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Under Road Boring Risk Assessment

Under Road Boring Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Under Road Boring Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Under Road Boring through a structured, management-level WHS Risk Management framework that addresses planning, governance, plant, and workforce systems. This Risk Assessment supports compliance with the WHS Act, demonstrates executive Due Diligence, and helps protect your business from operational and legal liability.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • WHS Management, Governance & Legal Compliance: Assessment of safety leadership, WHS policy, due diligence duties, consultation arrangements, and alignment with statutory obligations for under road boring operations.
  • Design, Engineering & Road / Services Interface Risk Management: Management of engineering design reviews, bore alignment, separation distances to services, and integration with road authority and utility owner requirements.
  • Project Planning, Approvals & Stakeholder Coordination: Protocols for planning approvals, permits, dial-before-you-dig processes, and coordination with councils, road agencies, utility providers, and adjacent landowners.
  • Contractor, Subcontractor & Specialist Supplier Management: Systems for contractor prequalification, scope definition, WHS criteria in procurement, performance monitoring, and interface risk control between multiple parties.
  • Workforce Competency, Licensing & Training Systems: Assessment of competency frameworks, high-risk work licences, verification of competency (VOC), and task-specific training for boring crews and supervisors.
  • Plant Selection, Procurement & Engineering Controls: Management of boring rigs, support plant and lifting equipment selection, guarding, emergency stop systems, and suitability of plant for ground and traffic conditions.
  • Plant Inspection, Maintenance & Pre‑Start Assurance: Systems for scheduled servicing, inspection records, pre-start checklists, defect reporting, and isolation/lockout procedures for boring and support equipment.
  • Shaft, Excavation & Ground Control Management Systems: Assessment of shaft design, shoring, benching and battering, ground stability monitoring, exclusion zones, and safe access/egress arrangements.
  • Traffic, Road Corridor & Public Interface Management: Management of traffic guidance schemes, road occupancy licences, pedestrian separation, worksite security, and protection of the public in live traffic environments.
  • Confined Space, Ventilation & Atmospheric Risk Management: Protocols for confined space identification, entry permits, atmospheric testing, ventilation design, and continuous monitoring during boring operations.
  • Utilities, Service Location & Strike Prevention Systems: Systems for service locating, potholing, mark-up verification, no-go zones, and escalation processes to prevent contact with gas, power, water, and communications assets.
  • Environmental, Groundwater & Spoil Management Systems: Management of drilling fluids, groundwater inflows, erosion and sediment control, spoil classification, and environmentally compliant disposal practices.
  • Fatigue, Rostering & Remote / After‑Hours Work Management: Assessment of shift design, travel time, remote work arrangements, fatigue monitoring, and supervision for night and weekend works.
  • Communication, Documentation & Change Management: Systems for toolbox talks, work instructions, drawings and mark-up control, and formal management of design or scope changes affecting risk.
  • Emergency Preparedness, Rescue & Incident Management: Planning for shaft rescue, plant incidents, service strikes, traffic incidents, spill response, and post-incident investigation and corrective actions.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, Project Managers, Construction Managers, and Safety Officers responsible for planning, approving, and overseeing Under Road Boring works within their organisation or supply chain.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. WHS Management, Governance & Legal Compliance
  • • Lack of documented WHS management system aligned with WHS Act 2011 and WHS Regulations
  • • Unclear WHS roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for under road boring activities
  • • Failure to apply the hierarchy of control at a system level for boring and jacking operations
  • • Inadequate processes for consulting workers and subcontractors on WHS matters
  • • No formal process to identify, assess and review risks specific to guided boring and pipe jacking works
  • • Poor integration of WHS requirements into contracts with plant hire providers and subcontractors
  • • Failure to keep WHS records, risk assessments and review evidence as required by legislation
2. Design, Engineering & Road / Services Interface Risk Management
  • • Inadequate design review of boring alignment and depth leading to strikes on existing underground services or road foundations
  • • Insufficient geotechnical investigation causing unexpected ground conditions, collapse or loss of ground under road pavement
  • • Poor coordination between designer, road authority and utility owners regarding clearances, separation distances and easements
  • • Failure to apply engineering standards for pipe jacking, casing pipes and thrust forces
  • • Lack of independent verification of design for high‑risk crossings (major roads, rail, critical utilities)
  • • Design assumptions not communicated to construction team, resulting in inappropriate construction methods
  • • Insufficient assessment of ground movement impacts on road surface, adjacent structures and third‑party assets
3. Project Planning, Approvals & Stakeholder Coordination
  • • Commencing under road boring works without necessary road authority approvals or traffic management clearances
  • • Inadequate planning for interaction with other contractors, utilities or concurrent works in the corridor
  • • Poor communication with road owners, councils or asset custodians regarding vibration, subsidence and access impacts
  • • Insufficient pre‑construction coordination meetings and interfaces between designer, constructor and operations personnel
  • • Failure to plan for shutdowns or relocations of existing services during jacking works, resulting in unplanned outages
  • • Lack of defined handover criteria and assurance that installed asset meets operator requirements
4. Contractor, Subcontractor & Specialist Supplier Management
  • • Engagement of boring and jacking contractors without adequate WHS capability or experience
  • • Subcontractors using non‑compliant or poorly maintained jacking frames, hydraulic systems or guidance equipment
  • • Inconsistent safety standards between principal contractor and specialist boring contractor
  • • Lack of clarity on who controls particular WHS risks (e.g. shaft design, dewatering, traffic interfaces)
  • • Inadequate review of subcontractor SWMS, risk assessments and training records
  • • Payment incentives that drive unsafe productivity expectations or discourage reporting of issues
5. Workforce Competency, Licensing & Training Systems
  • • Under‑qualified personnel operating underground borer machines and pipe jacking equipment
  • • Lack of verified high‑risk work licences for relevant tasks (e.g. dogging, rigging, crane, electrical work)
  • • Inadequate training in reading bore plans, utility plans and guidance system outputs
  • • Supervisors without specific competency in tunnelling / boring risk management and shaft work
  • • No structured refresher training on emergency procedures, entrapment risks, or plant isolation
  • • Reliance on informal on‑the‑job learning without competency assessment
6. Plant Selection, Procurement & Engineering Controls
  • • Use of unsuitable or underspecified boring machines for ground conditions, pipe size or drive length
  • • Plant lacking essential safety features such as emergency stop systems, guarding, interlocks and pressure relief devices
  • • Inadequate consideration of power source risks (hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic) during selection
  • • Non‑compliance of imported plant with Australian Standards and WHS Regulation plant requirements
  • • Failure to specify guidance and monitoring systems for alignment, jacking loads and ground movement
  • • No formal acceptance testing or commissioning before plant is used on live bores
7. Plant Inspection, Maintenance & Pre‑Start Assurance
  • • Failure of jacking systems, hydraulic cylinders or pipe supports due to poor maintenance
  • • Unplanned loss of power or control to the borer leading to entrapment or collapse risks
  • • Leaks of hydraulic fluid, fuel or coolant causing fire, slip or environmental hazards
  • • Non‑functioning emergency stops, interlocks or guards due to lack of inspection
  • • Inadequate pre‑start checks in launch/reception shafts and underground locations
  • • Reliance on reactive repairs rather than planned preventative maintenance
8. Shaft, Excavation & Ground Control Management Systems
  • • Collapse of launch or reception shafts due to inadequate design, shoring or installation controls
  • • Uncontrolled ground loss leading to subsidence of the road surface or adjacent structures
  • • Ingress of water causing instability of shaft walls, loss of ground or borer entrapment
  • • Lack of systematic monitoring of ground conditions, settlement and support performance
  • • Improvised alterations to shaft dimensions, benching or access without engineering review
  • • Inadequate control of loads applied to shaft edges from cranes, vehicles or spoil stockpiles
9. Traffic, Road Corridor & Public Interface Management
  • • Vehicle collisions with workers, plant or shafts due to inadequate traffic management
  • • Road pavement failure or noticeable subsidence impacting public traffic safety
  • • Uncontrolled access of the public into work zones or open shafts
  • • Inadequate communication of lane closures, detours or speed reductions
  • • Poor coordination between traffic controllers and boring operations leading to congestion and rushed work
  • • Non‑compliance with road authority traffic control requirements
10. Confined Space, Ventilation & Atmospheric Risk Management
  • • Unrecognised confined spaces within shafts, pipes or bore tunnels leading to asphyxiation or toxic exposure
  • • Inadequate ventilation within launch shafts or jacked pipes causing build‑up of exhaust gases or fumes
  • • Lack of atmospheric testing before entry to pipes or enclosed work areas
  • • Uncontrolled entry into shafts or pipes by untrained or unprotected personnel
  • • Poor rescue planning for workers incapacitated within a shaft or pipe
  • • Use of combustion engines, welding or cutting equipment in poorly ventilated spaces
11. Utilities, Service Location & Strike Prevention Systems
  • • Striking live electrical, gas, water, sewer, telecommunications or fibre lines during boring
  • • Reliance on outdated or inaccurate utility plans without verification
  • • Poor communication with asset owners about exact location, depth and protection requirements
  • • Lack of formal change process when services are found in unexpected locations
  • • Inadequate documentation of potholing, proving and clearances for future reference
  • • Insufficient separation distances between new and existing assets
12. Environmental, Groundwater & Spoil Management Systems
  • • Uncontrolled discharge of drilling fluids, spoil or contaminated groundwater to the environment
  • • Groundwater draw‑down affecting nearby structures, pavements or ecosystems
  • • Inadequate classification and disposal of contaminated spoil or slurry
  • • Noise and vibration from boring operations impacting nearby receptors
  • • Non‑compliance with environmental approval conditions linked to road and utility works
13. Fatigue, Rostering & Remote / After‑Hours Work Management
  • • Operator fatigue due to extended shifts, night works or high workload during critical boring stages
  • • Inadequate supervision and support during after‑hours or weekend works
  • • Long travel times to remote road crossings without journey management controls
  • • Pressure to complete bores under tight road occupation windows leading to extended hours or skipped breaks
  • • Lack of fit‑for‑work checks and reporting culture around fatigue and impairment
14. Communication, Documentation & Change Management
  • • Critical information about ground conditions, design assumptions or service locations not reaching operators and supervisors
  • • Uncontrolled changes to alignment, bore length, shaft position or method without risk review
  • • Outdated drawings, permits or SWMS being used in the field
  • • Breakdown in communication between shifts resulting in inconsistent controls
  • • Language, literacy or numeracy barriers affecting understanding of boring procedures and risks
15. Emergency Preparedness, Rescue & Incident Management
  • • Delayed or ineffective response to shaft collapse, entrapment, inundation or plant failure emergencies
  • • Lack of practical rescue capability for workers inside shafts or pipes
  • • Unclear roles and responsibilities during incidents involving road users or public utilities
  • • Insufficient coordination with emergency services regarding site access and hazards
  • • Inadequate post‑incident investigation and corrective actions to prevent recurrence
16. Monitoring, Measurement, Audit & Continuous Improvement
  • • Deterioration of controls over time due to lack of monitoring and verification
  • • Repeated near misses or minor failures in boring operations not being detected as systemic issues
  • • Failure to analyse data from incidents, inspections and monitoring to improve systems
  • • Over‑reliance on paperwork without field verification of actual practices
  • • Inconsistent auditing of subcontractor and specialist contractor performance

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

Don't worry if a specific hazard isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom hazards at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the risk ratings and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
  • Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Guidance on systematic hazard identification, risk assessment and control.
  • Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Excavation Work: Requirements for excavation, shafts, ground support and associated risk controls.
  • Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Confined Spaces: Duties and control measures for confined space entry, ventilation, and rescue planning.
  • Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work: WHS obligations and risk management for construction and civil works, including underground services.
  • AS 1742 – Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices: Requirements for traffic management and signage in road corridors.
  • AS/NZS 4801 / ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems): Principles for establishing, implementing and improving WHS management systems.
  • AS 2865 (where applicable): Confined spaces — Safety requirements.
  • AS 2550 & AS 1418 Series: Cranes, hoists and winches — Safe use and design where lifting and support plant are used for shaft and boring operations.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

$79.5

Safe Work Australia Aligned