This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to prepare equipment for well servicing air operations in Drilling.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that may 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

works effectively with others to undertake and complete preparation of equipment for well servicing air operations 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 throughout work activities

demonstrates completion of the preparation of equipment for well servicing air operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

applies good housekeeping principles

installs restraining devices to pressure and delivery hoses

assisting in the assembly the component for air operations

starts up, fuels and maintains the air pack

rigging up and securing the blooie line

identifies and assists in the mixing of drilling fluids

identifies and uses correct lubricants

applies correct handling of samples

disassembles, inspects and identifies drill bit and subs

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of preparing equipment for well servicing air operations through:

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

determining reasons for identification and care of samples

interpretation and use of safety data sheets (SDS)

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

knowledge of the critical need to match threads with threads on tubular components

carrying out drilling operational requirements and procedures

monitoring of sample quality to restrict contamination

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

methods for clearing blockages in air or rotary holes

methods of clearing blocked sample and delivery hoses

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

identifying potential hazards with the operation of rod handling devices

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 is best assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment;

where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated 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; 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.