Application
This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct hand held mining in Metalliferous mining.
This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and Industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for hand held mining | 1.1. Access, interpret and apply hand held mining documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant 1.2. Obtain, interpret, clarify and confirm work instructions 1.3. Identify, address and report environmental issues, potential risks and hazards 1.4. Select and wear appropriate personal protective equipment 1.5. Wash down and visually inspect work area to ensure safe access 1.6. Ensure work area is properly ventilated and free of dust and blasting fumes before entry 1.7. Inspect and assess site conditions and determine if scaling is required and take action 1.8. Identify, inspect and clearly mark all exposed butts and misfires 1.9. Ensure that butts or remnants are made safe or report the occurrence 1.10. Select, and check for faults, equipment/tools for the activity 1.11. Identify if breakthrough with drill-steel may occur and take appropriate action 1.12. Use approved dust suppression and extraction methods 1.13. Obtain and interpret emergency procedures, and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency |
2. Set up hand held machine | 2.1. Assemble hand held machine and connect services to machine 2.2. Conduct equipment pre-start checks and start up procedures 2.3. Select, locate and position machine for drilling operations according to the drilling plan |
3. Carry out hand held mining operations | 3.1. Continually monitor hazards and risks, and ensure safety of self, equipment and others 3.2. Select appropriate drill steel and determine hole collar location 3.3. Drill holes in accordance with drilling plan 3.4. Continue to monitor condition of back, walls and floor 3.5. Monitor hand held machine and air-leg for efficient operation |
4. Carry out post operational procedures | 4.1. Shutdown machine and disconnect services 4.2. Inspect machine for defects and damage 4.3. Remove equipment, hoses or debris from the work area 4.4. Store machine and associated equipment and plant in a designated or safe location 4.5. Complete housekeeping requirements 4.6. Process and maintain written and verbal recording and reporting requirements |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:
locates and applies relevant documentation, policies and procedures
implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of hand held mining including:
using appropriate dust suppression and extraction methods
works effectively with others to undertake and complete the conduct of hand held mining that meets all of the required outcomes including:
communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions, and convey work progress
demonstrates completion of hand held mining that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
inspecting site conditions and determining if scaling is required
identifying, inspecting and marking all exposed butts and misfires
inspecting and identifying usable/unusable drill steels
conducting equipment pre-start checks and start up procedures
assembling and connecting hand held machine to services
locating and positioning machine and drilling holes according to drill plan
shutting down and disconnecting services
monitoring hazards and risks
conducting housekeeping activities
maintaining written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in conducting hand held mining through:
rock drilling equipment
checking equipment and reporting defects
work area inspection
handling explosives their associated hazards
site conditions including:
environmental issues
ground control characteristics and applications
dust suppression and extraction methods
being prepared for fire/accident/emergency
Assessment Conditions
An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,
this unit must be assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment; and,
this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,
assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,
assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,
assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,
where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,
assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:
Industry sector | AQF** Level | Required assessor or Industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction | 1 | 1 Year |
2 | 2 Years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying) | 3-6 | 3 Years |
Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction | 3-6 | 5 Years |
Other sectors | Where this Unit is being assessed outside of the Resources and Infrastructure Sectors assessor and/or Industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no Industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation. | |
*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 frequent site assessments across various locations.
**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.
Sectors
Metalliferous mining (Underground)