NZQA unit standard / 21814 version 4
Page 1 of 3
Title / Describe and operate a powered mobile drill rig to drill a blast pattern in an underground operation
Level / 4 / Credits / 10
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the elements and characteristics of a powered mobile drill rig; describe safety systems and conditions for operatinga powered mobile drill rig; select blast design and mark out face to be drilled; select drilling equipment and carry out drilling operations; and park and shut down a powered mobile drill rig, report defects, and complete documentation, in an underground operation.
Classification / Extractive Industries > Underground Extraction
Available grade / Achieved
Prerequisites / Unit 7146, Demonstrate basic knowledge and ability required to work in an underground operation,or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.

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;

approved codes of practice issued pursuant to the HSWAct;

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).

4An underground operation includes extractive or tunnelling operations.

5This unit standard is intended for, but is not limited to, workplace assessment.

Outcomes and performance criteria

Outcome 1

Describe the elements and characteristics of a powered mobile drill rig in an underground operation.

Performance criteria

1.1The operational characteristics and performance of a powered mobile drill rig are described in terms of its use in an underground operation.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – safety features, instruments, controls, operating procedures, set-up, pre-start system, operational constraints, shut-down procedures.

Outcome 2

Describe safety systems and conditions for operating a powered mobile drill rig in an underground operation.

Performance criteria

2.1The safety systems and conditions for the operation of a powered mobile drill rig are described in accordance with industry best practice and company procedures.

Rangesystems may include but are not limited to – compressed air, electrical services, hydraulics, survey sights, interlocks, sensors;

conditionsmay include but are not limited to – water supply, roof and sides security, operating gradient, floor conditions, drill rig speed, lighting, accessibility, ventilation controls, roadway conditions, gas make and management, frictional ignition, dust controls, explosion risk zones (ERZs).

Outcome 3

Select blast design and mark out face to be drilled in an underground operation.

Performance criteria

3.1The blast design is selected to meet the requirements of the ground and atmospheric conditions.

3.2The face to be drilled is marked to meet the requirements of the blast design.

Outcome 4

Select drilling equipment and carry out drilling operations in an underground operation.

Performance criteria

4.1Drill bits and rods are selected to suit ground conditions and blast design.

4.2Machine pre-shift and pre-start checks are completed in accordance with industry best practice and company procedures.

4.3Machine is set-up and operated in accordance with industry best practice, manufacturer specifications, and company procedures.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – chocks, brakes, instruments, controls, boom alignment, drill mode.

4.4Blast design and firing sequence is re-assessed to suit the drilling conditions and additional holes drilled if required.

Outcome 5

Park and shut down the powered mobile drill rig, report defects, and complete documentation.

Performance criteria

5.1Mobile drill rig is parked and shut down in accordance with industry best practice and company procedures.

5.2Defects are reported in accordance with industry best practice and company procedures.

5.3Documentation is completed in accordance with industry best practice.

Replacement information / This unit standard replaced unit standard 7152.
Planned review date / 31 December 2022

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

Process / Version / Date / Last Date for Assessment
Registration / 1 / 25 October 2005 / 31 December 2017
Rollover and Revision / 2 / 16 July 2010 / 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 Incorporated you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

MITO New Zealand Incorporated
SSB Code 101542 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018