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
detailed responsibilities and coordination issues and requirements
site layout
essential survey data and locations
essential geological information
known information on blast holes, including:
alignment and location problems
obstructions or voids
wet holes
specifications and equipment requirements
transport and storage issues and requirements
quality of finished works
timings for preparation
achievement targets
operational conditions
public relations
out of bounds areas
worksite inspection requirements
lighting conditions
plant or equipment defects
hazards and potential hazards
coordination requirements or issues
environmental control requirements
waste management requirements
barricade and signage requirements
Hazards may include:
chemical energy, including:
premature explosion
deterioration of explosives
stored energy
working environment, including:
weather conditions
insufficient illumination
NOX gases
poor road or rail conditions
ground conditions
fire/flames/ignition sources
atmospheric contaminants
dust
noise
lack of ventilation
extraneous electricity e.g. static electricity, lightning
equipment and materials, including:
faulty vehicle
faulty equipment
electricity
radio frequencies and transmitters
hot exhaust system
people, including:
speeding
unauthorised persons
theft or unexplained loss of explosives
processes and procedures, including:
manual handling injuries
Coordination requirements may include
shotfirer
blasting team
explosives mixing and delivery personnel
mobile and other equipment operators
maintenance personnel
supervisors
other worksite personnel
Test may include:
rated capacity of exploder or blasting machine
burning rate of safety fuse
resistance of detonators
continuity and insulation of firing lines
serviceability
Explosives and accessories may include:
high and low explosives
bulk or packaged explosives
permitted explosives
shaped charges
detonators
detonating cords and signal tubes and connectors
detonation mechanisms including:
bell wire and firing lines
delay mechanisms
blasting machines or mains firing equipment
exploder and circuit tester
safety fuses
binding tape
pressure loader
venturi loader
non ferrous tools (copper to remove obstructions from blast hole)
approved cord cutters
Check includes:
hole depth or length
blockages
direction
presence of water
Securing and isolating the blast area may include:
witches hats
tapes
signs, including:
pegs
flags
use of radios
ropes
windrow fencing
bund wall

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