Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:21 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:21 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.
Conduct surface directional drilling
Conduct surface directional drilling
Unit of competency
National Code
RIINHB310A
RIINHB310A
State Code
WB180
WB180
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
09/07/2010
Field of Education
030303 - Mining Engineering
Original Release Date
09/07/2010
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit covers conducting surface directional drilling in coal mining and drilling industries. It includes planning and preparing for drilling, boring pilot hole, maintaining equipment and responding to problems.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for conducting surface directional drilling
- 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. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities
2. Bore pilot hole
- 2.1. Select appropriate cutting tool and drilling rig and components
- 2.2. Confirm that all preliminary and safety checks have been done
- 2.3. Fit locating device to drill head and attach drill head to drill stem
- 2.4. Align drilling head with survey tool and survey control system
- 2.5. Drill pilot hole according to design alignment
- 2.6. Monitor drill path ensuring pilot hole meets conformance envelope and dogleg severity is within limits
- 2.7. Add drill stem sections as required
- 2.8. Steer drill head to achieve required pitch and direction
- 2.9. Monitor and interpret all gauge and dial readings
- 2.10. Monitor and interpret drill fluid return and drill spoil
- 2.11. Monitor and interpret drill head position and pitch
- 2.12. Maintain communication with all relevant personnel
- 2.13. Maintain drill log and reports as required
3. Maintain equipment
- 3.1. Monitor wear on drill stem, particularly threads
- 3.2. Dress damaged threads or replace drill stem as required
- 3.3. Check all equipment and hoses
- 3.4. Monitor wear on drill heads and reamers and take required action
- 3.5. Clean all equipment on completion of bore, ensuring environmental controls are followed
- 3.6. Rotate drill stems in stack
- 3.7. Ensure drill fluid is contained or disposed of appropriately
- 3.8. Keep site safe for all possible users for the total duration of the job
- 3.9. Leave site in a safe and tidy condition which complies with all relevant regulations
4. Respond to problems
- 4.1. Identify possible problems in equipment or process
- 4.2. Determine problems needing action
- 4.3. Determine possible fault causes
- 4.4. Rectify problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility
- 4.5. Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
- 4.6. Report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person
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
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:
handling and moving loads
moving components on drilling rig
overhead and underground utilities, including:
electrical power lines (overhead or buried)
gas pipes
water pipes
waste pipes (including stormwater, trade waste and sewerage)
inadequate communication
rotating equipment
noxious gases
flammable gases
Coordination requirements may include:
drill team
operators of other equipment
maintenance personnel
supervisors
worksite personnel
Drill heads include:
tri-cone rock bits
other down hole cutting tools
Drill fluids may include:
Bentonite clay
polymer
pH adjusting agents such as soda ash
Operational problems may include:
buried utilities in path of bore
changing geological formations, particularly cobble, rock or unstable/porous formation
reliable communications with assistant(s)
selection of best drill head and back reamer
Relevant compliance documentation
may include:
legislative, organisational 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:
handling and moving loads
moving components on drilling rig
overhead and underground utilities, including:
electrical power lines (overhead or buried)
gas pipes
water pipes
waste pipes (including stormwater, trade waste and sewerage)
inadequate communication
rotating equipment
noxious gases
flammable gases
Coordination requirements may include:
drill team
operators of other equipment
maintenance personnel
supervisors
worksite personnel
Drill heads include:
tri-cone rock bits
other down hole cutting tools
Drill fluids may include:
Bentonite clay
polymer
pH adjusting agents such as soda ash
Operational problems may include:
buried utilities in path of bore
changing geological formations, particularly cobble, rock or unstable/porous formation
reliable communications with assistant(s)
selection of best drill head and back reamer
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 conducting surface directional drilling
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of surface directional drilling
working with others to undertake and complete surface directional drilling that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of surface directional drilling 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 surface directional drilling
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 conducting surface directional drilling
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of surface directional drilling
working with others to undertake and complete surface directional drilling that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of surface directional drilling 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 surface directional drilling
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| W2171 | DRTNHB33A | Conduct directional drilling | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH479 | RIINHB310D | Conduct surface directional drilling | Unit of competency |