This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct underground in-seam directional drilling in Coal mining and Drilling.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

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

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 completion of conducting of underground in-seam directional drilling including:

applying safe manual handling practices

operating survey equipment

using drill bit, down-hole motor, and survey tool

conducting inspection and monitoring

conducting equipment maintenance

reading, interpreting and applying drill plans

operating ancillary equipment operating

works effectively with others to undertake and complete the conducting of underground in-seam directional drilling 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 conducting of underground in-seam directional drilling that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

calibrating survey tool

setting up the orientation of the survey tool and the down-hole motor

conducting on-going surveys at intervals in accordance with the drill plan and use the result to adjust the orientation of the down-hole motor

choosing drill bits appropriate to the geology

identifying, selecting and applying rig operational controls

monitoring and adjusting drilling technique according to conditions

reorienting the down-hole motor when branching is required to achieve required deviation of the hole

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in conducting underground in-seam directional drilling through:

accessing, interpreting and applying the organisation and site requirements and procedures for:

work, health and safety

environmental issues

operating drill rig

housekeeping

identifying the potential underground directional drilling hazards

principles of underground in-seam directional drilling operations

complying with the manufacturer’s requirements and procedures

specific handling requirements for underground drilling equipment

basic geology types and their impact on underground in-seam directional drilling operations

appropriate drill bits for different geology types

appropriate reamers for different geology types

importance and functions of the standpipe

understanding the maximum radius of curvature for drill string

understanding the types of drill fluid and their applications

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.

Coal mining

Drilling