Application
This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to support drilling process in the Resources and Infrastructure Industries.
This unit is appropriate for those working in drillers assistant or drilling roles.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and Industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for supporting the drilling process | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply, support drilling process documentation, and ensure the work activity is compliant 1.2 Obtain, red, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements 1.3 Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues and implement control measures 1.4 Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities 1.5 Obtain and interpret emergency procedures, and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency 1.6 Communicate and coordinate activities with others throughout the work activity |
2. Operate ancillary equipment | 2.1 Set up and dismantle ancillary equipment 2.2 Carry out services connections to and from equipment 2.3 Carry out the required pre-start and start up checks on ancillary equipment 2.4 Run and monitor ancillary equipment |
3. Clean all equipment at drilling site | 3.1 Maintain clean working conditions to minimise any associated safety hazards 3.2 Clean and store vehicles routinely after use to requirements 3.3 Maintain, service and clean machines and equipment to schedule 3.4 Use cleaning equipment safely and effectively 3.5 Ensure that all cleaning equipment is kept in good working condition |
4. Maintain levels of supplies | 4.1 Check on, and communicate to driller, current stock levels 4.2 Check on availability of consumable items in the workplace 4.3 Complete written record and stocktake counts |
5. Perform basic measurement and calculations | 5.1 Read tape measure accurately to carry out simple measurements 5.2 Carry out simple calculations and measurements 5.3 Record legibly on all reports |
6. Carry out basic operator maintenance | 6.1 Identify hazards, and methods of minimising hazards, when conducting maintenance in the field 6.2 Carry out minor repairs and replacements as required 6.3 Overcome minor breakdowns and bogging using recovery techniques as required 6.4 Carry out vehicle washing and housekeeping regularly |
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
implements requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of support of the drilling process including:
operating pressure cleaners
applying basic operator servicing and maintenance of plant and vehicles
applying communication procedures
using lifting equipment
identifying weathered and fresh rock
works effectively with others to undertake and complete the support of the drilling process 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 the support drilling process that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
setting up and dismantling ancillary equipment
carrying out services connections to and from equipment
operating and monitoring ancillary equipment
maintaining stock levels
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the following when supporting drilling processes:
applying the organisation and site requirements and procedures for:
work health and safety
operational maintenance
environmental issues
equipment operation
identifying equipment characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations
identifying the layout of basic hydraulic circuits
applying knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems
interpreting basic geological and technical data
identifying team roles and objectives
accessing, reading and interpreting graphical representation, e.g. maps and diagrams
complying with the requirements to ensure cost effective operations, including work practices that limit damage to equipment and minimise use of consumables
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 must be assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment; 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.