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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare to conduct underground production shotfiring
   • Obtain, interpret confirm and clarify blasting management plan and blast plan 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 legislative and site requirements
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures and confirm steps required to respond to emergencies
   • Coordinate vehicle, equipment and personnel support within scope of own role
   • Arrange survey of blast area according to job requirements and confirm survey and required records are completed and reported to appropriate personnel according to site requirements
   • Access, interpret and apply environmental, geological and survey data according to site requirements
   • Carry out calculations for pattern design, loading and tying in of shots
   • Identify and confirm the explosives and accessories according to site requirements
2. Supervise storage and transport of explosives and accessories
   • 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 site requirements
   • Confirm that explosives are not left unattended
   • Identify and dispose of any deteriorated or out of date explosives and accessories according to site requirements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 vehicle according to site requirements
   • Identify hole locations and non-conforming conditions according to site requirements
   • Set up charging equipment according to site requirements
   • Prepare holes for charging according to blast plan
   • Supervise blast personnel during loading operations
   • Prime and charge holes according to blast plan
   • Confirm blast holes are charged according to loading plan and identify non-conforming conditions
   • 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
   • Complete records according to site requirements
   • Conduct blast monitoring according to site requirements
   • Carry out preblasting procedures and establish exclusion zone
   • Carry out tying in according to blast plan
   • Supervise personnel within the blast area during tie-in and initiation
   • Initiate the blast according to manufacturer specifications and site requirements
   • Carry out and record activities according to blast plan
3. Complete post blast activities
   • Carry out post blast inspection according site requirements
   • Secure firing circuits and initiation device according to manufacturer specifications and site requirements
   • Report blasting completion to relevant personnel according to site requirements
   • 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 and explosives and detonators according to manufacturer specifications and site requirements
   • Confirm emergency services are advised of the disposal activities according to site requirements
   • Complete reports according to site requirements
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 underground production shotfiring on at least two occasions, including:

planning and preparing for shotfiring

supervising the storage and transport of explosives and accessories

preparing for charging and charge holes

conducting the blast

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 conduct underground production shotfiring operations in a way that meets all of the required outcomes, including;

complying with reporting requirements and procedures

communicating clearly and concisely with others to:

receive and clarify work instructions

resolve coordination requirements.

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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 underground production shotfiring, including those relating to:

dangerous goods requirements

storage and segregation of explosives

misfires

records and reporting requirements

key procedures and documentation required to conduct underground production shotfiring, including:

blasting management and blast plan

site security plan

Australian standards and code of practice relating to underground shotfiring

techniques for applying site environmental, geological and survey information

site environmental requirements and constraints, including those relating to:

chemicals

airborne contaminates, including dust and fumes

noise, vibration and airblast overpressure

hot, reactive and fibrous ground

types, physical and technical characteristics, uses and limitations of explosives, accessories, equipment and associated protection and management measures, including:

initiation systems

delayed blasts

cause and management of misfires

explosives disposal methods

principles and techniques for underground production shotfiring risk management, including those for applying appropriate controls to identified risks

principles and techniques for inspecting addressing nonconforming conditions andnonconformities, including:

misfires

blockages

break through

deviation

undercut

ground conditions

ventilation

water/wet holes

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

techniques for coordinating job activities with others.

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