Product Overview

This Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and Boring Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks and implement effective controls for trenchless drilling operations on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of HDD setup, drilling, tracking and reinstatement to support WHS compliance and safe management of High Risk Construction Work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and set-up of horizontal directional drilling and boring works, including site assessment and service location
• Directional drilling operations, including pilot hole drilling, steering and tracking of the drill head
• Drilling within and adjacent to non-disturbance zones, including environmentally sensitive and heritage areas
• Selection, inspection and safe use of HDD rigs, drill rods, tooling and associated plant
• Management of underground essential services and no-go zones, including use of Dial Before You Dig information and service proving
• Use of drilling fluids, mixing systems and recycling units, including containment, spill control and disposal
• Managing risks from ground instability, bore collapse and inadvertent fluid returns (frac-outs)
• Traffic management around drilling and support vehicles, including exclusion zones for mobile plant
• Manual handling of rods, hoses, mud bags and ancillary equipment to minimise musculoskeletal injuries
• Noise, vibration and dust control measures during drilling, reaming and pullback activities
• Electrical safety controls when operating near underground and overhead electrical assets
• Environmental protection measures for waterways, stormwater systems and sensitive vegetation during HDD works
• Emergency response procedures for utility strikes, fluid spills, ground collapse and plant failure

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for HDD contractors, civil construction companies, utility installers, telecommunications and pipeline crews, and site supervisors responsible for managing horizontal directional drilling and boring activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Code of Practice: Construction Work – guidance on managing risks associated with construction activities, including trenchless installation
• Code of Practice: Excavation Work – requirements for planning, service location, ground stability and underground asset protection relevant to HDD and boring
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – controls for noise exposure from drilling rigs and ancillary plant
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – guidance on reducing musculoskeletal risks from handling rods, hoses and equipment
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace – safe use, inspection and maintenance of HDD rigs, mud systems and support plant
• Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – requirements for safe site layout, amenities and environmental conditions
• AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules) – referenced for safe work near electrical installations and underground electrical services
• AS 4799:2000 Installation of underground utility services and pipelines within road reserves – guidance relevant to HDD installation of services