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What are the Best Practices for Operating Large Diameter Augers?
Wielding the power of large diameter augers (LDAs) requires skill and careful planning. Understanding best practices ensures efficient, safe and compliant operation across diverse sites like quarries, surface mines and foundation drilling.
Tailoring Your Approach: Site-Specific Considerations
Quarries
Constraints: Uneven terrain, potential blasting debris and varying rock hardness necessitate a robust and adaptable LDA.
Requirements: Precise hole diameter and depth are crucial for controlled blasting operations.
Best Practices: Regularly inspect the auger head and teeth for wear and tear, particularly after encountering hard rock. Utilise drillers with experience in blasting zones and ensure proper signage and exclusion zones around the drill site.
Surface Mines
Constraints: Loose, unconsolidated materials and potential presence of groundwater can create challenges.
Requirements: LDAs with continuous flight augers are ideal for efficient removal of spoil (excavated material).
Best Practices: Monitor ground stability closely. Implement water management strategies if encountering groundwater. Ensure proper dust suppression techniques are in place, especially when working with dry materials.
Foundation Piers
Constraints: Urban environments often have limited space and strict noise regulations.
Requirements: Compact and low-noise LDAs are essential. Precise hole location and verticality are critical.
Best Practices: Utilise utility locating services before drilling to avoid underground infrastructure. Employ noise suppression attachments on the LDA if operating in noise-sensitive areas. Ensure accurate hole positioning with the aid of surveying equipment.
Safety First: Mitigating Potential Hazards
Operating LDAs comes with inherent risks, but proactive measures significantly minimise them:
Ground Collapse: Conduct thorough site assessments to identify potential hazards and implement shoring or ground stabilisation techniques if necessary.
Falling Objects: Maintain a safe working distance around the drill site and ensure proper signage and exclusion zones.
Pinched Fingers or Crushing Injuries: Always follow lockout/tagout procedures when servicing or changing auger bits. Ensure all guards and safety devices are functional.
Choosing the Right Tool for the Job
Optimising LDA performance starts with selecting the right equipment for the task:
Auger Head Type: Match the auger head to the soil/rock conditions – open hole augers for soft soils, continuous flight augers for loose materials and core barrels for rock core sampling.
Power and Torque: Select an LDA with sufficient power and torque to handle the anticipated drilling depth and ground conditions.
Environmental Considerations: Choose LDAs equipped with noise suppression and dust control systems if working in urban areas or environmentally sensitive locations.
The Australian Advantage
Australia’s drilling and construction industry thrives on innovation and safety. By adhering to these best practices and regulations outlined by Safe Work Australia, LDA operators can ensure their projects are completed efficiently, safely and compliant with local environmental regulations. With the right approach, LDAs will continue to be a cornerstone of Australian construction for years to come.