Core Drilling SWMS
Diamond and hammer core drilling for geotechnical, environmental, mineral-exploration and civil-investigation sampling — rig set-up, ground-condition assessment, core recovery, fluid-drilling management, down-hole ergonomics and isolated-site emergency response.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Core drilling involves diamond or hammer rigs recovering cylindrical samples for geotechnical, environmental, mineral exploration and civil investigation programs, including rig set-up, ground condition assessment, drilling-fluid management, core handling and isolated-site response. Under the Model WHS Act 2011 and WHS Regulations 2025 Chapter 4 Part 4.5 (Plant), PCBUs must document a SWMS before powered mobile plant operations and any high risk construction work commences, and review it whenever conditions change.
Hazards identified
14 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Loose clothing or gloves drawn into rotating rods causing degloving, amputation or fatal crush injuries.
Tracked or trailer rig overturns on uneven ground, crushing operator or assistants.
Pinhole leak under pressure injects oil through skin causing severe tissue necrosis.
Penetration of energised cables, gas mains or fibre causing electrocution, explosion or major service damage.
Fingers crushed between rod and breakout wrench or carousel during make/break operations.
Pressurised return flow ejects cuttings and contaminated fluid into eyes and face.
Respirable crystalline silica exposure exceeding workplace exposure standard causing silicosis.
Sustained rig and compressor noise causes irreversible noise-induced hearing loss.
Repetitive lifting of heavy rods and core boxes causes acute back and shoulder injuries.
Oxygen deficiency or contaminant accumulation in cased holes or sumps causes asphyxiation.
Remote location delays medical response to serious injury increasing fatality risk.
Prolonged outdoor exposure on exploration sites causes heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Contact between raised mast and overhead conductors causes electrocution and equipment damage.
Wet, muddy work platforms cause slips, trips and falls onto rotating equipment.
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Conduct DBYD search and hand-expose services to 1.5 m before powered drilling commences on any new hole.
- 2Level and bog rig on competent ground; deploy outriggers and exclude personnel from tipping zone during mast raise.
- 3Install full guarding over rotating drive head, chuck and rod string; isolate and lock out before clearing jams.
- 4Implement wet drilling or on-rig dust suppression and air-purifying respirators where silica RCS exceeds 0.05 mg/m³.
- 5Maintain minimum 6.4 m clearance from overhead powerlines or obtain network operator permit and spotter.
- 6Equip remote sites with satellite communications, trauma kit, vehicle-based evacuation plan and trained first aider on shift.
- 7Verify atmospheric testing and confined space permit before any entry into cased holes, shafts or drill sumps.
Applicable Codes of Practice
Directly governs guarding, isolation and operator competency for powered drilling rigs and ancillary plant.
Sets exclusion zones and permit requirements for mast operation near overhead and buried services.
Defines noise assessment, hearing protection and audiometric monitoring obligations for drilling crews.
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Tracked, truck and trailer-mounted core rigs are powered mobile plant operating on construction and exploration sites.
Downhole inspection, cased hole entry and sump work meet confined space definition with restricted access and atmospheric risk.
Investigation drilling regularly involves shafts, test pits and casing collars exceeding 1.5 m depth.
Triggers mandatory SWMS under WHS Regulation 291 before work starts; SWMS must be reviewed if controls fail or conditions change.
Who this is for
- →Geotechnical and environmental drilling contractors operating track or truck-mounted core rigs
- →Mineral exploration companies running diamond and RC programs in WA, NSW and QLD
- →Civil and tunnelling principal contractors engaging drillers for site investigation works
What you receive
- ✓Editable Microsoft Word DOCX SWMS tailored to core drilling operations
- ✓State-specific legislation schedule covering WHS, mines safety and explosives regulations
- ✓Pre-populated hazard and risk register aligned to the 14 identified hazards
- ✓Worker sign-on register meeting WHS Regulation 300 consultation evidence requirements
Worked example
A geotechnical contractor mobilised a track-mounted diamond rig to a regional bridge investigation. The supervisor used this SWMS to brief the two-person crew on DBYD findings, mast clearance from a nearby 22 kV line, rod-handling pinch points and silica controls during dry runs through weathered sandstone. When fluid return blocked, the crew followed the lockout step before clearing the head. All workers signed the consultation register, satisfying the principal's pre-start audit.
Related legislation
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth model)
- Work Health and Safety Regulations 2025 — Chapter 4 Part 4.5 Plant
- Work Health and Safety Regulations 2025 — Chapter 6 Construction Work
- Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 (WA)
- Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum) Regulation 2022 (NSW)