Safe Work Method Statement Drilling Soil Bores

Person responsible for ensuring

compliance with this SWMS:

Field Manager

Revision Date:

23 October 2012

Job Description:

Drilling soil bores and collection of soil samples

Location:

Field

Tasks Involved

Potential Hazards

Hazard Control Measures

Mobilisation / Demobilisation

Heavy lifting

Avoid heavy lifting by loading / unloading individual items at one time.

Seek assistance to lift heavy or awkward loads.
Use trolleys etc. to transport heavy items, where deemed necessary.
Lift with legs rather than back.

Trip hazard

All equipment, soil cuttings and waste to be removed from drilling location prior to moving on to next
location.
No holes to be left unattended unless covered, fenced or backfilled.
No running on-site and avoid walking on uneven surfaces, where possible.
Compact and reinstate core holes in a manner to minimise future subsidence.

Unstable ground

Position drill rig on relatively flat, stable ground.

Use hydraulic stabilising legs to create level drilling platform.

Public entry, movement of site

vehicles / plant

Where public entry or movement of site vehicles / plant is possible; utilise bollards, tape, signage and /
or fencing to create safe work area or visual demarcation barrier.
Do not leave open holes unattended.
At all times wear high visibility vests and or clothing.

Electrocution from overhead

services.

Complete Senversa Underground and Overhead Services Clearance Protocol prior to and drilling

Energy release from underground

services

Complete Senversa Underground and Overhead Services Clearance Protocol prior to and drilling

Drilling

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Safe Work Method Statement Drilling Soil Bores

Tasks Involved

Potential Hazards

Hazard Control Measures

Crush points, heat, rotating parts

on drilling rig
Overhead plant

Discuss and observe drilling subcontractors JSA/SWMS control measures.

Ensure rotating rods on drilling rig is guarded.
All personnel except drilling rig operators to remain approximately 3m or greater from drill rig when its
operating.
Prior to drilling works, arrange communication protocol with driller and off-sider.
Hearing protection to be worn when rig noisy (eg down hole hammer, push tube drilling, concrete
coring).
Wear hard hat, safety shoes and safety glasses.

Toxic or explosive gases,

hazardous materials

Cease work if the following conditions are encountered and review the need for additional control
measures:

Soil sampling

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Underground service or utility is encountered during drilling.

Strong or persistent odours are noticed.
Suspected asbestos containing materials (ACMs) or fibrous material potentially containing
asbestos is observed.
Suspected ground gas is emitted from borehole.
Non-aqueous phase liquid is identified.

Electrical atmosphere

Temporarily cease work if frequent lightning observed until passed

Noise and dust

Ear muffs or plugs to be worn while rig is in operation (ie hammering or push tube).
P1 dust mask to be worn if persistent dust is generated.

Exposure to soil contamination

Gloves, safety glasses, long sleeves and long pants to be work when handling and sampling soil.
Sampling equipment to be decontaminated before placing into vehicle
Contaminated consumable / disposable equipment preferably disposed on-site; not to be carried in
passenger cabin of vehicle.
Where volatile contaminants are suspected, utilise a photo-ionisation detector (PID) to monitor for
potential vapour exposure. Modify work procedures and / or wear half-face respirator with organic
filter; where deemed necessary or when site derived action levels are exceeded.

Exposure to cleaning chemicals

Wear safety glasses when using undiluted Decon 90.

Wear rubber gloves when decontaminating field equipment.

Safe Work Method Statement Drilling Soil Bores

Tasks Involved

Potential Hazards

Hazard Control Measures

Sharp materials

Do not run fingers down push-tube cores.

Use trowel to collect soil samples, where sharp materials are suspected.

Steps for filling out

1. Discuss with relevant employees, contractors and HSRs what work will be high-risk, the tasks, and associated hazards, risks and controls.
2. In the What are the tasks involved? column, list the work tasks in sequence to how they will be carried out.
3. In the What are the hazards and risks? column, list the hazards and risks for each work task.
4. In the How will the hazards and risks be controlled? column, select the hazard or risk and then work through the control levels 1 4 from top to bottom. Choose a control
measure (and how it is to be used) that is as close to level 1 as is reasonably practicable.
Control levels
1. Eliminate any risk to health or safety associated with construction work.
2. Reduce the risk to health or safety by any one or any combination of the following:

Substituting a new activity, procedure, plant, process or substance

Isolating persons from the hazard, such as barricading, fencing or guardrailing, or

Using engineering controls, such as mechanical or electrical devices.

3. Use administrative controls, such as changing the way the work is done.
4. Provide appropriate personal protective equipment.
5. Brief each team member on this SWMS before commencing work. Ensure team knows that work is to immediately stop if the SWMS is not being followed.
6. Observe work being carried out. If controls are not adequate, stop the work, review the SWMS, adjust as required and re-brief the team.
7. Retain this SWMS for the duration of the work.

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