Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:06 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:06 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Carry out drilling industry operational maintenance
Carry out drilling industry operational maintenance
Unit of competency
National Code
RIISAM215A
RIISAM215A
State Code
WB635
WB635
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/12/2012
Field of Education
030303 - Mining Engineering
Original Release Date
14/12/2012
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the carrying out of operational maintenance in the drilling industry. It includes: planning and preparing for maintenance tasks; carrying out pre-drilling checks and maintenance; performing machine checks; maintaining all down-hole tools and other drilling consumables; performing machinery maintenance; and performing field repairs.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for maintenance tasks
- 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the carrying out of operational maintenance in the drilling industry
- 1.2. Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions for the allocated task
- 1.3. Identify, manage and report all potential hazards
- 1.4. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities
- 1.5. Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment
2. Carry out pre-drilling checks and maintenance
- 2.1. Carry out checks on drill
- 2.2. Complete mine site/company checklist sheet
- 2.3. Lubricate all systems where necessary
- 2.4. Top up fluid levels and bleed where necessary
- 2.5. Check filters and clean/replace if necessary
- 2.6. Check security of all circulation systems, as required
- 2.7. Keep cabin, seat belts and windscreen clean and windscreen washer functioning
3. Perform machine checks
- 3.1. Carry out timed and regular equipment inspection, servicing and lubrication in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations/company procedures and record details
- 3.2. Identify faults or potential faults and report immediately
- 3.3. Observe isolation/tag out/lock out procedures
- 3.4. Identify, record and/or report requirement for repair or maintenance and critical time line for rectification
- 3.5. Monitor effectiveness of maintenance performed
4. Maintain all down hole tools and other drilling consumables
- 4.1. Carry out component maintenance safely and according to procedures and instructions
- 4.2. Maintain and store tools and consumables according to site procedures
5. Perform machinery maintenance
- 5.1. Minimise equipment breakdown by regular servicing and maintenance and performance of overhauls to manufacturer's specifications
- 5.2. Use tag out/lock out when servicing
- 5.3. Carry out minor servicing of equipment avoiding disruption to production
- 5.4. Carry out routine inspection, servicing, lubrication and housekeeping tasks to manufacturer's and/or site requirements
- 5.5. Read and follow instructions on maintenance procedures, lubrication tasks, filter change/service accurately
- 5.6. Identify and change wear parts, and record relative frequency of replacement
- 5.7. Use diagnostic and troubleshooting techniques and take action
- 5.8. Identify operational faults in and maintain hydraulic systems
- 5.9. Report service and repair requirements and take action according to company procedures
6. Perform field repairs
- 6.1. Isolate and rectify equipment faults
- 6.2. Identify extent of repair needed and obtain spare parts
- 6.3. Identify, select and use tools required for maintenance and repairs correctly
- 6.4. Return re-usable components or accessories in accordance with site requirements
- 6.5. Review equipment and re-set in response to variations in production needs
- 6.6. Recognise system faults and formulate appropriate responses within agreed time lines
- 6.7. Maintain records of action taken in accordance with site requirements
- 6.8. Dismantle, assess, service, repair, reassemble and test a given drill component in a safe manner
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant compliance documentation
may include:
legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Work instructions may come from briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include:
nature and scope of tasks
specifications
quality of finished works
achievement targets
operational conditions
obtaining of permits required
site layout
out of bounds areas
worksite inspection requirements
lighting conditions
plant or equipment defects
hazards and potential hazards
coordination requirements or issues
contamination control requirements
environmental control requirements
barricade and signage requirements
Hazards may include:
spread of contaminants as a result of maintenance activities
working in proximity to drilling rig and other equipment
high pressure air and hydraulic
rotating components
Coordination requirements may include
driller
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
mine personnel
Personal protective equipment includes:
steel-capped boots and hardhat
gloves
dust mask
eye and hearing protection
general protective and reflective clothing
Checks may include:
regular visual inspection including pre-start neutral for all control levers
check on correct operation
observation of display instruments and gauges function
observation of recording instruments and gauges
hydraulic system (including filters, strainers, hose, hose fitting and oils)
air systems and filters
vehicles (including wheels, tyres, clutch, brakes and fluid levels)
batteries
Faults may be indicated by:
indications on instruments or gauges
noises
vibrations
smells
overheated hydraulic motors or lines
visual indicators (e.g. smoke)
Maintenance and storage of tools and consumables may include:
effective storage
use of desiccants
store chemicals (cement, bentonite, and so on) in safe dry conditions secure from livestock
Consumables may include:
oils - engine, gear box, hydraulic
greases
rig spare parts
down hole tools spare parts
Machinery maintenance may include:
operating checks
daily checks
programmed maintenance
breakdown maintenance
prescribed lubrication
Diagnostic and trouble shooting techniques may include:
diagnostics built into equipment
diagnostics applying externally
troubleshooting procedures recommended by manufacturers
troubleshooting procedures developed by organisation
knowledge of sources of help for more complex problems
Reporting requirements may include:
tool records
service and maintenance
metres drilled
operating hours since last service
Relevant compliance documentation
may include:
legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Work instructions may come from briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include:
nature and scope of tasks
specifications
quality of finished works
achievement targets
operational conditions
obtaining of permits required
site layout
out of bounds areas
worksite inspection requirements
lighting conditions
plant or equipment defects
hazards and potential hazards
coordination requirements or issues
contamination control requirements
environmental control requirements
barricade and signage requirements
Hazards may include:
spread of contaminants as a result of maintenance activities
working in proximity to drilling rig and other equipment
high pressure air and hydraulic
rotating components
Coordination requirements may include
driller
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
mine personnel
Personal protective equipment includes:
steel-capped boots and hardhat
gloves
dust mask
eye and hearing protection
general protective and reflective clothing
Checks may include:
regular visual inspection including pre-start neutral for all control levers
check on correct operation
observation of display instruments and gauges function
observation of recording instruments and gauges
hydraulic system (including filters, strainers, hose, hose fitting and oils)
air systems and filters
vehicles (including wheels, tyres, clutch, brakes and fluid levels)
batteries
Faults may be indicated by:
indications on instruments or gauges
noises
vibrations
smells
overheated hydraulic motors or lines
visual indicators (e.g. smoke)
Maintenance and storage of tools and consumables may include:
effective storage
use of desiccants
store chemicals (cement, bentonite, and so on) in safe dry conditions secure from livestock
Consumables may include:
oils - engine, gear box, hydraulic
greases
rig spare parts
down hole tools spare parts
Machinery maintenance may include:
operating checks
daily checks
programmed maintenance
breakdown maintenance
prescribed lubrication
Diagnostic and trouble shooting techniques may include:
diagnostics built into equipment
diagnostics applying externally
troubleshooting procedures recommended by manufacturers
troubleshooting procedures developed by organisation
knowledge of sources of help for more complex problems
Reporting requirements may include:
tool records
service and maintenance
metres drilled
operating hours since last service
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for carrying out of operational maintenance in the drilling industry
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient carrying out of operational maintenance in the drilling industry
working with others to undertake and complete operational maintenance in the drilling industry that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of operational maintenance in the drilling industry that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit must be assessed in the context of the 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 workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistently achieving the required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete operational maintenance in the drilling industry
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for carrying out of operational maintenance in the drilling industry
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient carrying out of operational maintenance in the drilling industry
working with others to undertake and complete operational maintenance in the drilling industry that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of operational maintenance in the drilling industry that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit must be assessed in the context of the 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 workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistently achieving the required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete operational maintenance in the drilling industry
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W2160 | DRTNHB22A | Carry out operational maintenance | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH665 | RIISAM215D | Carry out drilling industry operational maintenance | Unit of competency |