Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage blasting operations in the resources and infrastructure industries. It includes implementing blast plans, monitoring blasting and coordinating post-blast inspections.

It applies to those working in supervisory roles. They are generally responsible for the output of others, contribute to the development of technical solutions to non-routine problems and apply management plans to the workplace.

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.

Unit Sector

Civil construction

Coal mining

Extractive

Drilling

Metalliferous mining

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

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

Unit Mapping Information

Supersedes and is equivalent to RIIBLA401D Manage blasting operations.

Links

Companion Volume Implementation Guide is found on VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=88a61002-9a21-4386-aaf8-69c76e675272

Assessment requirements

Modification History

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:

• manage blasting operations on at least one occasion, including:

• validating blast design criteria
• obtaining required permits, licenses or authorities
• applying legislative and site requirements and procedures for:

• purchase of explosives
• set-up and security of explosives
• reporting
• site access
• handling, transport and storage of explosives
• site inspections
• type and quality of explosives used
• coordination of support vehicles, personnel and other equipment
• setting up and securing the blast area
• secondary blasting
• re-assessment of blast site
• misfires or potential misfires
• disposal of explosives

• identifying and analysing environmental risks
• implementing blast plans
• monitoring blasts
• coordinating post-blast inspection
• monitoring maintenance and routine inspection of blast and blast monitoring equipment.

During the above, the candidate must:

• locate and apply legislation, documentation and procedures
• work effectively with others to plan, prepare and conduct blasting operations, including:

• complying with reporting requirements and procedures
• communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions
• providing clear and timely instruction and supervision of those involved in blasting operations.

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 legislation required to manage blasting operations, including those relating to:

• dangerous goods requirements
• storage, segregation and transportation of explosives
• misfires
• records and reporting requirements

• key procedures and documentation required to manage blasting operations, including:

• blast plan
• safety and security management system
• Australian standards and codes of practice relating to blasting operations
• blast site procedures
• emergency procedures
• environmental procedures
• explosives disposal methods
• manufacturer specifications

• techniques for applying basic geological and technical information
• 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 precursors, security sensitive ammonium nitrate, explosives, initiation systems and associated equipment
• key principles and techniques relating to managing blasting operations, including:

• density, velocity and relationships between variables
• techniques for assimilating, interpreting and applying information and technical data
• key mathematical processes and applications

• principles and techniques for managing misfires and identifying its causes
• principles and techniques for identifying and responding to relevant safety and environmental hazards and emergencies, including those relating to climatic and electrostatic conditions
• site requirements for completing maintenance records and reporting requirements
• techniques for coordinating job activities with vehicles, personnel and relevant equipment.

Assessment Conditions

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

• include access to:

• personal protective equipment
• equipment required to manage blasting operations

• 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.

Links

Companion Volume Implementation Guide is found on VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=88a61002-9a21-4386-aaf8-69c76e675272