Product Overview

This Under-Road Boring Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for trenchless boring and drilling works beneath roadways. It is a comprehensive, ready-to-use document that supports WHS compliance and systematically manages the risks associated with under-road boring operations on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and coordination of under-road boring works, including review of drawings, permits, and dial-before-you-dig information
• Pre-start inspections of boring rigs, power units, hydraulic systems, and associated plant and equipment
• Selection, inspection, and safe handling of drill rods, cutting heads, reamers, and boring accessories
• Establishment of exclusion zones, barricades, and signage to protect workers, traffic, and the public
• Safe setup and positioning of boring equipment in launch and reception pits or work zones
• Excavation, shoring, and safe access/egress for pits used in under-road boring operations
• Locating, identifying, and protecting underground services such as gas, water, electricity, and communications
• Control of plant movement, including loading, unloading, and repositioning boring rigs and support vehicles
• Management of noise, vibration, dust, and slurry generated during boring and drilling activities
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including eye, hearing, respiratory, and hand protection
• Manual handling and mechanical lifting of heavy components, tooling, and pipes
• Emergency response procedures for utility strikes, ground collapse, equipment failure, or worker injury
• Environmental controls for managing spoil, drilling fluids, and potential contamination
• Communication protocols between operators, spotters, traffic controllers, and site supervisors
• Shutdown, isolation, cleaning, and maintenance of under-road boring plant and equipment

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for civil contractors, trenchless technology specialists, plumbing and utilities contractors, and site supervisors involved in under-road boring and horizontal directional drilling works.

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 – for planning and managing risks associated with construction-related boring and drilling activities
• Code of Practice: Excavation Work – for safe excavation, pits, shoring, and ground stability during under-road boring
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace – for safe use, inspection, and maintenance of boring rigs and associated plant
• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – for the risk management framework used throughout this SWMS
• Code of Practice: Confined Spaces – where pits or access chambers may present confined space hazards
• Code of Practice: Traffic Management for Construction or Maintenance Work – for managing vehicle and pedestrian interface around road works
• AS/NZS 4801 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems – as a reference for systematic safety management practices