Geotechnical and Water Well Drilling Operations SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, setting up, drilling, sampling, casing, inspecting and closing out geotechnical and water well drilling operations. It supports work planning and risk management by addressing ground conditions, services, rig stability, drill movement, boreholes, fluids and equipment handling.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the drilling work
• Establish the work area
• Verify services and drilling locations
• Position and stabilise the rig
• Complete plant pre-start checks
• Raise the mast and handle drill rods
• Drill boreholes
• Perform angular and deep drilling
• Collect samples and cores
• Install casing and manage boreholes
• Inspect and camera boreholes
• Manage fluids and coatings, then demobilise

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out geotechnical and water well drilling activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of plant in the workplace — use plant within design limits, inspect it and control lifting, crushing, entanglement, pressure, noise and dust hazards.
• Model Code of Practice: Moving plant on construction sites — guidance for traffic management, blind spots, difficult terrain, plant edges, refuelling, plant maintenance and worker competency.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — guidance for access systems, ladders, edge protection and barriers around openings/excavations.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace — guidance for isolation, exclusion zones, barriers, RCDs and work near energised services.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work — assess and control hazardous drilling and rock-drill noise.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of respirable crystalline silica in the workplace — drilling rock, sand, clay and other silica-containing ground can generate respirable crystalline silica.
• Mineral exploration drilling Code of Practice — practical guidance for drilling dust, cyclone/splitter controls, wet drilling, fibrous minerals and respirator fit testing.
• AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices.
• AS/NZS 1269.3 Occupational noise management — Hearing protector program.
• AS/NZS 2210.3 Personal protective equipment — Safety footwear; AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets; AS/NZS 4602.1 High visibility safety garments.
• AS/NZS 4994 Temporary edge protection; AS 4744.1 Steel shoring and trench lining — where excavation protection is required.
• Applicable manufacturer operating manuals, load charts, maintenance instructions and rated lifting-accessory requirements.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections