ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify and document the design parameters

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the design and implementation of the blast plans

1.2. Identify potential hazards, assess the associated risks and relevant parameters to be applied in the blast design

1.3. Confirm the geological and survey data relevant to the design and implementation of the blast

1.4. Access, interpret and clarify the blast requirements relevant to the design and implementation of the blast

1.5. Identify operational limitations relevant to the design and implementation of the blast

1.6. Identify the available explosives and their characteristics relevant to the design and implementation of the blast

1.7. Identify the available initiation options and their characteristics relevant to the design and implementation of the blast

2. Prepare the blast plan

2.1. Apply the blast design parameters to prepare a safe, effective and efficient blast plan

2.2. Ensure that the blast plan meets all of the blast requirements and parameters

2.3. Prepare and present the blast plan budget in accordance with the organisation's requirements

2.4. Document the blast plan in accordance with relevant legislative and organisation's requirements and procedures

3. Implement, monitor and adjust blast plans

3.1. Issue and explain the blast plan to team members and others involved, for the safe, effective and efficient implementation of the plan

3.2. Provide timely ongoing support and advice to those implementing the blast plan

3.3. Ensure records and reports are maintained and issued in accordance with relevant legislative and organisational requirements

3.4. Monitor the results of the blast against blast design requirements and parameters and the budget

3.5. Resolve anomalies in consultation with relevant stakeholders and issue appropriate instructions for adjustments to future plans and/or their implementation

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 design surface blasts:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

interpret and apply legislative and organisational requirements

interpret and apply geological and survey data

apply blast design procedures and calculations

provide team leadership

choose appropriate operational techniques

choose and assign appropriate plant and equipment

apply procedures for developing, initiating and administering work plans

interpret and apply operational performance data

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 design surface blasts:

site risk, statutory compliance, health, safety, environmental, quality and communication requirements and procedures

geological data

survey data

range of blasting parameters

operational techniques required for execution of the plan

plant and equipment capabilities

work planning techniques

team leadership techniques

consultative and coaching techniques

work monitoring methods

recording and reporting systems

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 the designing of surface blasts

implementation of procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient designing of surface blasts

the identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required to meet the required outcomes

the identification of viable program options and the selection of programs that best meet the required outcomes

working with others to undertake and complete surface blasts

consistent and timely completion of surface blast designs

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 a civil works 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 procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of the required outcomes

identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required

identification of viable options and the selection of options that best meet the required outcomes

consistently achieving the required outcomes

first hand testimonial and documentary evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to undertake and complete surface blasts

consistent and timely gaining of approval of surface blast designs

provision of clear, timely required support and advice on the implementation of surface blast designs

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

Potential hazards may include:

dust and fumes

faulty explosives

ground conditions

high air and water pressures

high voltage electricity

radio frequencies and transmitters

EMF hazards (e.g. static electricity, lightning)

hot ground

the transmission of compression-tension elastic vibrations in both solids and gases

the generation and projection of elements, compounds and particulates from the site of explosion and related quantifiable damage

physical damage to the environment

damage to infrastructure

damage to fauna and flora

impact on human and domestic animal life and amenity

perceived and psychological-emotional disturbance

fluctuations and alterations of the hydrosphere

Geological data may include:

rock (or other material) types and characteristics

faults and joints

Survey data may include:

site and neighbouring land form

site and neighbouring boundaries and structures

site and neighbouring roads and other infrastructure

approved limits of extraction

Blast requirements may include:

production volumes

heave

throw

fragmentation

maximum instantaneous charge

environmental constraints

development consent conditions

any site specific special requirements

worksite and/or pit plan

Operational limitations may include:

available drilling equipment

historic data

economic

Explosives may include:

high explosives (e.g. packaged and bulk high explosives

low explosives (e.g. black powder)

deflagrating explosives (e.g. propellants used for secondary blasting)

detonators and detonator assemblies

detonating cords and accessories

fuses and igniter cords

Initiation options may include:

electrical

non electrical

delay detonators

electronic delays

Blast design parameters may include those required to account for:

legislative requirements and procedures

organisation's requirements and procedures

potential hazards

geological factors

survey data

blast requirements

operational limitations

available explosives

available initiation options

Blast plan may include:

explosives to be used

initiation system to be used

initiation sequence to be used

decking requirements

stemming requirements

blast hole pattern (including burden and spacing and orientation)

blast hole diameters

blast hole depth

blast hole incline

sub-grade requirement

Stakeholders may include:

site and off-site employees

contractors

equipment suppliers

geologists, surveyors and/or draughtspersons

regulatory authorities representatives

community representatives

site neighbours