This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist continuous flight auger drilling in the resources and infrastructure industry. It prepares individuals to assist with the augering process including during set up, augering, cleaning, basic maintenance and water sampling.

It applies to those working in assistant driller roles. They generally work under supervision to undertake a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

assist continuous flight auger drilling on at least two occasions, including:

fitting and removing bits to and from the lead auger

laying out auger string in readiness for auger process

inserting removing augers from the drill string and assisting with auger to auger connections.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply documentation required for assisting continuous flight auger drilling

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for assisting with continuous flight auger drilling, including:

operating ancillary equipment

applying basic maintenance and servicing of auxiliary equipment

measuring and identifying flight auger components

identifying thread types in use on site

identifying bits in use and how to measure them

applying safe storage of tools

using load handling equipment on site

assisting driller in removal and adding of drill rods to line string

identifying and applying required lubricants

conducting housekeeping

complying with basic vehicle cleaning procedures

installing restraining devices to pressure and delivery hoses

identifying bits to suit differing ground conditions

work with others to assist continuous flight auger drilling tasks that meet required outcomes, including:

complying with reporting requirements and procedures

communicating with others to receive and clarify work instructions

communicating with others to meet coordination requirements throughout work activities.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

key policies and procedures and established requirements for assisting continuous flight auger drilling, including those for:

work, health and safety

emergencies

relevant environmental practices including those for disposing of and neutralising excess spoil and water

test bore and well abandonment

basic soil description

communicating with other personnel throughout work activities

loading, unloading, moving, handling, using equipment

refuelling vehicles, drill rigs and ancillary equipment

cleaning equipment including using high pressure and steam cleaning equipment

inspecting and maintaining equipment including checking for serviceability condition of flights, threads, socket connectors, D clips and bits

fitting and removing bits to and from lead auger

laying out auger string

inserting and removing augers form drill string

assisting auger to auger connections

conducting water sampling

housekeeping

procedures for calculating volume in cylinders and tanks

safe work practices for use of cleaning equipment, chemicals and materials

drilling team roles and objectives.

Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment required to assist continuous flight auger drilling

be conducted in a safe environment; and,

be assessed in the context of this sector's work environment; and,

be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures and processes directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances.

Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated work 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.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must be able to clearly demonstrate current and relevant industry knowledge and experience to satisfy the mandatory regulatory standards as set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/Australian Quality Training Framework mandatory requirements for assessors current at the time of assessment and any relevant licensing and certification requirements. This includes:

vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed

current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided

current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment

formal relevant qualifications in training and assessment

having knowledge of and/or experience using the latest techniques and processes

possessing the required level of RII training product knowledge

having an understanding and knowledge of legislation and regulations relevant to the industry and to employment and workplaces

demonstrating the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence outlined in this unit of competency, and

the minimum years of current** work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below in an industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit.

It is also acceptable for the appropriately qualified assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together and for the industry expert to be involved in the assessment judgement. The industry expert must have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided. This means the industry subject matter expert must demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed:

*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the RII Companion Volume Implementation Guide located on VETNet.

**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 a minimum number of site assessments as determined by the relevant industry sector, across various locations.

*** While a unit of competency does not have an AQF level, where a unit is being delivered outside of a qualification the first numeric character in the unit code should be considered as the AQF indicator level for assessment purposes.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Drilling