This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to assist with air drilling in the Resources and Infrastructure Industries.

This unit is appropriate for those working in drillers assistant 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.

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 the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient assisting with air drilling including:

operating ancillary equipment

applying basic maintenance and servicing of auxiliary equipment

identifying and measuring bits, shrouds and related components

identifying thread types in use

applying refuelling procedures for vehicles, drill rigs and ancillary equipment

identifying and applying correct lubricants

applying correct handling of samples

carrying out housekeeping

disassemble, inspect and reassemble DTH hammers

install restraining devices to pressure and delivery hoses

inspection and replacement of inner tubes and sealing devices in RC pipe

driving vehicles

complying with basic vehicles cleaning procedures

works effectively with others to undertake and complete the air drilling tasks 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 assisting with air drilling that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

fitting/removing and measuring bits and down-hole tools to/from the drill string

preparing drill string in readiness for tripping and drilling

sharpening drill bits

adding/removing drill rod to and from the drill string

inspecting and maintaining drill pipe, bits, threads and other down-hole equipment

using pipe and casing handling equipment

installing and sealing casing

using, installing and maintaining stuffing boxes and collar T pieces

obtaining uncontaminated samples using appropriate sampling methods

mix drilling fluids

fitting restraining devices to pressure and delivery hoses

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the following when assisting with air drilling:

applying safe work practices and identifying and reporting all potential hazards, risks and environmental issues

identifying the care of samples including storage and transport

using safety data sheets (SDS)

complying with the basic operation of compressors and the need for cleanliness when carrying out compressor maintenance

identifying the critical need to match threads with threads on tubular components

preparing for drilling operational requirements and procedures

complying with the theory behind sharpening bits

complying with the monitoring of sample quality to restrict contamination

identifying the importance of the correct measurement of bits and other related components

understanding the methods for clearing blockages in air or rotary holes

understanding the methods of clearing blocked sample and delivery hoses

complying with the requirement of restraining devices on all high pressure and delivery hoses

identifying the potential hazards with the operation of rod handling devices

being prepared for fire/accident/emergency

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:

*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 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.

Drilling