Directional Drilling Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)  SWMS Overview 

The Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for Directional Drilling outlines the procedures and risk controls required for trenchless drilling operations, including horizontal directional drilling (HDD) for the installation of underground services such as conduits, pipes, and cables. It applies to residential, commercial, and civil construction sites in Australia and ensures compliance with Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, relevant Codes of Practice, and manufacturer guidelines.

Key focus areas include conducting a site-specific risk assessment, identifying and locating underground services before drilling, and ensuring equipment is inspected, maintained, and operated by trained and competent personnel. It highlights the importance of setting up exclusion zones, implementing traffic and pedestrian management, and maintaining clear communication between drill operators and spotters.

This SWMS also covers the safe handling of drilling fluids, management of pressurised systems, and the prevention of ground collapse or inadvertent returns. Emergency response procedures for equipment failure, fluid spills, or striking underground utilities are also addressed to minimise environmental and safety risks.

By implementing this SWMS, workers can reduce the likelihood of underground service strikes, environmental contamination, manual handling injuries, and equipment-related incidents, ensuring directional drilling is performed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with WHS and environmental requirements.

Suitable for electrotechnology trades including: Compliant in all Australian States and New Zealand What’s Included  This ready-to-use SWMS package features: 

• Understanding NECA SWMS 
• JSA SWMS Cover Sheet 
• MDirectional Drilling SWMS – Style A
• Directional Drilling  SWMS – Style B 
• SWMS Sign off Sheet 

Flexible SWMS Styles  To meet unique project and contractor needs, we’ve developed two consistent SWMS styles: 

• Style A (Blue): A simple, streamlined version inspired by the Safe Work Australia template, perfect for workers who prefer clear, straightforward safety documents. 

• Style B (Tan): A detailed format designed to meet strict compliance checklists, ideal for principal contractors requiring enhanced documentation. 

Both styles maintain the same core safety content, ensuring consistency across projects. Workers inducted and trained in one style can seamlessly adapt to the other, streamlining document control and significantly reducing admin time and stress during the SWMS submission process.  Why Choose NECA SWMS?   NECA SWMS solutions are industry-specific, written by professionals with real-world experience, and based on Standards, Codes of Practice, and Legislation. These templates:  

• Simplify compliance with principal contractor requirements.  

• Save admin time with editable MS Word templates ready for instant download.  

• Provide clear, user-friendly documents to reduce frustration in the workplace.  

Completed SWMS templates. Simply insert your company logo, business details, and site details, and they’re ready to send off to your client. Templates can be amended to suit specific needs, saving valuable time and resources while maintaining compliance.   With a NECA SWMS, you can ensure robust safety practices, better version control, and a stress-free submission process.