Star Picket Driver Operation

The Star Picket Driver Operation SOP (SOP-LND-007) outlines essential safety measures for utilizing star picket drivers, focusing on the prevention of common workplace hazards such as utility strikes, HAVS, and crush injuries. This document is vital for construction and excavation teams to ensure compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, promoting a safe working environment. By adhering to these guidelines, workers can minimize risks and enhance operational efficiency.

• Strike of underground utility (gas, electricity, water, telecommunications) → fatality, fire, explosion
• Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) from prolonged manual or petrol driver use → permanent vascular and nerve damage
• Recoil and back injury from manual sleeve driver lifting and dropping → musculoskeletal injury
• Post-tip strike to face, hands, or eyes when the picket bends or skips → laceration or eye injury
• Crush injury between the hydraulic driver hammer and the picket or carrier → severe injury
• Impact noise exceeding 130 dB(C) at peak → hearing damage
• Falling pickets in storage or transport → struck-by injury
• Slip, trip, or fall on uneven ground while operating

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and applicable state/territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth) — Part 3.1 Plant; Part 4.2 Hazardous Manual Tasks; Part 6.3 Excavation Work
• AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective helmets
• AS/NZS 1270 — Acoustics — Hearing protectors
• AS/NZS 1337 — Personal eye protection
• AS 5488 — Classification of Subsurface Utility Information (SUI)
• Before You Dig Australia (BYDA / 1100) — Industry guidance for safe excavation
• Safe Work Australia — Code of Practice: Excavation Work
• Safe Work Australia — Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Star Picket Driver Pre-Start Checklist (associated document)