Product Overview

Summary: This Seismic Operations Safety Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for planning and conducting seismic surveys safely in Australian conditions. It helps organisations control the unique risks of explosive use, heavy vehicles, remote field work and environmental sensitivities, while demonstrating strong compliance with WHS legislation and client expectations.

Seismic operations present a complex mix of safety, environmental and community risks, particularly in the Australian context where crews often work in remote, harsh environments and sensitive cultural landscapes. This Seismic Operations Safety SOP provides a structured, end‑to‑end framework for managing those risks – from early planning and stakeholder consultation through to line clearing, drilling, shot firing, data acquisition, demobilisation and post‑survey rehabilitation. It focuses on practical field controls such as vehicle and journey management, explosives security, exclusion zones, communication protocols, heat and fatigue management, and coordination with landholders and Traditional Owners.

By implementing this SOP, organisations can move beyond ad‑hoc field practices and establish a consistent, defensible approach to seismic safety across all projects and contractors. The procedure helps you demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS laws, align with industry expectations in the oil, gas and resources sectors, and reduce the likelihood of serious incidents such as vehicle rollovers, misfires, uncontrolled detonations, environmental damage or community complaints. It is designed to be readily integrated into your existing WHS management system, providing clear responsibilities, checklists and step‑by‑step instructions that can be used for training, field supervision and audit purposes.

Key Benefits

• Ensure seismic survey activities are planned and executed in line with Australian WHS legislation and industry best practice.
• Reduce the risk of serious incidents involving explosives, vehicles, remote work and environmental harm.
• Standardise safety expectations and work methods across in‑house crews and contractors.
• Improve communication and coordination with landholders, Traditional Owners and local communities.
• Support efficient onboarding and competency development for new seismic personnel and supervisors.

Who is this for?

• Seismic Operations Managers
• Field Party Chiefs
• Geophysicists
• Seismic Crew Supervisors
• Shot Firers and Explosives Technicians
• Line Crew and Survey Assistants
• HSE Advisors and WHS Managers
• Remote Area and Exploration Managers
• Contracting and Procurement Managers (Resources Sector)
• Project Managers – Oil, Gas and Mineral Exploration

Hazards Addressed

• Explosive handling, storage, transport and shot firing risks (misfires, unintended detonation)
• Vehicle rollovers and collisions on unsealed, rough or remote access tracks
• Remote and isolated work, including communication failures and delayed emergency response
• Heat stress, dehydration and fatigue in hot or extreme weather conditions
• Slips, trips and falls during line clearing and traversing uneven terrain
• Struck‑by injuries from equipment, drilling rigs, winches and line‑laying operations
• Noise exposure from seismic sources, vehicles and plant
• Environmental damage to flora, fauna, waterways and culturally sensitive sites
• Manual handling strains from handling cables, geophones and heavy field equipment
• Bushfire ignition risks from vehicles, equipment and explosive use in dry conditions

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Company Policies
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Pre‑Planning and Risk Assessment for Seismic Operations
• 6.0 Stakeholder Engagement, Land Access and Cultural Heritage Considerations
• 7.0 Journey Management, Vehicle Requirements and Driving Rules
• 8.0 Remote and Isolated Work Controls and Communication Protocols
• 9.0 Explosives Management – Licensing, Storage, Transport and Security
• 10.0 Shot Firing Procedures, Exclusion Zones and Misfire Management
• 11.0 Line Clearing, Surveying and Terrain Navigation Safety
• 12.0 Equipment Setup, Seismic Source Operation and Cable Handling
• 13.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 14.0 Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Measures
• 15.0 Fatigue, Heat Stress and Fitness for Work Management
• 16.0 Emergency Preparedness, Response and Rescue Procedures
• 17.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 18.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 19.0 Monitoring, Inspection, Audit and Review of Seismic Operations
• 20.0 Document Control and Record Keeping

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace
• AS 2187.1: Explosives – Storage, transport and use – General requirements
• AS 2187.2: Explosives – Storage, transport and use – Use of explosives
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced)
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines
• AS/NZS 60079.14: Explosive atmospheres – Electrical installations design, selection and erection (where applicable to seismic equipment)
• Relevant state and territory Dangerous Goods and Explosives legislation and regulations