Elements and Performance Criteria

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 and achievement targets
site location and layout
out of bounds areas
operational conditions
coordination requirements or issues
hazards and potential hazards
waste management requirements
environmental control requirements worksite inspection requirements
barricade and signage requirements
obtaining of permits required
type and quantity of explosives and accessories
equipment availability and/or requirements
plant or equipment defects
transport arrangements and/or requirements
safe storage requirements
public relations requirements
Site conditions may include:
ventilation
ground conditions (e.g. scaling)
illumination
radioactivity
weather conditions
water
Hazards and associated risks may include:
ground conditions
loose rocks from overhead
tipping hazards
fire/flames
not following safety precautions near an open stope
broken detonation leads
premature explosion
atmospheric contaminants
debris
faulty equipment
air blast and fly
high air and water pressures
high voltage electricity
oxygen-deficient atmosphere
unauthorised personnel
wet holes
radio frequencies and transmitters
EMF hazards (e.g. static electricity, lightning)
hot material
lost holes
drilling in butts
drilling into misfires
Explosives may include:
high explosives
permitted explosives
propellant charges
black powder
shaped charges
plaster charges or charges in drill holes
Explosives and associated materials may include:
blasting agents
detonators
detonating cords
water gels or emulsions
bulk or packaged
shaped charges
permitted explosives
high explosives
propellants
pressure loaders (kettle)
detonation mechanisms including:
bell wire
delay mechanisms
initiators
meter readings
safety fuses and tapes
tape
exploders
circuit testers
connecting wire and cables
crimpers
approved detonator chord cutters
stemming rods
loading poles
gas bags
decking
stemming
hole liner
blast monitoring equipment
firing cables/bell wire
remote firing equipment (e.g. PED)
Equipment may include:
drill rig
pneumatic or electric drill/machine drill
other hand held tools
explosives and accessories
poles or rods
recommended/required PPE
ties and bagging material
sandbags
stemming
blast mats
Support requirements may include
other equipment and their operators
vehicles
public and site notification
Environmental issues may include:
ventilation
fume
dust
Pre-blasting procedures may include:
warnings
sentries
area clearance
Exclusion zones may be marked or delineated by one or more of the following:
signage
windrow
bund wall
ribbon
tape
witches' hats
rope
flags or pegs
sentries
gates
Techniques may include:
drilling
shotfiring
snake-holding
bombing
penetration cone fracture (PCF)
cannon
plastering
popping rocks with small charges
Blast objective may include:
breaking oversize materials
unblocking
Post blast coordination may include:
withdrawal of sentries
return of unused explosives and equipment
removal of signs
turning off safety devices
ventilation of area
use of gas detectors
Non-conforming conditions may include:
misfires
blockages
break through
deviation
undercut
ground conditions
ventilation
water/wet holes
hot ground
fumes
dust

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 secondary blasting
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient conducting of secondary blasting
working with others to undertake and complete secondary blasting that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of secondary blasting 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 the conducting of secondary blasting
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.