Drill Rigs & Foundation Drills

Drill rigs bore deep holes for foundations, piles, wells and soil sampling. They carry tall masts, heavy rotating tools and a lot of torque. Most injuries come from rotating parts, tip-overs and contact with utilities.

• Foundation Crews
• Geotechnical
• Equipment Operators

Main hazards

• Rotating augers, kelly bars and drill rods, which can pull in hands, hair or clothing in a moment.
• Overturning: soft ground, a poorly built work platform, or a raised mast on a slope.
• Overhead power lines that a mast can reach. See Overhead Power Lines.
• Underground utilities. Always call 811 and verify. See Call 811.
• Falling tools and drill string, hydraulic hoses under pressure, and noise.
• Open holes and spoil piles near the drilled shaft.

Planning the job

• Locate all utilities and mark them; check for overhead lines and keep the mast well away
• Build a stable working platform of compacted fill, mats or crane mats rated for the rig's weight
• Check ground slope and soft areas; follow the maker's limits for operating on grades
• Set up an exclusion zone around the rotating tool and swing area, with only authorized workers inside
• Plan how spoil will be removed and where holes will be covered or fenced

Safe operation

• Use only trained operators and follow the operator's manual and load charts.
• Do not touch, clean or sample from a rotating auger by hand. Stop the rotation and lock out before clearing material. Use long-handled tools.
• Wear fitted clothing, no loose gloves or jewelry, and tie hair back near rotating tools.
• Use emergency stops that are within reach, and test them at the start of each shift.
• Lower the mast before moving the rig. Keep outriggers or tracks properly set.
• Use hand signals or radios between the operator and the ground crew.
• Cover or barricade open holes at once, and mark them clearly.

• Do not move the rig with the mast raised, except as the maker permits.
• Do not stand between the rig and a fixed object or trench edge.
• Do not pull tools with the rig in a way that overloads the mast.

Last updated: October 8, 2026