Application
This unit develops a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct accretion firing in the Metalliferous mining.
This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory 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 accretion firing | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply shot firing documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant 1.2 Receive, interpret and clarify accretion shooting details 1.3 Confirm blast objective by preliminary site inspection 1.4 Identify, document and manage potential hazards and risks 1.5 Apply basic calculations for accretion shooting and validate the blast objective criteria 1.6 Identify, confirm and collect required equipment 1.7 Complete permits or other required documentation 1.8 Select and wear Personal Protective Equipment appropriate for work activities 1.9 Identify, address and report environmental issues 1.10 Obtain and interpret emergency procedures, and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency |
2. Prepare site | 2.1 Coordinate support requirements and personnel 2.2 Install and utilise barricades or other safety provisions 2.3 Utilise appropriate personal protective 2.4 Set up/assemble tools and associated equipment 2.5 Establish blast pipe into accretion in accordance with blast objective 2.6 Prepare and test the blast pipe in readiness for explosives 2.7 Remove excess equipment to appropriate storage area |
3. Charge and fire the shot | 3.1 Set up exclusion zones and clear non-essential personnel from the area 3.2 Collect required quantities of appropriate explosive to carry out blast objective 3.3 Prepare the charges 3.4 Activate warning devices and notify relevant personnel of intended blast 3.5 Charge the blast pipe and hook up the firing circuit 3.6 Fire the shot 3.7 Complete required reports/documentation |
4. Complete process | 4.1 Disconnect the firing circuit and secure the firing device 4.2 Declare the area safe and inspect the blast area to verify blast objective has been attained 4.3 Manage misfires 4.4 Remove safety provisions, deactivate warning devices and give clearances 4.5 Conduct housekeeping activities |
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 site documentation, policies and procedures
works effectively with others to undertake and complete accretion firing 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 conducting accretion firing that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
planning and preparing for shot firing
supervising the storage and transport of explosives and accessories
preparing for charging and charge holes
conducting the blast
completing post-blast activities
carrying out housekeeping activities
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the following when conducting accretion firing through:
site procedures
explosives legislation
emergency procedures/environmental procedures
equipment purpose, technical capability and limitations
safety requirements
accretion/effects of accretion
hazardous goods procedures (handling and transport)
blast area security
risk management including application of appropriate controls to identified risks
start-up and shutdown procedures
explosives storage procedures
types and characteristics of blasting agents, explosives and initiation systems
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.
Sectors
Metalliferous mining