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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare for top-hole hammer drilling
   • Access, interpret and apply top-hole 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
   • Select, and check for faults, tools and equipment to carry out tasks
   • Check restraining devices on all pressure hoses
   • Fit/replace restraining devices on pressure hoses as required
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures, and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency
2. Operate top hole hammer drill
   • Carry out pre-start and start up procedures
   • Identify, select and apply rig operational controls
   • Select appropriate rod type, thread form and drill string components for job
   • Measure and select appropriate bit for the job
   • Collar hole
   • Use rod handling equipment safely and correctly
   • Add/break out and remove drill rods/pipes and top hole equipment
   • Adjust/feed/rotate drill at right rate for optimum penetration
   • Adjust impact pressure and rate to match ground conditions
   • Adjust air pressure to achieve required hole clearance
   • Measure line string and calculate depth of hole
3. Use drilling fluids as required
   • Identify hole conditions requiring the use of dust control fluids
   • Select suitable ingredients/fluids
   • Prepare/monitor the preparation of required fluids
   • Use dust control fluids to achieve required result
4. Respond to problems
   • Monitor operation and chips/sample/air return
   • Identify possible problems in equipment or process
   • Clear blockages
   • Determine other problems and maintenance tasks needing 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
5. Complete equipment maintenance and housekeeping
   • Carry out shutdown procedures and secure equipment
   • Monitor wear
   • Check all equipment and hoses
   • Replace shanks as required
   • Replace/adjust and report damaged/worn parts as required
   • Undertake bit sharpening as required
   • Grease drifter as required
   • Ensure housekeeping activities are completed
   • Process records
6. Plan and prepare for top-hole hammer drilling
   • Access, interpret and apply top-hole 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
   • Select, and check for faults, tools and equipment to carry out tasks
   • Check restraining devices on all pressure hoses
   • Fit/replace restraining devices on pressure hoses as required
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures, and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency
7. Operate top hole hammer drill
   • Carry out pre-start and start up procedures
   • Identify, select and apply rig operational controls
   • Select appropriate rod type, thread form and drill string components for job
   • Measure and select appropriate bit for the job
   • Collar hole
   • Use rod handling equipment safely and correctly
   • Add/break out and remove drill rods/pipes and top hole equipment
   • Adjust/feed/rotate drill at right rate for optimum penetration
   • Adjust impact pressure and rate to match ground conditions
   • Adjust air pressure to achieve required hole clearance
   • Measure line string and calculate depth of hole
8. Use drilling fluids as required
   • Identify hole conditions requiring the use of dust control fluids
   • Select suitable ingredients/fluids
   • Prepare/monitor the preparation of required fluids
   • Use dust control fluids to achieve required result
9. Respond to problems
   • Monitor operation and chips/sample/air return
   • Identify possible problems in equipment or process
   • Clear blockages
   • Determine other problems and maintenance tasks needing 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
10. Complete equipment maintenance and housekeeping
    • Carry out shutdown procedures and secure equipment
    • Monitor wear
    • Check all equipment and hoses
    • Replace shanks as required
    • Replace/adjust and report damaged/worn parts as required
    • Undertake bit sharpening as required
    • Grease drifter as required
    • 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

implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of top-hole hammer drilling including:

identifying various thread types on the equipment at site and the application of prescribed torque

identifying worn drill pipe and damaged threads

identifying and measuring various bits in use

using the various rod/pipe handling equipment on site

correctly and competently add/remove rods/pipe from the string

applying rotation speed and weight on the bit to maintain optimum performance

measuring line string components and calculating hole depth

applying the correct combination of hydraulic oil flow volume and pressure to maintain productivity

establishing collar hole

ensuring that samples are correctly collected and handled

ensuring that all string components are correctly maintained

measuring bits and related components to ensure compatibility

ensuring that bit sharpening equipment, used to sharpen TC bits are used correctly and safely and that bits are sharpened to correct tolerances

selecting various bit types for differing ground conditions

monitoring sample quality and correctly interpret changes

using prescribed techniques to safely clear sample delivery hose blockages

accepting responsibility for the correct installation and maintenance of restraining devices to pressure and sample delivery hoses

communicating the hazards of cuttings in the return air stream to all crew members

ensuring that drill pipe is inspected regularly and wear rates monitored

ensuring that threads are inspected and maintained as required

works effectively with others to undertake and complete the conduct of top-hole hammer drilling 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 the conduction of top-hole hammer drilling that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

selecting appropriate rod type, thread form and drill string components for job

measuring and selecting appropriate bit for the job

add/break out and remove drill rods/pipes and top hole equipment

adjusting/feeding/rotating drill at right rate for optimum penetration

adjusting impact pressure and rate to match ground conditions

measuring line string and calculating depth of hole

preparing/monitoring the preparation of required fluids

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in conducting top-hole hammer drilling through:

accessing, interpreting and applying the organisation and site requirements and procedures for:

work, health and safety

environmental issues

operating drill rig

housekeeping

critical need to match like threads with like threads on all tubular components and make up torque requirements

parameters relating to wear of drill pipe and integrity of threads

function of hole collaring

methods required to limit the contamination of samples

theory behind TC bit sharpening

bit selection for different types of drilling and different ground conditions

problems related to inaccurate measurement of bits and other related components

importance of monitoring sample quantity

role that blockages play in affecting sample quality

methods commonly used to clear down hole blockages in air drilled holes and the hazards associated with clearing blockages

methods used to clear a blockage in a sample delivery hose and the hazards associated with clearing blockages

critical need for restraining devices to be fitted to all pressure delivery hoses and sample delivery hoses, the devices available and their methods of attachment

dangers of drilled samples being returned to the surface at high velocity in air drilling operations and the parameters involved

importance of checking gauges and monitoring pressures, flow rates and temperatures

being prepared for fire/accident/emergency

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