This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct horizontal directional drilling in Civil construction and Drilling.

This unit is appropriate for those working in driller 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 horizontal directional drilling including:

applying rig operating techniques

operating ancillary equipment

maintaining down hole equipment

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

selecting appropriate cutting tool and drilling rig/components

aligning drilling head with survey tool and survey control system

monitoring drill path ensuring pilot hole meets conformance envelope and dogleg severity is within limits

steering drill head to achieve required pitch and direction

monitoring and interpreting all gauge/dial readings

monitoring and interpreting drill head position and pitch

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in conducting horizontal directional drilling through:

accessing, interpreting and applying the organization and site requirements and procedures for;

work, health and safety

environmental issues

operating drill rig

housekeeping

understanding the basic rock/geology types and their impact on HDD operations

appropriate drill heads for different geology types

appropriate back reamers for different geology types

minimum radius of curvature for drill stem and for different products

methods of steering or tracking the drill head

principles of horizontal directional drilling

types of drill fluid, their uses and make up/adjustment procedures

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.

Civil construction

Drilling