Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:02 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 long hole drilling

Conduct long hole drilling

Unit of competency
National Code
RIIBHD303A
State Code
WB053
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
22/06/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
28/11/2011
Field of Education
030303 - Mining Engineering
Original Release Date
28/11/2011
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit covers the conducting of long hole drilling in the metalliferous mining industry. It includes planning and preparing drilling site, moving equipment and materials to site, drilling and monitoring progression, packing-up drill site, carrying out operator maintenance and housekeeping activities.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare drilling site
  • 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the conducting of long hole drilling
  • 1.2. Plan and prepare work according to site procedures and relevant legislation
  • 1.3. Receive interpret and clarify shift change over details and review historical information
  • 1.4. Select appropriate personal protective equipment
  • 1.5. Identify, manage and/or report hazards and potential risks according to the work plan
  • 1.6. Inspect and assess site conditions to determine if scaling is required and take action according to site requirements
  • 1.7. Place visible orientation marks to drill plan according to site procedures
  • 1.8. Ensure auxiliary services are available
  • 1.9. Erect physical barricades and signs and/or safety provisions to prevent unauthorised access
  • 1.10. Identify and clearly mark butts/misfires according to site procedures
  • 1.11. Ensure area is well ventilated before entry into work area using dust suppression and extraction methods
  • 1.12. Conduct equipment pre-start checks to insure equipment is safe and ready to use
2. Move equipment and materials to site
  • 2.1. Conduct work according to procedures and relevant specifications in a safe and efficient manner
  • 2.2. Complete pre-start checks and confirm equipment is prepared for transportation
  • 2.3. Identify and manage hazards and potential risks to ensure safe transportation to drill site
  • 2.4. Transport equipment and attachments safely avoiding damage to equipment, site or injury to personnel according to road conditions
  • 2.5. Position and stabilise equipment at site according to ground conditions
  • 2.6. Connect auxiliary services
  • 2.7. Read and interpret and align equipment with orientation marks
3. Drill and monitor progression
  • 3.1. Conduct work according to procedures, requirements and specifications in a safe and efficient manner
  • 3.2. Identify, manage and/or report hazards and potential risks according to work plan
  • 3.3. Use approved dust suppression and extraction methods
  • 3.4. Operate equipment safely within working environment limitations and face/ground conditions
  • 3.5. Interpret drill plans then drills holes and realign equipment according to drill design and ground conditions
  • 3.6. Monitor ground conditions and adjust drilling techniques and components to maintain drilling operations
  • 3.7. Install collar pipes according to site procedures
  • 3.8. Remove drill cuttings and sludge to ensure drill hole remains clean
  • 3.9. Complete all required documentation clearly, concisely and mark misdirected holes according to site procedures
4. Pack-up drill site
  • 4.1. Carry out shutdown procedures
  • 4.2. De-rig equipment
  • 4.3. Clear site of debris
  • 4.4. Remove auxiliary services to allocated area
  • 4.5. Confirm equipment is ready for transport
5. Carry out operator maintenance
  • 5.1. Service and make minor adjustments to equipment
  • 5.2. Visually inspect equipment and report faults and make equipment available for routine operational servicing
  • 5.3. Provide operator support during preparation for, and conduct of maintenance tasks in accordance with site requirements
6. Conduct housekeeping activities
  • 6.1. Clean equipment to maintain condition of equipment and ensure safe and efficient operations
  • 6.2. Clean and store auxiliary service equipment
  • 6.3. Complete all required documentation clearly, concisely and on time
  • 6.4. Pass on end of shift information to oncoming shift
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
Hazards and potential risks may include:
ground control failure
lack of ventilation
loose material on working surface
misfires
gases
entry by unauthorised personnel
uncovered open holes
unstable ground conditions
airborne dust and fibres
unstable footing
poor housekeeping
noise
rotating machinery (drill steels)
electrical hazards
airborne rock fragments
premature explosions
Drill plan may include:
access to inclines and decline depending on the complexity of the process
drill plan/equipment and resource allocations/requirements
geological details
verbal or written instructions
services
stope
Auxiliary services may include:
compressed air
de-watering pumps
electricity
ventilation/water
Dust suppression and extraction methods may include:
mobile/fixed sprays
screens (vent doors, vent blinds)
use of water trucks
ventilation bags operational
watering down site
Equipment pre-start checks may include:
air filter restriction indicator
cab (horn, lights, air conditioner)
computer systems
display instrumentation and gauges (indicators, gauges, laser levels)
engine and stop engine lights (orange and red)
fire and suppression systems
fire extinguishers
fluid levels (windscreen washer tank, hydraulic oil, coolant, grease, water, engine oil, fuel)
visual and audio warning devices and lights
drilling equipment (drill rig booms, drifters, hydraulic hoses, drill steels, bits and couplings)
drill rig platform, steps and hand rails
Equipment may include:
collar piping
covering devices (plugs, cones, hessian bags)
drill rig (electric/hydraulic, pneumatic)
drilling components (drill rods, bits, augers, down hole hammer, down hole tools)
extra lighting (flood lights)
hoses
inclinometer
lifting and handling equipment
long hole extension drills
measuring tape
oils
paint (spray cans)
plates
recovery equipment
scaling bars
signs
support vehicles
tapes
witches' hats
recommended/required PPE
Personnel may include:
blasters
contractors
drillers
drivers
holders of appropriate tickets
licensed operators
maintenance staff
personnel authorised by mine management
service personnel
supervisors
surveyors
tradespersons
Ground conditions may include:
broken ground
dry
location of water table
noise
slope of working surface
stability of ground
stable ground (compaction) amount of scale
ventilation characteristics (fumes, dust)
visibility
wet
Drilling techniques may include:
adjustment to feed
compacting
hammer
removing debris
rotation
speed and pull force adjustments
adjustments to drill steel angle
recovering procedures
Equipment cleaned may include:
platform
steps and hand rails (removal of oil, grease, debris)

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 long hole drilling
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient conducting of long hole drilling
working with others to undertake and complete the long hole drilling that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of long hole 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 long hole 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
W2475 MNMUDB304A Conduct long hole drilling Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WH014 RIIBHD303D Conduct long hole drilling Unit of competency