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
Blast plan requirements may include:
nature and scope of tasks and achievement targets
site location and layout
location and direction of blast holes
sleeping charges
equipment required
security measures and procedures
monitoring requirements
type and quantity of explosives and
wet or dry holes
stemming material
type and quantity of explosives and accessories
initiation methods
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
equipment availability and/or requirements
plant or equipment defects
transport arrangements and/or requirements
safe storage requirements
public relations requirements
Site inspections may include:
positioning stemming
cleaning up
weather check
fencing/signage and access routes
marking/hole identification
inspection
measuring holes
dewatering holes
Hazards may include:
chemical energy, including:
premature explosion
deterioration of explosives
stored energy
working environment, including:
rock stability and ventilation
weather conditions
insufficient illumination
methane
coal dust
NOX gases
poor road or rail conditions
strata conditions
fire/flames/ignition sources
atmospheric contaminants
dust and fumes
noise
ground conditions, including:
hot ground
scaling
lack of ventilation
extraneous electricity e.g. static electricity, lightning
tipping hazards
debris
air blast and fly
lost holes
radioactivity
water
equipment and materials, including:
faulty explosives
misfires
drilling into misfires
premature explosion
faulty vehicle
faulty equipment
broken detonation leads
high voltage electricity
radio frequencies and transmitters
hot exhaust system
high air and water pressures
hydraulic oil pressure
people, including:
speeding
unauthorised persons
theft
trespassers
processes and procedures, including:
back injuries
drilling in butts
lost holes
Equipment may include:
siren
radios
signs
vehicles approved for carrying dangerous goods and explosives
explosives mixers
pumps
plugs (to seal finished holes prior to loading)
measuring tape
cutting implements
blast monitoring systems
video camera
Support requirements may include
other equipment and their operators
vehicles
public and site notification
Survey of blast area includes:
locate position, direction and incline of blast holes
survey reports
Geological data may include:
rock type
structures
faults
intrusions
weathering
wet and dry holes
hot ground
reactive ground
hot and reactive ground
Calculations may include:
depth of holes
temperatures
water problems
pattern design
types of explosive
BCM
explosives quantity
powder factor
Explosives may include:
high explosives
low explosives
bulk and packaged explosives
deflagrating explosives
permitted explosives
wet or dry
variable density
Accessories may include:
primers
delays
down lines
trunk lines
lead-in lines
detonators and detonator assemblies
detonation mechanisms including:
bell wire and firing lines
delay mechanisms
blasting machines or mains firing equipment
explosives tester
binding tape
fuses and igniter cords
detonators and detonating cord
gas bags
decking
stemming
hole liner
blast monitoring equipment
firing cables / bell wire
exploders and testers
electronic firing equipment
specialist tools
initiators
Inventory control systems may include:
types and quantities of explosives
shelf life
distribution records
Dispose of explosives may include:
burning by the shotfirers on site
detonation in a production drill hole
detonation in a controlled manner
return to supplier or delivery or surrender to an Explosives Inspector for destruction
Secure blast area sometimes referred to as 'exclusion zones', may be marked or delineated by one or more of the following:
signage
windrow
bund wall
ribbon
tape
witches hats
ropes
flags or pegs
sentries
gates
Non-conforming conditions may include:
misfires
blockages
break through
deviation
undercut
ground conditions
ventilation
water/wet holes
hot ground
Pre-blasting procedures may include:
warnings
sentries
area clearance
Blast initiation systems may include:
safety fuse
detonating cord
non-electric detonator
electric detonator
electronic detonator
remote firing
Misfires may be caused by:
faulty explosives or accessories
damaged or deteriorated explosives or accessories
improperly assembled explosives components
inappropriate or incomplete combinations of components
operator error or inexperience
inattention to detail or ignorance
environmental influences, e.g. wet weather or poor visibility
Post-blast coordination may include:
the return of unused explosives
the return of other equipment
the withdrawing sentries
removal of signs
turning off safety devices
ventilation of area
collection of environmental monitoring equipment
recording of environmental monitoring data
maintenance which may include:
testing of exploders
servicing of mixing equipment
maintenance of hand tools
operational maintenance of bulk delivery equipment
Damaged and deteriorated explosives may be identified by:
exudation
efflorescence
sweating
liquefaction
hardening
softening
discolouration
crystallisation
staining
damage to wrappers and carcasses
damage to containers
physical wear and tear
kinking
abrasions and cuts
crushing
loss of identification labels and markings
exposure to the elements.

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