Standard Operating Procedure & RAMS – Rotary Percussive Boreholes

Method Statement Personal Protective Equipment

General ▪ Blue or white hard hat (mandatory)

This Method Statement details the general procedure to be followed for borehole drilling
using Rotary Percussive methods using a Commachio GEO 205 / 305 Rig.
An inspection pit should always be excavated by hand to a minimum depth of 1.2m.
Mechanical breakers and concrete corers should only be used to penetrate hard standing
and not over any known services.
COSHH
This Method Statement should be read in conjunction with the relevant Risk Assessments.
Works to be undertaken in accordance with BS5930 (1990), BS1377 (1990) and the BDA
‘Code of Practice’ and are supervised by a suitably qualified engineer.
This Method Statement should be used in conjunction with the relevant Risk Assessment.
Personnel
▪ Lace up safety Boots (mandatory)
▪ Orange High Visibility Jacket/Vest (mandatory)
▪ Orange High Visibility Over Trousers (for Network Rail Sites)
▪ Ear Defenders (to be worn in accordance with noise assessments)
▪ Safety Glasses/Goggles (worn as per risk assessments)
▪ Gloves (mandatory)
▪ Diesel Oil:- to fuel diesel engine plant
▪ Lubricating oils and greases:- to lubricate plant and drilling tools where
appropriate
▪ Hydraulic Oil:- used in the hydraulic system to power the drill rig
▪ Ordinary Portland Cement/Bentonite Powder:- used during the borehole
installation

All drilling work will be carried out by competent personnel who hold NVQ Level 2 in
Land Drilling. Specialist tracing equipment such as the RD8000 / CAT4 Cable Avoidance
Tool
Standard Equipment and Materials
General Instructions
All steps detailed in this Method Statement are to be completed sequentially, unless
otherwise instructed by IGL Operations Manager or Supervising Engineer.

▪ Hydraulic Tracked Diesel engine Rotary Percussive Rig

▪ Drill string, barrels, drill bit, hollow stem augers (optional)
▪ Towable Diesel 250 or 400 Compressor Unit and hoses.
▪ Towable Water Bowser
▪ RD8000 / CAT4 CAT
▪ Shovels, shovel holders and digging bar
▪ Tape measure
▪ Core Boxes
▪ Glass sample jars, zip seal bags and bulk bags

Doc. No. SOP 17 – February 2020 1 of 6

This document is not controlled if printed
Standard Operating Procedure & RAMS – Rotary Percussive Boreholes

System of Work
1. All available plans and other suitable information regarding underground and
overhead services in the area of concern must be referred to when the work is
planned and should be available on site when locating borehole positions. (It should
be noted that service connections from a main service to a building or street light
may not be shown on drawings).
2. A visual inspection of proposed exploratory location must be undertaken to identify
potential underground hazards. For example, locations should be relocated if they
fall within line of two inspection covers or are in close proximity to other signs of
service connections (e.g. telegraph poles).
3. Locations will be scanned by the trained operative with an RD4000 / CAT3 CAT prior
to commencement of excavation. If underground services are detected the Contract
Manager/Supervising Engineer should be informed immediately and before
continuing further.
water, sometimes containing polymer additive, which is pumped down the centre
of the drill string and returns, with any debris, through the annulus.
8. For hollow stem auger recovery no cooling of the drill bit is required.
9. Working areas must be kept clear of cuttings and excessive slurry to avoid a risk of
slipping; these will be removed to plastic bulk bags or a designated position near
the borehole. Hand tools will be kept in a safe location when not in use.
10. Where a deviation from the standard working practice occurs, such as drill tools
becoming stuck or rig instability a risk assessment will be completed by the lead
driller, which may result in the abandonment of the hole. The IGL Engineer must be
informed immediately.
11. On completion the borehole will be backfilled either with arisings or bentonite
pellets or installed with a groundwater monitoring standpipe.

4. The rig is normally mobilised to site in the back of a transit type van or on a plant
trailer, the rig is then tracked to a pre agreed location and set up using the four
hydraulic rams situated on either side of the rig, timbers are often used under each
ram particularly when setting up the rig on soft ground.

5. The mast is then erected using a hydraulic ram – when erect the mast is 4.5m from
ground level.

6. The rig comprises of a percussive hammer located to the site of the drilling head
and is used to drive window or windowless tubes into the ground which are then
extracted using the hydraulic jack system. This can be used as an option to sample
those samples overlying rock head.

7. Rotary coring uses the double tube method which comprises a drill barrel with
cutting bit and semi rigid liner attached to a string of hollow drill rods. Temporary
casing may be used to support the hole through loose or unstable material. The
core is held within the liner, which when full is recovered by with drawing all of the
drill rods and finally the barrel. The drill bit is cooled and kept clear of cuttings by
use of a flushing medium. This is commonly compressed air with water mist or

Doc. No. SOP 17 – February 2020 2 of 6

This document is not controlled if printed
Standard Operating Procedure & RAMS – Rotary Percussive Boreholes

Assessed by: Shaun Gilbrook Approved by: Rob Marsh

Hazard Specific - Risk
Assessment No. 6
Signed: Signed:

Hazard/
Work
activity Use of Rotary Percussive Drilling Rig Staff at Risk:
assessed: All Employees
Issued Date: June 2019 Review Date: June 2021 Others at Risk: Sub Contractors, site visitors

CONTROL MEASURES REQUIRED TO REDUCE THE RISK: Work to be undertaken in accordance with the method statement. Where a site is
operating a combination of working activities refer to all relevant/additional risk assessments

Ref Risk Rating Uncontrolled Risk rating Controlled

Task Hazard Consequence Control Measures
No L S R L S R
Purpose made fuel cans with spouts/separate funnel to be used.
Generators to sit in drip tray; all plant to be filled prior to the start of
Use of
Spillage of Injury / contamination the shift. Operators to wear gloves. Generator to be sited away from
1 Diesel/Petrol 4 5 20 3 3 9
Diesel/Petrol fuel of site. watercourses where possible.
Engines High Low
Spillage kits to be on hand, and used to mop up leaks. Unit to be
maintained. No fuel is permitted to be stored on site.
Moving parts
(drop Use trained, accredited driller (BDA/NVQ)
Weight/ 15 Good rig condition. 8
2 Bodily injury Minor to serious injury 3 5 2 4
hydraulic / Med Check PPE of crew, helmets, gloves, safety boots Low
Rotary Maintain barriers where public have access
movement)
Use rig where possible
Two man lift where possible
Manual Muscle strains, cuts, 9 6
3 Lifting heavy tools 3 4 Wear safety footwear and 3 2
handling grazes Med Low
gloves
Use trained / experienced operatives
Crew to use ear defenders or
Engine, drop weight Hearing, 12 4
4 Rig noise 4 3 ear plugs 2 2
noise nuisance to public Med Low
Work social hours, keep public away

Doc. No. SOP 17 – February 2020 3 of 6

This document is not controlled if printed
Standard Operating Procedure & RAMS – Rotary Percussive Boreholes

Ref Risk Rating Uncontrolled Risk rating Controlled

Task Hazard Consequence Control Measures
No L S R L S R
Exposure to fuels, Follow COSHH guidelines
Skin, eye, breathing
Hazardous lubes, 9 Use PPE – Including dust masks 4
5 damage, 3 3 2 2
substances cement, asphalt for Med do not expose skin Low
undesirable ingestion
reinstatement Practise good personal hygiene
Check borehole location for overhead services
Electricity Fatality or serious 15 5
6 Electrocution 3 5 prior to erecting rig, maintain safe clearance, work 1 5
(overhead) burns Med Low
in daylight
Nausea, disease,
Assess published information for previous uses of site
ingestion of
Provide appropriate PPE for
Presence of Working in contaminated solids or
12 crew and engineers 6
7 contaminants contaminated fluids, 4 3 2 3
Med Practise good personal hygiene Low
and gases ground possible breathing
No consumption of food on site
damage
No smoking on site
or suffocation
Check services information
Electrocution/explosi
Excavate inspection pit by hand
on, 12 4
8 Buried services Minor injury to fatality 3 4 Check location with "CAT" 2 2
leaks, possibly under Med Low
Permit to dig
pressure
Briefing/training
Review desktop information available and adopt safe excavation
procedures.
Unexploded 12 6
9 Excavations Injury 2 6 UXO mitigation measures (including a specialist operative on site) only 1 6
Ordnance Med Low
required if review of UXO desktop report deems it necessary; A UXO
watching brief will be provided on site.
Ensure excess slurry / spoil does not accumulate in work area and site
is washed / swept down as required.
Working around 12 Tools to be stored neatly to allow clear walking routes around 8
10 Slips, Trips and Falls Injury 3 4 2 4
Rig Med equipment. Low
Cables and hoses to be laid neatly and taped down where necessary,
avoiding walking routes.

Doc. No. SOP 17 – February 2020 4 of 6

This document is not controlled if printed
 Standard Operating Procedure & RAMS – Rotary Percussive Boreholes

Severity

Likelihood

S = Severity
L = Likelihood
R = Risk

Doc. No. SOP 17 – February 2020 5 of 6

This document is not controlled if printed
Standard Operating Procedure & RAMS – Rotary Percussive Boreholes

RISK SCORING TABLE

The following table provides a means of prioritising risk control actions and gives a guide The following guidelines should be used to determine the response that
to ALARP levels. should be taken to manage the risk to an acceptable level.

Score Description Definition

Multiple Risk Rating Response
6 Two or more fatalities
Fatalities
5 Fatal Fatality
(or Multiple
Severe Injuries) High High Risks are not considered acceptable and
measures must be in place to reduce the risk to a
4 Severe Fracture of major bone or skull
medium or low level. If the risk cannot be reduced
(or Multiple Loss of limb or eye
then a detailed cost benefit analysis must be produced
Major Injuries) Permanent loss of sight or hearing to show that additional controls are not reasonably
Acute illness requiring medical treatment practicable and that the risk is ALARP.
Unconsciousness requiring resuscitation
Any injury leading to more than a month off work
Medium Where possible reasonable measures must be
3 Major Injury Fractures (hand, wrist, ankle etc)
introduced to reduce risks to a low level. If they cannot
(or Multiple Unconsciousness
be reasonably reduced then the decision as to accept
Minor Injuries) Major burn
this level of risk must be made by the professional
Amputation of digits (fingers and toes) judgement of the review team.
Temporary loss of sight or hearing
Any injury leading to between 3 days to a month off work
Low Low risks are generally considered acceptable,
2 Minor Fracture of digits (fingers and toes) although minimal controls must still be in place to
Strains and sprains ensure they remain at that level.
Scratches, cuts, abrasions & bruising
Minor burn
General discomfort
Minor ill health & Allergies
Minor (temporary) illnesses (e.g. strain)
Any injury leading to less than 3 days off work

Doc. No. SOP 17 – February 2020 6 of 6

This document is not controlled if printed