Geotechnical and Water Well Drilling Operations Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers geotechnical and water well drilling activities, including site preparation, rig operation, ground disturbance and maintenance. It supports planning and risk management by identifying hazards from plant movement, drilling equipment, services, ground conditions, contaminants and emergency events.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Planning drilling work and assessing the site
• Mobilising, positioning and managing drilling plant
• Setting up, stabilising and inspecting drilling rigs
• Operating drilling and rotating equipment
• Managing ground disturbance, bores and nearby excavations
• Working around underground and overhead services
• Managing airborne contaminants, fumes and hazardous atmospheres
• Handling drilling materials and managing noise and vibration
• Managing fluids, pressure systems, waste and spills
• Maintaining drilling equipment and responding to emergencies

Who is this for?

Suitable for businesses, supervisors, workers and contractors carrying out geotechnical or water well drilling operations.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — 4.1 Guarding plant; p. 39.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Excavation work — 2.3. Controlling the risks; p. 17.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks — 4.1 The hierarchy of control measures; p. 31.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace — 2.1 Identifying the hazards; p. 14.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 2. The work environment; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — 3.2 Identifying the hazards; p. 16.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Construction work — 6.2 Workplace specific induction training; p. 41.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work — 5. Controlling the risks; p. 29.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 3. Step 2 — How to assess risks; p. 15.

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Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)

• Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each activity
• Risk matrix and assessment classification
• Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
• Site-specific customisation before use