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 assisting with air drilling

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient assisting with air drilling

working with others to undertake and complete the air drilling tasks that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of assisting with air drilling tasks 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 air drilling tasks

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to assist with air drilling:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

operate ancillary equipment such as air compressors, boosters and cyclones (equipment is to some extent dependent on the type of air drilling being carried out)

apply basic maintenance and servicing of compressors and auxiliary equipment

measure and identify hammer bits, shrouds and related components

identify thread types in use on site

identify bits in use and how to measure them

use various rod handling equipment on site

assist with the removal/adding of drill rods to the line string

apply refuelling procedures for vehicles, drill rigs and ancillary equipment

identify correct lubricants

apply correct handling of samples

apply good housekeeping principles

disassemble, inspect and reassemble DTH hammers

install restraining devices to pressure and delivery hoses

inspect and replace inner tubes in RC pipe

inspect and replace sealing devices in RC pipe

install T piece to collar casing

identify and mix of drill additives

identification of bits

apply basic maintenance of water delivery pumps

apply vehicles cleaning procedures

drive vehicles

Note: these skills may not be used by ALL air drilling methods

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the performance criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following as required to assist with air drilling:

reasons for identification and care of samples including storage and transport

OHS and environment requirements and procedures

use of materials safety data sheets (MSDS)

basic operation of compressors and the need for cleanliness when carrying out compressor maintenance

critical need to match threads with threads on tubular components

drilling operational requirements and procedures

theory behind sharpening bits

monitoring of sample quality to restrict contamination

importance of correct measurement of bits and other related components

methods for clearing blockages in air or rotary holes

methods of clearing blocked sample and delivery hoses

requirement of restraining devices on all high pressure and delivery hoses

potential hazards with the operation of rod handling devices

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

Hazards may include:

release of gases from formation or samples obtained

spread of contaminants as a result of drilling or cleaning processes

change in the chemistry of contaminants as a result of drilling and recovery of the samples

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 will depend on the air drilling method being used

Coordination requirements may include:

other equipment operators

maintenance personnel

supervisors

mine personnel

Personal protective equipment includes:

steel-capped boots and hardhat

gloves

dust mask

eye and hearing protection

general protective and reflective clothing

Bits may include:

tri-cone bits

blade bits

tungsten carbide 'core' bits

DTH hammer bits RC and conventional

PCD bits

Rod and pipe may include:

air core rods

casing

conventional drill pipe

dual wall reverse circulation drill pipe

API and IF threads

Pipe and casing handling equipment may include:

rod clamps (hydraulic or manual)

manual handling

hoisting plugs

C spanner

hook and clam shell pipe or rod sling

hydraulic pipe/rod/casing spinner

mechanised rod handler

slips

slips basket

Samples may include:

chip samples (RAB, Aircore, DTH hammer, RC samples)

'core' samples from air core drilling

Sampling equipment may include:

cyclones

sample splitters

wet samplers

rotary samplers

Restraining devices may include:

internal cable whip checks

double eyelet sock type whip checks

full sock whip checks

Dangers of high velocity samples may be caused by:

high wear rates on components

sample hose blockages

sample hose rupture

Drilling fluids and additives may include:

air

foam

polymers

water