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Title / Describe and operate pipejacking and microtunnelling equipment in an underground operation
Level / 4 / Credits / 20
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the ground conditions, geology, soil, and rock associated with pipejacking and microtunnelling operations; describe the operational characteristics and performance of pipejacking and microtunnelling equipment; describe the safety requirements for working with pipejacking and microtunnelling operations and equipment; describe the processes for maintaining and monitoring ground stability in pipejacking and microtunnelling operations; manage electrical, hydraulic, and compressed air energy reticulation systems and equipment used in pipejacking and microtunnelling operations; and carry out end-of-shift shutdown procedures and documentation requirements for pipejacking and microtunnelling operations, in an underground operation.
Classification / Extractive Industries > Underground Extraction
Available grade / Achieved
Guidance Information
1Performance of the outcomes of this unit standard must comply with the following:
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSW);
Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016;
Health and Safety at Work (Worker Engagement, Participation, and Representation) Regulations 2016;
Health and Safety at Work (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Regulations 2016;
Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 and related Safe Work Instruments (SWIs) published by WorkSafe NZ;
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.
2Any new, amended or replacement Acts, regulations, standards, codes of practice, guidelines, or authority requirements or conditions affecting this unit standard will take precedence for assessment purposes, pending review of this unit standard.
3Definitions
Company procedures mean the documented methods for performing work activities and include health and safety, operational, environmental, and quality management requirements. They may refer to legislation, regulations, guidelines, standard operating procedures, manuals, codes of practice, or policy statements.
Industry best practicemay be documented in management plans, control plans, company procedures, managers’ rules, occupational health and safety policy, industry guidelines, codes of practice, manufacturers’ instructions, and safe working and/or job procedures (or equivalent).
PPE refers to personal protective equipment.
4An underground operation includes extractive or tunnelling operations.
5The Pipe Jacking Association (UK) guideline relevant to this unit standard is Tunnelling and Pipejacking: Guidance for Designers - Internal dimensions for pipejacks and tunnels below 3m diameter and indicative drive lengths,Health & SafetyExecutive, British Tunnelling Society, Pipe Jacking Association, available at
Outcomes and performance criteria
Outcome 1
Describe the ground conditions, geology, soil, and rock associated with pipejacking and microtunnelling operations.
Performance criteria
1.1The ground conditions and geology for underground operations are described in terms of the use of the pipejacking and microtunnelling equipment and methods.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – unconsolidated ground, old tip areas, geological structures and features, weak zones, access shaft sinking.
1.2Soil and rock types at underground operations are described in terms of their general strength and behaviour.
Outcome 2
Describe the operational characteristics and performance of pipejacking and microtunnelling equipment.
Performance criteria
2.1The performance and specifications of pipejacking and microtunnelling equipment are described in terms of its operation at an underground site.
2.2Equipment is identified and matched in accordance with planning requirements and job conditions.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – pipejacking and microtunnelling equipment, tunnel boring machines (TBM), guidance systems, laser sights, pipes, hoses, connections, anchors, lubrication, interjacks, shafts, separation plants.
2.3The set-up and equipment operational procedures are described in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and company procedures.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – surface plant, set-up, pre-start checks, ventilation, survey sights, energy supply, access, equipment availability, operation.
2.4Excavation and spoil removal and processing are described in accordance with industry best practice and company procedures.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – surface located equipment, pipejacking, microtunnelling, surface processing and waste disposal, slurry systems, pumps, sludge ponds, waste dumps.
Outcome 3
Describe the safety requirements for working with pipejacking and microtunnelling operations and equipment.
Performance criteria
3.1Safety requirements are described in accordance with legislation, industry best, practice and company procedures.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – hazard identification and control, safety features of the equipment, signs, barriers, alarms, communication, gas monitoring, ventilation, fire protection,hazardous substances, PPE, emergency provisions, emergency procedures.
3.2Isolation procedures are described in terms of the requirements for pipejacking and microtunnelling operations.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – lockouts and tag systems, placing and lifting isolations, reporting.
3.3Access procedures to manage confined space working areas and inundation are described in terms of the requirements for pipejacking and microtunnelling operations.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – Pipe Jacking Association (UK) guideline, working around and over energised equipment, face isolation, head interventions, compressed air work.
3.4Crane safety in shaft operations is described in terms of the requirements for pipejacking and microtunnelling operations.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – lift plans, crane and rigging safety inspections, rigging and dogman understanding, working around suspended loads.
Outcome 4
Describe the processes for maintaining and monitoring ground stability in pipejacking and microtunnelling operations.
Performance criteria
4.1The processes for monitoring and maintaining ground stability are described inaccordance with industry best practice and company procedures.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – shaft sinking and maintenance, water content and inflow, slumping, side and roof failure, fissures and weak zones, surface deformation.
Outcome 5
Manage electrical, hydraulic, and compressed air energy reticulation systems and equipment used in pipejacking and microtunnelling operations.
Performance criteria
5.1The components, equipment, and operation of electrical reticulation are managed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, plant operation plan, industry best practice, and company procedures.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – cables, joint boxes, connectors, lighting, signalling systems, switchgear, circuit breakers, transformers, circuits, fault display, instruments.
5.2The components, equipment, and operation of compressed air systems are managed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, plant operation plan, industry best practice, and company procedures.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – air power, compressors, motors, valves, sensors, water traps, receivers, pipes, connectors, filtration, leakage, seals.
5.3The components, equipment, and operation of hydraulic systems are managed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, plant operation plan, industry best practice, and company procedures.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – oil power, pumps, motors, valves, sensors, pipes, connectors, filtration, leakage, seals, flammability, environmental considerations.
5.4The guidance of TBMs using lasers, GPS and other systems are managed in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications, plant operation plan, industry best practice and company procedures.
Outcome 6
Carry out end-of-shift shutdown procedures and documentation requirements for pipejacking and microtunnelling operations.
Performance criteria
6.1The plant and equipment is shut down in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, plant operation plan, industry best practice, and company procedures.
6.2Face stability management and monitoring procedures are carried out in accordance with plant operation plan, industry best practice, and company procedures.
6.3Defects are reported in accordance with industry best practice and company procedures.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – plant and associated equipment inspections, hazard inspections, reports, maintenance.
6.4Documentation is completed in accordance with company procedures.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – plant operator log sheets, hazard reports, defect reports.
Planned review date / 31 December 2022Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 27 June 2005 / 31 December 2017
Review / 2 / 21 August 2009 / 31 December 2017
Review / 3 / 18 June 2015 / N/A
Rollover and Revision / 4 / 25 January 2018 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0114
This CMR can be accessed at
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact MITO New Zealand you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
MITO New Zealand IncorporatedSSB Code 101542 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018