Product Overview

Summary: This SOP provides a clear, step-by-step process for planning and conducting confined space entry in drilling operations safely and in line with Australian WHS requirements. It focuses on practical controls, permit systems, and emergency readiness to protect workers from the extreme risks of atmospheric hazards, engulfment, and entrapment in drilling environments.

Confined spaces in drilling operations—such as sumps, mud tanks, below-ground chambers, pits, and enclosed sections of drilling plant—present some of the highest-risk environments on site. This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a robust, repeatable process for identifying confined spaces, assessing risks, issuing permits, and safely managing entry, work, and exit. It is written specifically for Australian drilling and exploration contexts, where remote locations, changing ground conditions, and interaction with drilling fluids and gases significantly increase the risk profile.

The SOP helps businesses translate complex WHS legislation and confined space requirements into practical field procedures that crews can actually follow. It addresses common issues such as inconsistent permit use, poor communication between drilling and emergency teams, inadequate atmospheric testing, and unclear roles when contractors are involved. By implementing this procedure, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, reduce the likelihood of fatal incidents, and ensure that supervisors and workers have a clear, defensible method for planning and undertaking confined space work on and around drilling rigs.

Designed for both large mining operations and smaller drilling contractors, the document supports integration into existing WHS management systems, site-specific risk assessments, and training programs. It provides structured guidance that can be adapted to surface and underground drilling, exploration rigs, geotechnical drilling, and water well drilling, ensuring that confined space hazards are consistently identified and controlled across all projects.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliant confined space entry processes that align with Australian WHS legislation and industry best practice.
• Reduce the risk of fatalities and serious injuries from atmospheric hazards, engulfment, and entrapment in drilling-related confined spaces.
• Standardise permit-to-work, communication, and supervision requirements across all drilling crews and contractors.
• Improve readiness for emergencies through clearly defined rescue planning, equipment requirements, and response roles.
• Demonstrate due diligence to clients, regulators, and auditors with a documented, repeatable procedure for confined space work in drilling operations.

Who is this for?

• Drilling Supervisors
• Rig Managers
• WHS Managers
• Safety Advisors
• Driller and Offsider Crews
• Confined Space Entry Workers
• Permit Issuers and Permit Receivers
• Emergency Response Team Leaders
• Operations Managers (Mining and Exploration)
• Maintenance Supervisors (Drilling Equipment)

Hazards Addressed

• Oxygen-deficient or oxygen-enriched atmospheres in pits, tanks, and enclosed drilling plant
• Toxic or flammable gases and vapours from drilling fluids, hydrocarbons, or geological formations
• Engulfment in drilling muds, slurries, water, or loose materials
• Entrapment or crushing from moving parts, shifting ground, or structural collapse within confined spaces
• Limited access and egress, hindering self-rescue and emergency response
• Heat stress, fatigue, and dehydration in hot, enclosed, or remote environments
• Noise, poor visibility, and communication failures between entrants, standby personnel, and supervisors
• Electrical and mechanical hazards associated with isolated but incorrectly locked-out equipment
• Psychological stress and disorientation associated with working in cramped or dark spaces
• Manual handling and ergonomic strain in restricted postures

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope – Confined Space Entry in Drilling Operations
• 2.0 Definitions – Confined Space, Permit Space, Entrant, Standby Person, Permit Issuer
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities – PCBU, Managers, Supervisors, Entrants, Standby, Gas Testers, Emergency Responders
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Identification and Classification of Confined Spaces in Drilling Operations
• 6.0 Risk Assessment and Job Planning for Confined Space Work
• 7.0 Permit-to-Work System for Confined Space Entry
• 8.0 Isolation, Lockout/Tagout and Energy Control Requirements
• 9.0 Atmospheric Testing and Continuous Monitoring Procedures
• 10.0 Ventilation, Purging and Control of Hazardous Atmospheres
• 11.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Respiratory Protection Requirements
• 12.0 Entry, Work and Exit Procedures for Confined Spaces
• 13.0 Communication Protocols Between Entrants, Standby and Supervisors
• 14.0 Emergency Response and Rescue Planning for Confined Spaces on Drilling Sites
• 15.0 Contractor Management and Interface with Client Procedures
• 16.0 Training, Competency and Authorisation Requirements
• 17.0 Equipment Inspection, Maintenance and Calibration (Gas Detectors, Rescue Gear, PPE)
• 18.0 Documentation, Recordkeeping and Audit Requirements
• 19.0 Review, Consultation and Continuous Improvement of the SOP
• 20.0 Appendices – Sample Confined Space Entry Permit, Pre-Entry Checklist, Rescue Plan Template, Risk Assessment Form

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and corresponding state and territory Acts)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 – Part 4.3 Confined Spaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Confined Spaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• AS 2865:2009 Confined spaces
• AS/NZS 2299.1:2015 Occupational diving operations (where applicable to flooded pits or sumps)
• AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716:2012 Respiratory protective devices
• AS/NZS 60079.10.1:2009 Explosive atmospheres – Classification of areas – Explosive gas atmospheres (for flammable atmospheres near drilling operations)
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced) or ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems