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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare to conduct underground shotfiring operations
   • Obtain, interpret, confirm and clarify blasting management plan and blast plan requirements and job requirements
   • Access, interpret and apply shotfiring documentation and confirm work activity is compliant
   • Identify, manage and report potential hazards, risks and environmental issues according to legislative and site requirements
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment according to site requirements
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures and confirm steps required to respond to emergencies
   • Coordinate vehicle, equipment and personnel support requirements within scope of own role
   • Access, interpret and apply environmental, geological and survey data according to job requirements
   • Carry out calculations required for pattern design, loading and tying in shots
   • Complete pattern design according to job requirements
   • Carry out briefings according to job and site requirements
   • Identify and confirm explosives and accessories according to job requirements
2. Supervise storage and transport of explosives and accessories
   • Order and obtain explosives and accessories according to job requirements
   • Confirm explosives and accessories are stored according to site requirements
   • Confirm inventory control systems are maintained according to site requirements
   • Confirm explosives and accessories are transported to blast area and segregate according to legislative requirements
   • Confirm that explosives are not left unattended
   • Identify and dispose of deteriorated or out-of-date explosives and accessories according to job and site requirements
   • Identify, manage and report potential hazards and risks according to legislative and site requirements
   • Secure blast area according to blast plan and site requirements
   • Establish and communicate access routes to shot area for authorised persons and vehicles
   • Identify hole locations and non-conforming conditions
   • Set up charging equipment according to job and site requirements
   • Prepare holes for charging according to job and site requirements
   • Supervise blast personnel during loading operations within scope of own role
   • Prime and charge holes according to loading plan
   • Confirm blast holes are charged according to loading plan and identify non-conforming conditions
   • Apply explosion inhibitor according to blast plan
   • Confirm blast holes are stemmed according to blast plan
   • Clear area and isolate/barricade blast area according to site requirements
   • Test equipment and accessories according to manufacturer specifications and site requirements
   • Maintain records according to site requirements
   • Conduct blast monitoring according to site requirements
   • Carry out preblasting procedures and establish exclusion zone according to blast plan
   • Tie in pattern and check according to blast plan
   • Evaluate proposed firing time against potential factors impacting the blast
   • Carry out firing clearance processes according to blast plan
   • Check shot and complete records according to blast plan
3. Complete post blast activities
   • Carry out post blast inspection
   • Secure firing circuits and initiation device according to manufacture specifications and site requirements
   • Report blasting completion to relevant personnel
   • Carry out post-blast coordination and declare area safe for re-entry according to site requirements
   • Inspect site and address non-conformities according to site requirements
   • Identify and dispose of surplus, damaged and deteriorated explosives and detonators according to manufacturer specifications and site requirements
   • Confirm emergency services are advised of disposal activities according to site procedures
   • Complete written reports
4. Carry out equipment maintenance
   • Carry out inspection and required maintenance according to manufacturer specifications and site requirements
   • Complete maintenance records according to site requirements

Performance Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

conduct shotfiring operations in underground coal mines on at least two occasions, including:

planning and preparing for shotfiring

completing pattern designs, including requirements for:

loading

hole spacing and depth

stemming

wiring

supervising storage and transport of explosives and accessories

preparing for charging and charging holes

conducting blasts

completing post-blast activities

carrying out equipment maintenance.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply relevant documentation and procedures and confirm work activity is compliant

work effectively with others to undertake and complete shotfiring operations in underground coal mines that meet all of the required outcomes, including:

complying with reporting requirements and procedures

communicating clearly and concisely with others to:

receive and clarify work instructions

communicate requirements within scope of own role.

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

key legislation required to conduct shotfiring operations in underground coal mines, including those relating to:

storage and segregation of explosives

misfires

safety and health requirements

permitted explosives categories

key procedures and documentation required to conduct shotfiring operations in underground coal mines, including:

blast management plan

blast plan

loading plan

Australian standards and code of practice relating to shotfiring operations

site and equipment safety procedures

personal safety and site emergency procedures

planning processes

site environmental requirements and constraints, including those relating to:

chemicals

airborne contaminants, including dust and fumes

noise, vibration and airblast overpressure

hot, reactive and fibrous ground

types, physical and technical characteristics, uses and limitations of explosives and accessories and protection measures associated with their use, including:

initiation systems

disposal methods

types and causes of non-conforming conditions andnonconformities and associated inspection and management techniques, including:

misfires

delayed blasts

blockages

break throughs

deviations

undercuts

ground conditions

ventilation

water/wet holes

techniques for analysing and applying site geological and survey data, including site geological and survey information

principles and techniques for selecting appropriate explosives to meet site conditions

techniques for clearing and isolating blast areas, including barricades and warning signs

monitoring and review processes and techniques

principles and techniques for identifying and responding to relevant hazards and emergencies

techniques for coordinating job activities with others.

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