This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with air drilling in the resources and infrastructure industries. It prepares individuals to support the rotary air drilling process, use restraining devices, mix drilling fluids and carry out basic maintenance of tools and equipment.

It applies to those working in assistant roles for rotary air drilling including RAB, blade, roller bit, PCD and conventional hammer drilling. This unit does not apply to reverse circulation (RC) drilling. They generally work under supervision to undertake a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures and take some responsibility for the quality of work outcomes.

Licensing, legislative and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and Industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the unit.

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 rotary air drilling on at least two occasions, including:

checking restraining devices to pressure and delivery hoses and rectifying or reporting identified faults if required.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply required documentation, policies and procedures

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for assisting with rotary air drilling, including:

operating ancillary equipment

following required manual handling procedures

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 if required

carrying out housekeeping

disassemble, inspect and reassemble down-hole tools/bottom hole assembly

driving vehicles

complying with basic vehicles cleaning procedures

work 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 with others to receive and clarify work instructions

communicating with others to resolve 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, procedures and established requirements for assisting air drilling, including those for:

fires, accidents and emergencies

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

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

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

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

methods for clearing blockages in air or rotary holes

methods of clearing blocked sample and delivery hoses.

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

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment required to assist rotary air 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 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 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