ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for operations

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to mix explosives using mobile processing units

1.2. Select personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities

1.3. Inspect work area and establish, barricade and signpost loading area

1.4. Identify, address and report potential hazards and risks

1.5. Segregate incompatible goods prior to loading the mobile processing unit according to legislation and code of practice

1.6. Inspect mobile processing unit for safe loading of explosives materials

1.7. Ensure attachments comply with standards and licensing requirements

1.8. Placard mobile processing unit and attachments to show the goods carried, Hazchem identity and emergency information

1.9. Check that safety equipment is fitted and ready for use

2. Load and mix explosives materials

2.1. Calculate batch quantities for ingredients to manufacture explosive to specification, and check availability of ingredients

2.2. Wear required personal protective equipment

2.3. Ensure truck is empty of product and any identified water in storage bin removed

2.4. Apply parking brake throughout materials loading operation

2.5. Position truck and operate controls to load specified amounts of materials according to required procedures

2.6. Set timer and operate controls to mix explosive for specified time according to procedures

2.7. Load materials in a safe manner to prevent spillage or injury to personnel and observe emergency procedures

2.8. Record the details of all materials loaded according to procedures and requirements

3. Transport explosives to delivery point

3.1. Carry out vehicle pre-start checks

3.2. Confirm and adhere to pre-planned route

3.3. Operate vehicle according to road conditions and in compliance with established mine traffic rules

3.4. Follow emergency procedures for accidents that result in a dangerous situation

4. Deliver explosives in blast hole

4.1. Select most appropriate hole discharge point and locate delivery chute over blast hole

4.2. Confirm the identity of blast hole and explosive loading requirements with relevant personnel

4.3. Regulate the discharge of explosive to the blast hole to achieve specified weight or stemming height

4.4. Complete loading hole and prepare vehicle for next blast hole

4.5. Complete records as required

4.6. Ensure area is clear and safe to move vehicle

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 conduct mobile mixing of explosives:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

apply driving techniques in adverse conditions

apply route planning processes

apply hazard identification procedures

apply hazardous goods handling procedures

apply vehicle refuelling procedures

apply emergency procedures

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 conduct mobile mixing of explosives:

authorities to operate an MPU

types and properties of explosives materials

MPU explosive materials capacity

mixing parameters and ratios

incompatible materials and methods of segregation

safety and emergency procedures and equipment associated with the loading and operation of an MPU

MPU operation

configuration, accessories and working parts of MPUs

MPU loading equipment and methods

recording and reporting requirements

transport emergency procedures

explosives discharge methods and requirements

placarding and signage requirements

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 mobile mixing of explosives

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of mobile mixing of explosives

working with others to undertake and complete the mobile mixing of explosives that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of the mobile mixing of explosives 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 and/or 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 and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

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 candidate's:

working with others to undertake and complete the mobile mixing of explosives

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

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

Explosives is defined as:

'any material or mixture which, when initiated, undergoes a rapid chemical change with the development of heat and high pressure to produce an aural, visual or practical effect'

Explosives materials may include:

ANFO

heavy ANFO

SOFTLOAD

Mobile Processing Unit (MPU) may be defined as:

'A vehicle mounted plant which carries its own ingredients, can manufacture or blend a Class 1 explosive and which contains it own delivery system for the explosive; or a vehicle mounted bulk explosives container which contains its own delivery system for the explosive'

Mobile Processing Units may include:

ANFO units

emulsion units

slurry trucks

bulk emulsion explosive delivery vehicles

re-pump vehicles

pre-blended ANFO trucks

Personal protective equipment may include:

safety helmet

safety glasses

steel toe capped boots

ear plugs/muffs

appropriately fitting protective clothing

Incompatible goods may include:

combustible liquids

ammonium nitrate:

solutions of ammonium nitrate

solutions of ammonium nitrate and other inorganic nitrates

ammonium nitrate emulsions conforming to UN 3375

urea/ammonium nitrate eutectics

ammonium nitrate emulsions and water gels which meet the requirements of a class 1.5 explosive

ANFO mixture:

mixtures of ammonium nitrate and fuel oils

solid fuels including:

aluminium powder

polystyrene beads

pulverised rubber

'premix' - solid fuels for water gels

other solid fuels included in authorised explosive compositions

'effect' chemicals

detonators and other Class 1 explosives

water (except where carried for cleaning and/or processing purposes)

Attachments may include:

elevated work platform

trailer

pumps

auger

emulsion unit

Safety equipment on the MPU may include:

emergency kit

emergency stops

rotating beacon

fire extinguishers

handrail and walkway

signage and placarding

battery isolator

fuel isolator

Operating controls may include:

operating bin loading hatch

auger raising, lowering and slewing

discharge chutes

operating scales/operating timers

Emergency procedures may include:

emergency stops

battery isolation

fire control procedures

reporting defects and faults

Pre-start checks may include:

fluid levels

auger/tumbler seal inspection

fire extinguishers

loading lights

signs/placards

flashing beacon

Road conditions may include:

dust

fog

rough surface/corrugated surface

wet/slippery/boggy roads

Emergency procedures for accidents that result in a dangerous situation may include:

notifying the emergency services of the incident as soon as possible

notifying the owner the owner or prime contractor

providing reasonable assistance to the emergency services

carrying out emergency procedures recommended in emergency information provided, including EPGs

carrying out the local emergency plan

preventing any other vehicles, dangerous goods or explosives from coming within a safe distance specified in the emergency information carried in the vehicle

warning any person in the vicinity who may be at risk

preventing or minimising the escape of any transported material and its entry into the surrounding environment

Relevant personnel may include:

shotfirers

blast crews

contractors