Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:45 AM AWST

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Set-up and prepare for open cut drilling operations

Set-up and prepare for open cut drilling operations

Unit of competency
National Code
RIIBHD304B
State Code
WC323
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
21/03/2012
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/07/2012
Field of Education
030303 - Mining Engineering
Original Release Date
18/07/2012
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers setting-up and preparing for open cut drilling operations in the mining and extractive industries. It includes: preparing the drilling site; marking out drill pattern; and moving equipment and materials to pattern.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare drilling site
  • 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the setting-up and preparing for open cut drilling operations
  • 1.2. Receive, interpret and clarify shift changeover details
  • 1.3. Identify, manage and report potential hazards and risks according to work plan
  • 1.4. Select personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities
  • 1.5. Conduct equipment pre-start checks to ensure equipment is ready for operation
  • 1.6. Assess site conditions and historical information of past performance to determine and clarify drilling requirements
  • 1.7. Locate and connect ancillary services
  • 1.8. Stabilise drill to minimise delays and breakdowns and ensure safety of operating personnel and continuous drilling
  • 1.9. Communicate with other personnel using approved communication methods
  • 1.10. Adhere to emergency procedures to ensure safety of personnel, plant and equipment
2. Mark out drill pattern
  • 2.1. Erect physical barricades and signage to protect pattern from unauthorised personnel and equipment
  • 2.2. Adjust drill pattern within authorised tolerances and drill pattern
  • 2.3. Obtain authorisation for changes to drill pattern plan from relevant authority
  • 2.4. Place indicators on drill pattern in preparation for hole drilling
  • 2.5. Mark out drill pattern ensuring it is visible and aids the drilling process
  • 2.6. Protect pre-existing drill holes according to characteristics of hole
  • 2.7. Complete all required documentation clearly, concisely and on time
3. Move equipment and materials to pattern
  • 3.1. Prepare rig for moving
  • 3.2. Determine route and destination prior to movement of equipment and materials
  • 3.3. Identify and manage potential hazards to ensure safe transportation to drill site
  • 3.4. Move equipment and attachments safely and avoid damage to equipment and site or injury to personnel
  • 3.5. Align drill rig in appropriate position to access drill pattern efficiently
  • 3.6. Connect ancillary services
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
Potential hazards and risks may include:
abandoned equipment
adjoining pit walls
adverse weather conditions (electrical storms, floods, fires)
chemicals
contaminants
equipment
fences
holes
materials
over-hanging rocks
personnel
pot holes
unsafe ground
unstable faces
vehicles
Pre-start checks may include:
air filter restriction indicator
cab (horn, lights, air conditioner)
display instrumentation and gauges (indicators, gauges, laser levels), computer systems
engine and stop engine lights (orange and red)
fluid levels (windscreen washer tank, hydraulic oil, coolant, grease, water, engine oil, fuel)
visual and audio warning devices and lights
Site conditions may include:
wet and dry
day and night
broken ground
stable ground (compaction) amount of scale
slope of working surface
degree of compaction
location of water table
working over old underground workings and voids
Materials may include:
gravel
ore
oxidised waste
rejects
road base
rubbish
sand
sulphide rock fill
tailings
topsoil
water

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 setting-up and preparing for open cut drilling operations
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient setting-up and preparing for open cut drilling operations
working with others to set-up and prepare for open cut drilling operations that meet all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of setting-up and preparing for open cut drilling operations 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 set-up and prepare for open cut drilling operations
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
WB564 RIIBHD304A Set up and prepare for open-cut drilling operations Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WH015 RIIBHD304D Set up and prepare for open-cut drilling operations Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
D794 RII30112 Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations Qualification