This Drilling Site Establishment and Drilling Operations SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers preparing access tracks and drill pads, then setting up and running a drill rig. It covers 42 activities, from the site inspection to rollover protection on mobile plant, with the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for each. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Geotechnical and environmental drilling contractors
Exploration drilling contractors working on mine sites and remote leases
Water bore drilling businesses
Civil contractors preparing access tracks and drill pads
Earthmoving operators who clear and level drill sites
It also works as a written task risk assessment for any business where workers set up and run a drill rig, the same way you'd use a JSA or Safe Work Procedure.
Use it to
Hand clients and principal contractors the SWMS they ask for
Apply for tenders and new jobs with your safety paperwork ready
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and run toolbox talks on the task
What this SWMS covers
Site inspection, hazard information and access tracks, including bogging, rollover and powerline contact
Stockpiling, tipping and spreading ballast, with truck tip-over, buried services and struck-by risks
Slashing, clearing and tree removal, including bush fire risk and protecting threatened species
Cutting and filling the pad, then levelling the rig clear of overhead powerlines
Excavating and lining sumps, building bunds and erecting sediment fences
Working near other trades, the public and mobile plant, including rollover protection
Rotating drill string, rod handling and guarding to prevent entanglement and crush injuries
Drilling fluids, cuttings and high pressure lines, including fluid injection and hose whip
Dust and respirable crystalline silica from rock, sandstone, concrete and soil
Downhole hazards such as buried services, artesian water flow and hydrogen sulphide
Rig maintenance, isolation and refuelling, plus fire prevention and chemicals
Sun, weather, lighting, remote area work, first aid and incident response
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 42 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist and high risk construction work checklist
Plant and equipment list covering drill rigs, rod handlers, mud pumps, compressors and support plant
Licence, competency and training requirements, including the White Card where required
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your job
Worker sign-off sheet and worker consultation record
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing a SWMS from a blank page
Covers the most common hazards and control measures for this work, ready to use out of the box
Fully editable, so you can add, remove or change anything to suit your site and how your team works
Helps your business stay compliant, with risk ratings, worker sign-off and consultation records already set up
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, ABN, project and site details.
Check it suits your site and task, edit anything you need to, and consult your workers before you finalise it.
Brief your team and collect signatures.
Common questions
Do I need a SWMS for drilling site establishment and drilling operations?
A SWMS is legally required when the work is high risk construction work, for example where powered mobile plant is moving, near energised overhead powerlines, or near buried gas mains. Outside those situations a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Clients and prequalification portals often ask for one either way.
Does it cover silica dust from drilling?
Yes. It has a separate activity for dust and respirable crystalline silica from rock, sandstone, concrete and soil, alongside general drilling dust.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any hazard, control or rating, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
