Directional drilling is undertaken for large diameter bores in hard rock or other difficult geology. The directionally drilled hole may subsequently be reamed and have product pipe installed, or it may be for coal seam methane drainage or similar. This unit is appropriate for those working in drillers assistants roles at surface worksites within:
Coal mining
Drilling
Not applicable.
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan and prepare for assisting with surface directional drilling | 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity 1.2. Identify, manage and report all potential hazards 1.3. Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions for the allocated task 1.4. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities 1.5. Load, unload, move, handle directional drilling equipment and all associated tools and connecting equipment 1.6. Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment and protective clothing |
2. Support the surface directional drilling process | 2.1. Position and number drill rods in readiness for drilling 2.2. Inspect in-hole drilling components for damage 2.3. Fit and remove in-hole drilling components to and from the drill string as instructed 2.4. Apply housekeeping 2.5. Maintain communication with all relevant personnel 2.6. Identify unplanned gas and water leakage and other environmental hazards |
3. Carry out basic maintenance of tools and equipment | 3.1. Monitor the drill rods for wear and damage and dress and grease threads in accordance with standard procedures or replace rods 3.2. Rotate rods 3.3. Monitor all drill equipment and hoses and ancillary equipment and carryout remedial action 3.4. Apply environmental controls 3.5. Ensure that drill fluids are appropriately contained and disposed of |
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 assist with surface directional drilling: apply safe manual handling practices apply ancillary equipment operating procedures including: pumps ventilation equipment personal protective equipment apply operational communication procedures apply inspection and monitoring procedures apply maintenance procedures |
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 assist with surface directional drilling: legislative, organisation's and site OHS requirements potential underground directional drilling hazards potential underground work environment hazards potential underground environmental hazards organisations operational requirements and procedures manufacturer's requirements and procedures specific handling requirements for underground drilling equipment housekeeping requirements and procedures |
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 assisting with surface directional drilling implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient assisting with surface directional drilling working with others to undertake and complete surface directional drilling that meets all of the required outcomes consistent timely completion of the assisting with surface directional drilling that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes |
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 the work 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 requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes consistently achieving the required outcomes first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's: working with others to undertake and complete surface directional drilling |
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, organisational 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 |
Hazards may include: | handling, loading, moving, using and storing working in proximity to drilling rig inadequate communication with drill crew entanglement in rotating equipment inhalation or ignition of noxious or flammable gases |
Work instructions may come from: | briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include: nature and scope of tasks specifications quality of finished works achievement targets operational conditions obtaining of permits required site layout out of bounds areas worksite inspection requirements lighting conditions plant or equipment defects hazards and potential hazards coordination requirements or issues contamination control requirements environmental control requirements barricade and signage requirements |
Coordination requirements may include: | other equipment operators maintenance personnel supervisors mine personnel |
Personal protective equipment includes: | steel-capped boots and hardhat gloves dust mask eye and hearing protection general protective and reflective clothing |
In-hole drilling components may include: | drill rods drill bits reamers survey tools down-hole motors |
Relevant personnel may include: | drill crew members mine staff and supervisors site safety personnel statutory persons |
Ancillary equipment may include: | pumps water disposal lines ventilation equipment |
Remedial action may include: | clearing or remove obstructions replacing damaged hoses topping-up lubricants |
Drilling (General)
Refer to Unit Sector(s).
Not applicable.
This unit contains employability skills.
Refer to Unit Descriptor.