This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to apply operate mud pumps in drilling.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational 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 that the candidate:

locates and applies applicable documentation, policies and procedures

implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient operation of mud pumps including:

identifying, addressing and reporting potential hazards and risks

controlling identified hazards

identifying, addressing and reporting environmental issues

preparing written records and reports

rectifying and/or reporting faults and malfunctions

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

recognising and reporting equipment malfunction or failure

working as directed by driller in timely and efficient manner

checking pumps visually and aurally

checking piston lubrication system

setting pop-off valve

checking pressure of suction and discharge dampeners

charging discharge damper with nitrogen

lubricating and checking oil levels in gear end of pump

replacing swabs, liners, valves, seats and wear plates of fluid end of pump

preparing replacement parts for fluid end

ensuring correct liners and swabs are in use

correctly aligning mud pump discharge valves

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the following in operating mud pumps:

compliance with legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

company and statutory safety guidelines, procedures and practices for:

emergency signals

safe operation of equipment

rig maintenance

normal drilling operations

non-routine drilling operations

using mud pumps

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors; 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