This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist surface directional drilling in coal mining and drilling. It prepares individuals to position, inspect and carry out basic maintenance of tools and equipment including drill rods, in-hole drilling components, hoses and ancillary equipment.

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 surface directional drilling on at least two occasions, including:

positioning and numbering drill rods in readiness for drilling

inspect in-hole drilling components for damage

fitting and removing in-hole drilling components to and from drill string

checking drill rods for wear and damage

checking on hoses and ancillary equipment.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply documentation required to assist surface directional drilling

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for assisting with surface directional drilling, including:

operating ancillary equipment, including:

pumps

ventilation equipment

working wearing personal protective equipment

applying operational communication procedures

inspecting and monitoring equipment

applying basic maintenance of tools and equipment

complying with basic vehicle cleaning procedures

work with others to assist surface directional drilling that meets 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 prior to commencing and during 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 surface directional drilling, including those for:

work health and safety

emergencies

environment practices

loading, unloading and handling drilling equipment

refuelling vehicles, drill rigs and ancillary equipment

inspecting and performing maintenance on tools and equipment

housekeeping

reading, interpreting and complying with safety data sheets (SDS)

equipment types and functions

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 surface directional 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.

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

Coal mining

Drilling