following when conducting large diameter auger drilling:

organisation and site requirements and procedures for:

work, health and safety

environmental issues

operating drill rig

housekeeping

equipment spares and characteristics

equipment technical capabilities, system limitations, gauge readings and their interpretation

operational maintenance procedures for rig and equipment including pre-start checks

basic geological formations likely to be encountered and their properties

water, mud and foam injection for jet auger drilling and/or screw pipe drilling

diagrams, plans and instructions for positioning, recording work or progress

tape measures and devices for assessing depth drilled

preparation for fire/accident/emergency

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