Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:14 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.

Support drilling process

Support drilling process

Unit of competency
National Code
RIINHB203A
State Code
WB586
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
22/06/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/01/2010
Field of Education
030303 - Mining Engineering
Original Release Date
19/01/2010
Nominal Hours
96
Description
This unit covers supporting the drilling process in resources and infrastructure industries. It includes: planning and preparing for supporting the drilling process, operating ancillary equipment, cleaning all equipment at drilling site, maintaining levels of supplies, and performing basic measurement and calculations.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for supporting the drilling process
  • 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. Operate ancillary equipment
  • 2.1. Start-up, run, and close down ancillary equipment
3. Clean all equipment at drilling site
  • 3.1. Maintain clean working conditions to minimise any associated safety hazards
  • 3.2. Clean and store vehicles routinely after use to requirements
  • 3.3. Maintain machines and equipment in a clean and serviced condition at all times
  • 3.4. Use cleaning equipment safely and effectively
  • 3.5. Apply approved instructions and occupational health and safety requirements on the use of hazardous chemicals for cleaning and drilling
  • 3.6. Ensure that all cleaning equipment is kept in good working condition
4. Maintain levels of supplies
  • 4.1. Keep driller informed on current stock levels
  • 4.2. Check on availability of consumable items in the workplace regularly
  • 4.3. Complete record keeping, stock counts and paper work as required
5. Perform basic measurement and calculations
  • 5.1. Read tape measure accurately to carry out simple measurements
  • 5.2. Carry out simple calculations and measurements
  • 5.3. Record legibly on all reports
6. Carry out basic operator maintenance
  • 6.1. Identify hazards, and methods of minimising hazards, in conducting maintenance, particularly in the field
  • 6.2. Carry out minor repairs and replacements as required
  • 6.3. Overcome minor breakdowns and bogging using recovery techniques as required
  • 6.4. Carry out vehicle washing and housekeeping regularly
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:
spread of contaminants as a result of drilling or cleaning processes
working in proximity to drilling rig
use of high pressure air for drilling operations
entanglement in rotating pipes
string makeup and breakout hazards
drilling equipment and down-hole tools
Coordination requirements may include
driller
other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
mine personnel
Ancillary equipment may include:
generators (welding/lighting)
pumps
compressors
high pressure cleaning equipment (gernies)
power tools
hand tools
grout mixing
drill fluid (mud) mixing equipment
Cleaning equipment may include:
pressure cleaning
chemical cleaning
manual cleaning
abrasive mechanical cleaning
Calculations and measurements may include:
diameters of drill bits, casing, hole
rod volumes
hole volumes
tank volumes
annular volumes
length of casing

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 supporting the drilling process
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of support of the drilling process
working with others to undertake and complete the support of the drilling process that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of the support of the drilling process 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.
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 support of the drilling process
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
W2145 DRTNHB07A Support drilling process Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WH458 RIINHB203D Support drilling process Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
W662 RII20909 Certificate II in Drilling Operations Qualification