Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
This unit covers assisting with diamond core drilling in the drilling industry. It includes planning and preparing for assisting with diamond core drilling; supporting the core drilling process; handling core samples; mixing drilling fluids; and carrying out basic maintenance of tools and equipment.
Application of the Unit
Core drilling may also be called wireline core drilling, diamond drilling or coring. It is used for environmental, geotechnical and mineral exploration drilling. This unit is appropriate for those working in as drillers assistants, at worksites within:
- Drilling
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor.
Pre-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills Information
This unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan and prepare for assisting with diamond core drilling |
1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity 1.2. Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions for the allocated task 1.3. Identify, manage and report all potential hazards 1.4. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities 1.5. Load, unload, move, handle and store core drilling equipment and all associated tools, sampling devices and connecting equipment 1.6. Set up and stabilise racks 1.7. Wear all necessary personal protective equipment and protective clothing when assisting with core drilling |
2. Support the core drilling process |
2.1. Assemble core barrel components under the direction of the driller 2.2. Prepare drill string in readiness for tripping and drilling 2.3. Add and remove drill rods and core inner tubes 2.4. Inspect inner tube and core barrel regularly and replace worn or damaged components under the direction of the driller 2.5. Observe housekeeping and site safety measures while supporting core drilling operations 2.6. Use rod and casing handling equipment according to recommended procedures 2.7. Store and handle diamond tools according to policy |
3. Handle core samples |
3.1. Dismantle inner tube for recovery of core samples 3.2. Take necessary safety precautions when handling potentially contaminated samples 3.3. Remove core samples from inner tube and place in core trays in correct sequence 3.4. Record information on core marker blocks and core box accurately and legibly 3.5. Take precautions to ensure no surface contamination of cores and delicate cores are preserved 3.6. Follow safe stacking procedures for core boxes during storage and transportation 3.7. Apply appropriate lifting techniques when lifting full core boxes 3.8. Clean and lubricate inner tube components and re-assemble in preparation for the next run |
4. Mix drilling fluids |
4.1. Wear appropriate protective clothing when mixing drilling fluids 4.2. Check labels and read and interpret safety information and hazard codes 4.3. Apply correct mixing procedure for the drilling fluid 4.4. Carry out storage of drilling mud components and additives safely and according to recommendations 4.5. Perform basic tests on drilling fluids and record and report the results |
5. Carry out basic maintenance of tools and equipment |
5.1. Perform inspection and checks on serviceability of core barrel components 5.2. Perform inspections and routine checks on ancillary equipment 5.3. Perform inspections and basic maintenance on rod handling equipment 5.4. Observe occupational health and safety procedures in carrying out equipment maintenance and use correct personal protective equipment 5.5. Fit restraining devices to Kelly hoses |
Required Skills and Knowledge
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to assist with diamond core drilling:
|
Required knowledge |
Specific knowledge is required to achieve the performance criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following as required to assist with diamond core drilling:
|
Evidence Guide
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. |
|
Overview of assessment |
|
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
|
Context of and specific resources for assessment |
|
Method of assessment |
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
|
Guidance information for assessment |
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues. |
Range Statement
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. |
|
Relevant compliance documentation may include: |
|
Work instructions may come from: |
|
Hazards may include: |
|
Coordination requirements may include: |
|
Personal protective equipment may include: |
|
Core barrel may include: |
|
Components may include: |
Drill bits
|
Drill rods may include: |
|
Rod and casing handling equipment may include: |
|
Casing type may include: |
|
Samples may include: |
|
Records may include: |
|
Recorded information may include: |
|
Drilling fluids and additives may include: |
|
Basic tests on drilling fluid may include: |
|
Core barrel components may include: |
|
Unit Sector(s)
Drilling (General)
Competency field
Refer to Unit Sector(s).
Co-requisite units
Not applicable.