JOB SAFETY
ANALYSIS
Ditch Witch® Horizontal Directional Drill
JOBSITE LOCATION: DATE:
JOBSITE SUPERVISOR: COMPLETED BY:
LOCATE TICKET #: CUSTOMER:
EMERGENCY PHONE #S:
Jobsite Classification: Recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
□ Electric Safety glasses
□ Natural Gas Hearing protection
□ Crystalline Silica Dust Electrically insulated boots & gloves
□ Other Hard hat
High visibility vest/clothing
TASK: POTENTIAL HAZARD: RECOMMENDED ACTION/PROCEDURE:
Fluid injection while Check for leaks with engine off. If system is
checking for leaks. pressurized, use cardboard- not your hand-to check
for leaks.
Perform all maintenance and repairs with engine off.
Maintenance
Rotating or moving parts
Wear proper PPE.
Crushing weight while Be sure to use the cylinder locks or drill frame
working under area that's support, if provided, prior to working under a
supported by supported area.
a stabilizer or cylinder
Loading & unloading the Keep yourself and all bystanders at a safe distance. Load
Struck by
drill from trailer drill at low throttle.
Ensure proper weight distribution. (Ten to fifteen percent
of total trailer weight must be on the tongue.)
Loss of vehicle control,
trailer sway Ensure tow vehicle is rated for the weight of the
Transporting drill on trailer and equipment. Consider any additional
trailer weight (downhole tools, water, mud, etc.)
Tiedown machine properly.
Unstable drill or loose
parts/equipment Secure any loose components
Arrange for traffic control.
Working near traffic, struck
by Wear proper PPE, such as high visibility clothing.
Preparing jobsite
Whiteline proposed excavation area. Then, call your local
Striking existing utility One- Call to have underground utilities located before
while excavating digging.
Verify locates and expose any utilities in the planned
path.
Complete a risk assessment to ensure slope and
Machine rollover while conditions are conducive to a safe working environment.
mobiling on an incline
Follow proper procedures in operator's manual while on
inclines.
Always complete your own Job Safety Analysis based on the job and jobsite. You should always
read and understand the operator’s manual before operating any equipment.
For additional information, please e-mail safety@ditchwitch.com or visit ditchwitch.com/safe.
JOB SAFETY
ANALYSIS
Ditch Witch® Horizontal Directional Drill
Setting up the drill Have utilities located and verified prior to beginning work.
Operate only from the proper operator station or
Striking existing utility
platform, if provided, while driving the anchors.
while driving anchors
Wear proper PPE, such as electrically insulated boots
and gloves, when within 10' of an electric line.
Always complete your own Job Safety Analysis based on the job and jobsite. You should always
read and understand the operator’s manual before operating any equipment.
For additional information, please e-mail safety@ditchwitch.com or visit ditchwitch.com/safe.
JOB SAFETY
ANALYSIS
Ditch Witch® Horizontal Directional Drill
TASK: POTENTIAL HAZARD: RECOMMENDED ACTION/PROCEDURE:
Locate and verify existing utilities prior to excavation.
Only use soft excavation to verify the utility will not be
damaged.
Expose the utility to the depth of the intended bore
Striking existing utility while
path. Always track drill head at least every half to full
drilling or backreaming
length of pipe. Maintain two-way communication with
tracker.
Know emergency procedures.
Consider the size of the backreamer and ensure
there is sufficient clearance during pullback.
Keep everyone at least 10' away from the drill while
it is operating.
Wear proper PPE.
Ensure that the ESID is set up and functioning
properly. Know emergency procedures.
If you are on the drill, do not move. Remain on
drilling machine. Warn others nearby that an
electric strike occurred and to stay back.
Drilling near or around Striking electric line
Contact electric company. Reverse drilling
existing utilities direction. Do not touch pipe with hands or
hand-held tools. Follow ESID procedures in
operator’s manual. Do not resume drilling or
allow anyone into area until given permission
by the electric company.
If you are off the drill or bonded equipment,
do not touch any equipment connected to the
drilling unit. Stay where you are unless you
are wearing electric insulating boots. If you
leave, do not return to area or
allow anyone into area until given
permission by electric company.
Immediately shut off engine and remove any ignition
sources.
Warn others that a gas line has been cut and that they
should leave the area. This may include nearby homes or
buildings.
Striking gas line Know emergency procedures.
Immediately shut off engine and remove any
ignition sources. Warn others that a gas line
has been cut and that they should leave the
area. This may include nearby homes or
buildings. Leave jobsite as quickly as possible.
Immediately call your local emergency phone
number and utility company. If jobsite is along
a street, stop traffic. Do not return until given
permission by emergency personnel and utility
company.
Always complete your own Job Safety Analysis based on the job and jobsite. You should always
read and understand the operator’s manual before operating any equipment.
For additional information, please e-mail safety@ditchwitch.com or visit ditchwitch.com/safe.
JOB SAFETY
ANALYSIS
Ditch Witch® Horizontal Directional Drill
Calibrate beacon
Striking existing utility
Start shift/job with fresh batteries
due to lost or inaccurate
tracking Check all interference along planned bore path
Utilities that will be crossed during drilling and
Crossing existing utility Striking existing utility
backreaming must be exposed and watched by a
spotter.
Drilling parallel to More frequent tracking and potholing is needed to ensure
Striking existing utility
existing utility the tolerance zone is not encroached.
Always complete your own Job Safety Analysis based on the job and jobsite. You should always
read and understand the operator’s manual before operating any equipment.
For additional information, please e-mail safety@ditchwitch.com or visit ditchwitch.com/safe.
JOB SAFETY
ANALYSIS
Ditch Witch® Horizontal Directional Drill
TASK: POTENTIAL HAZARD: RECOMMENDED ACTION/PROCEDURE:
A pre and/or post bore inspection may be needed.
All residential and commercial sewer lines must be
Drilling near or around Crossbore- gas line installed located prior to beginning work.
existing sewer lines through a sewer line
Notify occupants about the gas line and ask them to call
if they start having problems with their sewer lines.
Ensure all guarding is in place.
Set up drill to minimize amount of pipe exposed
outside of the entry pit.
Drilling Moving or rotating parts
Set up a barrier around the front of the machine.
Keep bystanders away from machine and rotating parts
while drilling.
All hands and clothing need to be away from the pipe
Manually and moving parts before any movement is engaged
Moving or rotating parts
loading/unloading drill after the pipe has been set.
pipe
Follow proper procedures in the operator's manual.
Be sure that all parts are stopped, not moving before
loading pipe, and pipe guide is in place.
Electric strike, moving parts,
Using add-a-pipe Workers should not manually load pipe while drilling
ejected pipe
is in operation.
Once the pipe is placed in the loader, workers should
step back at least 10 feet.
Stop rotation when the drill head surfaces.
Use lockout/tagout process, such as DrillLok or tracker
control, to lock out the drill from the exit pit before
Rotating or moving parts breaking joints, changing tools and connecting
product.
Breaking joints and
changing tools Do not enter any pit until the rotation and thrust is
disabled and verified.
Always use the appropriate breakout devices such as
quick wrenches, hydratongs or EZ Connect. Never use
Struck by pipe wrench pipe wrenches, machine power, backhoes, etc. to
loosen or tighten downhole tools.
Be sure all pins and keepers are installed in the box
Crushing weight while prior to lifting.
changing pipe box
Have proper lifting device and keep pipe box evenly
Changing pipe boxes
distributed.
Check surroundings for any overhead power lines and
Arcing or contacting maintain required OSHA distance.
overhead electric lines
Stay away from any product being installed.
Swivel kinks causing Inspect swivel prior to use.
Pulling back product
product to whip
Pull reamer up to the borehole before rotating.
Always complete your own Job Safety Analysis based on the job and jobsite. You should always
read and understand the operator’s manual before operating any equipment.
For additional information, please e-mail safety@ditchwitch.com or visit ditchwitch.com/safe.
JOB SAFETY
ANALYSIS
Ditch Witch® Horizontal Directional Drill
TASK: POTENTIAL HAZARD: RECOMMENDED ACTION/PROCEDURE:
Always complete your own Job Safety Analysis based on the job and jobsite. You should always
read and understand the operator’s manual before operating any equipment.
For additional information, please e-mail safety@ditchwitch.com or visit ditchwitch.com/safe.
