Application
This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct mobile mixing of explosives in the Resources and Infrastructure Industries.
This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.
No licensing, legislation or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Plan and prepare for mobile mixing of explosives | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply explosives documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant 1.2 Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for the work activity 1.3 Inspect work area and establish, barricade and signpost loading area 1.4 Identify, address and report potential hazards, risks and environmental issues 1.5 Obtain and interpret emergency procedures and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency 1.6 Segregate incompatible goods prior to loading the mobile processing unit according to legislation and code of practice 1.7 Inspect mobile processing unit for safe loading of explosives materials 1.8 Ensure attachments comply with standards and licensing requirements 1.9 Placard mobile processing unit and attachments to show the goods carried, Hazchem identity and emergency information 1.10 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, and check availability of ingredients 2.2 Ensure truck is empty of product and any water in storage bin removed 2.3 Apply parking brake throughout materials loading operation 2.4 Position truck and operate controls to load specified amounts of materials 2.5 Set timer and operate controls to mix explosive for specified time 2.6 Load materials in a safe manner to prevent spillage or injury to personnel and observe emergency procedures 2.7 Record the details of all materials loaded |
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 Identify emergency procedures for accidents and dangerous situations and report immediately |
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 4.6 Ensure area is clear and safe to move vehicle |
Evidence of Performance
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
demonstrates completion of conducting mobile mixing of explosives that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
preparing for blasting operations
mixing explosives
handling, loading and transporting explosives
delivering explosives into blast hole
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in conducting 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
configuration, accessories and working parts of MPUs
MPU loading equipment and methods
Assessment Conditions
An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,
this unit is best assessed in the context of this sector’s 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 this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills; and,
this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,
assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,
assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,
assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,
where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,
assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:
Industry sector | AQF** Level | Required assessor or Industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction | 1 | 1 Year |
2 | 2 Years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying) | 3-6 | 3 Years |
Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction | 3-6 | 5 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. | |
*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 frequent site assessments across various locations.
**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.