Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:24 PM AWST
22/07/2026 6:24 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.
Operate mud pumps
Operate mud pumps
Unit of competency
National Code
RIIOGN302A
RIIOGN302A
State Code
WB596
WB596
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
10/02/2010
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
10/02/2010
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit covers the operation of mud pumps in the drilling industry. It includes planning and preparing for operation, monitoring mud pumps, and maintaining and repairing mud pumps. 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.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for operations
- 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity
- 1.2. Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions for the allocated task
- 1.3. Identify, manage and report all potential hazards
- 1.4. Conform to safe working practices and current legislative and operational requirements
- 1.5. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities
- 1.6. Confirm availability of necessary third party utilities in accordance with operational requirements
2. Monitor mud pumps
- 2.1. Visually inspect and listen to mud pumps for abnormal sounds or noise
- 2.2. Check piston lubricating system
- 2.3. Check pop-off valve setting
- 2.4. Check pressure of suction and discharge dampeners
- 2.5. Charge discharge dampener with nitrogen, as required
3. Maintain and repair mud pumps
- 3.1. Check pony rod clamp when pump is turned off
- 3.2. Lubricate gear end of pump and check oil levels in gear end of pump
- 3.3. Identify faults or potential faults and report immediately
- 3.4. Identify, record and/or report requirement for repair or maintenance of mud pumps
- 3.5. Replace defective swabs, liner, valves, seats and wear plates of the fluid end of pump
- 3.6. Ready replacement parts for fluid end of pump
- 3.7. Check liners and swabs for correctness
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, organisational and site requirements and procedures including:
occupational health and safety
duty of care
environmental
petroleum regulations
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
permits
Work instructions may come from briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include:
review of operational requirements
maintenance and inspection of pumping equipment
maintain fluid system to pumps
review PTW requirements
pre-tour safety meeting
review of relative Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
communication through a range of channels including:
2-way radio
intercom
telephone
written instruction
oral instruction
hand signals
Hazards may include:
working in proximity to drilling rig
working in a variety of conditions including:
day/night
storms and lightning
hot/cold
wet/dry (dusty)
Coordination requirements may include:
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
site personnel
Record may include:
service and maintenance
replacement and parts
pump operating logs
Relevant compliance documentation may include:
legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures including:
occupational health and safety
duty of care
environmental
petroleum regulations
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
permits
Work instructions may come from briefings, handovers, plans and work orders and may be written or verbal, formal or informal and may include:
review of operational requirements
maintenance and inspection of pumping equipment
maintain fluid system to pumps
review PTW requirements
pre-tour safety meeting
review of relative Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
communication through a range of channels including:
2-way radio
intercom
telephone
written instruction
oral instruction
hand signals
Hazards may include:
working in proximity to drilling rig
working in a variety of conditions including:
day/night
storms and lightning
hot/cold
wet/dry (dusty)
Coordination requirements may include:
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
site personnel
Record may include:
service and maintenance
replacement and parts
pump operating logs
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 operation of mud pumps
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient operation of mud pumps
working with others to undertake and complete the operation of mud pumps that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely operation of mud pumps 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.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.
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.
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
consistent achievement of required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete the operation of mud pumps
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 operation of mud pumps
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient operation of mud pumps
working with others to undertake and complete the operation of mud pumps that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely operation of mud pumps 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.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.
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.
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
consistent achievement of required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete the operation of mud pumps
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH540 | RIIOGN302D | Operate mud pumps | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W684 | RII32009 | Certificate III in Drilling Oil/Gas (On shore) | Qualification |