This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct shotfiring operations in underground coal mines in coal mining. It includes supervising storage and transport of explosives and accessories, conducting blasts and carrying out postblast activities.

It applies to those working in operational roles. They generally work under minimal supervision to undertake a broad range of skilled applications in varied work contexts, using some discretion and judgement in selecting equipment, services or contingency measures.

Licensing, legislative and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the unit.

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.

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.

Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment required to conduct shotfiring operations in underground coal mines

be conducted in a safe environment; and,

be assessed in the context of this sector's work environment; and,

be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures and processes directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances.

Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated work environment* provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must be able to clearly demonstrate current and relevant industry knowledge and experience to satisfy the mandatory regulatory standards as set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/Australian Quality Training Framework mandatory requirements for assessors current at the time of assessment and any relevant licensing and certification requirements. This includes:

possessing and maintaining a current shotfirer’s licence issued by a state/territory regulatory body endorsed for the applicable type of blasting

vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed

current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided

current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment

formal relevant qualifications in training and assessment

having knowledge of and/or experience using the latest techniques and processes

possessing the required level of RII training product knowledge

having an understanding and knowledge of legislation and regulations relevant to the industry and to employment and workplaces

demonstrating the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence outlined in this unit of competency, and

the minimum years of current** work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below in an industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit.

It is also acceptable for the appropriately qualified assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together and for the industry expert to be involved in the assessment judgement. The industry expert must have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided. This means the industry subject matter expert must demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed:

*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the RII implementation guide located on VETNet.

**Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to industry by conducting a minimum number of site assessments as determined by the relevant industry sector, across various locations.

*** While a unit of competency does not have an AQF level, where a unit is being delivered outside of a qualification the first numeric character in the unit code should be considered as the AQF indicator level for assessment purposes.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Coal mining (underground)