Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

RIIBLA401E Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage blasting operations

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency RIIBLA401E - Manage blasting operations
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage blasting operations in the resources and infrastructure industries. It includes implementing blast plans, monitoring blasting and coordinating postblast inspections.It applies to those working in supervisory roles. They are generally responsible for the output of others, contribute to the development of technical solutions to non-routine problems and apply management plans to the workplace.Licensing, legislative and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the unit.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment required to manage blasting operations

be conducted in a safe environment; and,

be assessed in the context of this sector's work environment; and,

be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures and processes directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances.

Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated work environment* provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must be able to clearly demonstrate current and relevant industry knowledge and experience to satisfy the mandatory regulatory standards as set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/Australian Quality Training Framework mandatory requirements for assessors current at the time of assessment and any relevant licensing and certification requirements. This includes:

possessing and maintaining a current shotfirer’s licence issued by a state/territory regulatory body endorsed for the applicable type of blasting

vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed

current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided

current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment

formal relevant qualifications in training and assessment

having knowledge of and/or experience using the latest techniques and processes

possessing the required level of RII training product knowledge

having an understanding and knowledge of legislation and regulations relevant to the industry and to employment and workplaces

demonstrating the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence outlined in this unit of competency, and

the minimum years of current** work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below in an industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit.

It is also acceptable for the appropriately qualified assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together and for the industry expert to be involved in the assessment judgement. The industry expert must have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided. This means the industry subject matter expert must demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed:

Industry sector

AQF indicator level***

Required assessor or industry subject matter expert experience

Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Infrastructure

1

1 year

2

2 years

Drilling, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying), Metalliferous Mining and Civil Infrastructure

3-6

3 years

Other sectors

Where this unit is being assessed outside of the resources and infrastructure sectors assessor and/or industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation.

*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the RII implementation guide located on VETNet.

**Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to industry by conducting a minimum number of site assessments as determined by the relevant industry sector, across various locations.

*** While a unit of competency does not have an AQF level, where a unit is being delivered outside of a qualification the first numeric character in the unit code should be considered as the AQF indicator level for assessment purposes.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: 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
       
Element: 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
       
Element: 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
       
Element: 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
       
Element: 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
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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.

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.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
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 
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 
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 
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 
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 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

RIIBLA401E - Manage blasting operations
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

RIIBLA401E - Manage blasting operations

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: