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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare for rotary air drilling
   • Obtain, clarify and apply work instructions
   • Access, interpret and apply drilling documentation and confirm work activity is compliant
   • Identify and minimise environmental issues and potential hazards, and assess and address risks within scope of own role and according to workplace procedures
   • Communicate with other personnel at site according to work requirements and confirm briefings and handover details are communicated and received
   • Select and wear required personal protective equipment, tools and equipment to carry out tasks, check for serviceability and rectify or report any faults
   • Check restraining devices on all pressure hoses
   • Fit and replace restraining devices on pressure hoses as required
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures identify steps required in case of fires, accidents and other emergencies
2. Operate rotary air drill
   • Select required rod type, thread form and drill string components for job
   • Measure and select appropriate bit for the job
   • Conduct pre-start equipment checks and rectify or report identified faults as required
   • Use rod handling equipment safely and correctly
   • Add/break out and remove drill rod and down hole tooling/bottom hole assemblies
   • Weight/feed/rotate drill at right rate for optimum penetration
   • Adjust air pressure to achieve required hole clearance
   • Measure line string and calculate depth of hole
   • Identify hole conditions, assess requirements of dust control fluids
   • Select suitable ingredients/fluids
   • Prepare/monitor the preparation of required fluids
   • Use dust control fluids to achieve required result
   • Monitor equipment wear
   • Check all equipment and hoses
   • Disassemble, inspect components, replace unserviceable parts and reassemble bottom hole assembly
   • Replace and adjust and report damaged and worn parts as required
   • Monitor operation and chips/sample/air return
   • Identify possible problems in equipment or process
   • Clear blockages safely
   • Determine other problems and maintenance tasks needing action
   • Determine possible fault causes
   • Rectify problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility
   • Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
   • Verbally or in writing report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person

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 rotary air drilling on at least two occasions, including:

using the various rod handling equipment

adding and removing rod from the string

applying rotation speed and weight on the bit to maintain optimum performance

measuring line string components and calculate hole depth

collaring holes

monitoring hole for returns/cuttings/samples and quality

ensuring that all string components are correctly maintained

disassembling, describing the function of components, inspecting components, replacing unserviceable parts and reassembling a bottom hole assembly

ensuring that drill rod is inspected regularly, and wear rates monitored

ensuring that threads are inspected and maintained.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply required legislation, documentation, policies and procedures

work with others to conduct rotary air drilling that meets required outcomes, including:

using a range of communication techniques and strategies to communicate and coordinate information and activity to others

communicating the hazards of cuttings in the return air stream to all crew members.

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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 policies, procedures and established requirements for conducting rotary air drilling, including those for:

limiting the contamination of samples/cuttings/returns

bit selection for different types of drilling and different ground conditions

identifying problems related to inaccurate measurement of bits and other related components

clearing down hole blockages in air drilled holes

the hazards associated with clearing blockages

drill site layout

the critical need to match like threads with like threads on all tubular components and make up torque requirements

the parameters relating to wear of drill rod and integrity of threads

the function of hole collaring

the importance of monitoring the hole for returns/cutting/sample quantity

the role that blockages play in affecting sample quality

the critical need for restraining devices to be fitted to all pressure delivery hoses and sample delivery hoses (if used), the devices available and their methods of attachment

dangers of chips/sample/air return being returned to the surface at high velocity in air drilling operations and the parameters involved

the importance of checking gauges and monitoring pressures, flow rates and temperatures.

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