Role Purpose
To safely and efficiently apply underground shotcrete/fibrecrete to excavations in accordance with the Ground Support Plan and site standards, ensuring quality, thickness compliance, safe interactions, and high equipment availability.
Key Responsibilities
Safety & Compliance
Comply with site HSE systems, underground traffic rules, and communication protocols.
Complete Take 5/JHA/SWMS and follow permit requirements (as applicable).
Maintain awareness of hazards: poor ground, scaling requirements, overhead work, line pressure, silica dust, hot work areas, poor visibility and interactions.
Establish and maintain exclusion zones and safe work areas during spraying.
Participate in toolbox talks, hazard reporting, and incident investigations as required.
Shotcrete Operations
Operate shotcrete equipment (common units include Normet Spraymec/Meyco or equivalent) to apply shotcrete/fibrecrete safely and to specification.
Prepare work areas and coordinate with supervisors and crews to ensure headings are ready (scaling complete where required, services managed, access controlled).
Apply shotcrete to backs and walls to required:
Thickness and coverage
Encapsulation of mesh/straps where applicable
Finish quality consistent with site standards
Manage accelerator/admixture systems as per manufacturer/site procedures (where applicable), and monitor for blockages, pressure issues, and poor mix performance.
Control rebound and overspray and manage clean-up to maintain safe travelways.
Quality Control
Work to Ground Support Plans, drawings, and supervisor direction.
Confirm thickness requirements and assist with QA checks as required (depth pins, thickness checks, set times, test panels where used on site).
Identify and report poor adhesion, sloughing, cracking, or unsuitable ground conditions to supervision immediately.
Equipment Care & Maintenance
Conduct thorough pre-start inspections and functional checks (pump, boom/arm, nozzle, lines/hoses, clamps, water/air systems, accelerator, greasing).
Maintain hoses and fittings, ensure guards and safety devices are in place, and keep the unit clean and serviceable.
Report defects immediately and isolate/tag out equipment where required.
Perform basic operator maintenance within authorisation (cleaning, greasing, minor adjustments, line flushing, housekeeping).
Communication & Teamwork
Maintain clear radio comms and coordinate movements with other mobile equipment and crews.
Provide shift handovers: headings sprayed, thickness/quality notes, remaining work, hazards, equipment issues.
Complete required documentation: pre-starts, JHAs, maintenance requests, timesheets, QA records (where applicable).
Skills, Experience & Competencies
Essential
Demonstrated experience as an underground shotcrete sprayer/nozzleman.
Strong understanding of underground hazards, ground support requirements, and safe work practices.
Ability to work in active headings with high discipline around exclusion zones and communications.
Good mechanical awareness and ability to identify issues early (blockages, pressure fluctuations, accelerator faults, hose wear).
Desirable
Experience with specific machines (Normet Spraymec, Meyco, Putzmeister or similar).
Experience spraying fibrecrete in development headings and rehabilitation work.
Multi-skilled underground support experience (service crew, vent, dewatering) is an advantage.
Licences / Tickets / Verifications (site dependent)
Current driver's licence.
VOC/competency verification on shotcrete equipment (mandatory).
Ability to pass pre-employment medical and drug & alcohol testing.
National Police Clearance (if required).
Desirable tickets depending on site: Working at Heights
Working Conditions
Underground environment with heat, dust (including silica risk), noise, water, low visibility and confined areas.
High-pressure systems and overhead spraying tasks.
Shift work including nights and fatigue management requirements
Performance Indicators
Zero harm performance and strong compliance with site HSE and traffic systems.
Shotcrete applied to plan and spec with minimal rework and strong quality outcomes.
High equipment care standards and proactive defect reporting.
Effective communication and reliable attendance.