Directional Drilling (HDD) SWMS
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) for utilities and civil infrastructure — pilot bore, pre-ream, pullback, bore-path surveying, service-strike prevention, bentonite slurry management and pit work-zone controls.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) installs underground utilities and civil services via pilot bore, pre-ream and pullback operations, including bore-path surveying, bentonite slurry management and entry/exit pit work. This SWMS addresses obligations under the WHS Act 2011 and WHS Regulation 2025 Chapter 4 Part 4.5 (Plant), Chapter 6 (Construction Work) and Regulation 291 (High Risk Construction Work) where powered mobile plant, underground work and work near underground services trigger mandatory documented controls.
Hazards identified
12 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Electrocution, arc flash burns and fatality from contact with energised conductor.
Explosion, fire and asphyxiation from uncontrolled gas release.
Environmental contamination and pedestrian slip hazard on roadways or waterways.
Crush or run-over injury to ground crew near drill rig or vac truck.
Entanglement, severe lacerations or amputation during rod loading and breakout.
Step and touch potential electrocuting operator and ground personnel.
Engulfment or crush injury to personnel working in entry or exit pits.
Acute toxicity, unconsciousness or asphyxiation in confined or poorly ventilated pits.
Subcutaneous injection causing tissue necrosis from leaking hoses or fittings.
Musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive lifting and awkward postures.
Noise-induced hearing loss from prolonged exposure exceeding 85 dB(A).
Vehicle impact with workers, plant or pit excavations on live roadways.
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Obtain Dial Before You Dig plans within 30 days of works; pothole and expose all services by hydro-excavation before drilling.
- 2Use insulated drill string strike alert system and ground mats; isolate and de-energise nearby electrical assets where reasonably practicable.
- 3Establish 3 m exclusion zone around drill rig with physical barriers; only trained operators inside during rotation.
- 4Atmospheric test all pits before entry; provide forced ventilation and gas monitors for H2S, LEL, O2 and CO.
- 5Implement traffic management plan compliant with AS 1742.3 with positive separation between live traffic and work zone.
- 6Bench, batter or shore pits over 1.5 m depth per Excavation Work Code of Practice; install edge protection.
- 7Conduct pre-start inspection of rig, hoses and rod connections per AS/NZS 4024; tag out defective plant immediately.
Applicable Codes of Practice
Mandatory controls for entry/exit pit excavations, ground stability and underground service protection during HDD operations.
Establishes guarding, emergency stop and risk reduction requirements for HDD rigs and ancillary powered plant.
Sets duties for plant inspection, operator competency and isolation procedures applicable to drill rigs and mud systems.
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
HDD rigs, vacuum trucks and excavators are powered mobile plant operating in shared work zones with ground personnel.
Entry and exit pits routinely exceed 1.5 m depth requiring shoring, benching or battering controls.
Drilling proximity to underground electrical, gas, water and telecommunications assets creates strike and energisation risk.
HRCW triggers mandatory SWMS under WHS Regulation 291 before work starts; non-compliance attracts penalties up to $15,000 individual or $75,000 body corporate.
Who this is for
- →Civil and utility contractors performing trenchless installations of power, gas, water, sewer or telecommunications conduits
- →HDD rig operators, locators and pit crew working under principal contractor SWMS requirements
- →Project managers and WHS coordinators preparing construction phase documentation for HDD subcontract packages
What you receive
- ✓Editable Microsoft Word DOCX SWMS template with company branding fields
- ✓State-specific legislation schedule covering NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT and NT
- ✓Pre-populated hazard register aligned to HDD pilot, ream and pullback phases
- ✓Worker sign-on register for daily SWMS acknowledgement and competency verification
Worked example
A utility contractor installing 180 m of HV conduit beneath a suburban arterial road used this SWMS to document service location, strike alert systems and pit shoring. When pothole exposure revealed an unmarked Telstra duct 400 mm shallower than plans indicated, the documented bore-path realignment procedure was followed, the principal contractor was notified, and the SWMS was reviewed before pullback commenced — preventing a likely service strike.
Related legislation
- WHS Act 2011 (model) sections 19 and 20 — primary duty of care
- WHS Regulation 2025 Part 6.3 — High Risk Construction Work and SWMS
- WHS Regulation 2025 Chapter 4 Part 4.5 — Plant
- WHS Regulation 2025 Part 6.4 — Excavation work
- Dial Before You Dig Australia service-location protocol