This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply blow out prevention (BOP) operational procedures in coal mining and drilling. It prepares individuals to apply well control strategies, coordinate crew activities, operate and monitor equipment and processes and apply well kill procedures.

This unit applies to those working in supervisory roles. They generally perform tasks involving a broad range of skilled applications in a wide variety of contexts, which may involve some discretion and judgement in selecting equipment, services and contingency measures.

No licensing, legislation or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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:

apply blow out prevention (BOP) operational procedures on at least two occasions, including:

applying kick detection methods and responses

confirming well control procedures and activities with crew members

conducting drills and exercises with crew in readiness for emergencies

inspecting well control equipment for safety and fitness-for-purpose

installing, testing, operating and monitoring well control equipment

applying well kill methods

identifying and recognising kick indicators

identifying the effects of swabbing and surging

carry out supervision of BOP operational procedures.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply documentation, policies and procedures required to apply BOP operational procedures

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for applying BOP operational procedures, including:

identifying, addressing and reporting potential hazards and risks

identifying, addressing and reporting environmental issues

preparing written records and reports

rectifying any identified faults and malfunctions within scope of own role and escalating where required

work with others to apply BOP operational procedures that meets required outcomes, including:

resolving coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities

preparing for and organising work activities to meet all task requirements

communicating with others to receive and clarify work instructions.

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 applying BOP operational procedures, including those for:

identifying and managing risks

identifying, addressing and reporting environmental issues

setting up work activity

site isolation, signage and erecting barriers

work health and safety

selecting and checking plant, tools and equipment required to carry out tasks for faults

carrying out work to specifications

applying required methods to control identified hazards

applying technical solutions for well control

delegating roles and responsibilities of assistants

maintaining well control equipment

responding to emergency situations.

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

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment required to apply BOP operational procedures

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:

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 Companion Volume 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

Drilling