DN-12 Moling

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Operative being assessed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Soil displacement (Moling)

• Actions on site (cradle or hand launch):

• - Surveys the area where the mole is to be used and identifies potential obstructions which includes street furniture, manholes, underground plant, physical structures etc.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Question - Why is it necessary to expose any potential obstruction identified in the survey?

• Answer - To ensure the mole passes the obstruction without causing any damage

• - Excavates and exposes any potential obstruction identified in the survey that crosses the route of the bore

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Question - Why is it necessary to launch the mole from that particular excavation?

• Answer - Least congested thus not moling towards obstructions

• Question - In which direction should the mole be launched if working on an incline?

• Answer - Up-hill

• - Excavates the launch pit and retrieval pits to a suitable depth and size giving consideration to whether trench support and permits to work are required

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Ensures there is a minimum distance of 250mm clearance from other utilities over a bore length of 8m

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Correctly assembles the equipment ensuring that the piston can be heard to slide to the rear of the mole

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Correctly sets the oil feed screw to give a fine mist

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Lays the mole and hose between the launch and retrieval pits and marks the air hose to indicate the expected distance of travel of the mole

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Determines whether to use a launch cradle (preferred method) or hand launch

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Launches using a cradle

• Checks the floor of the launch pit for underground plant

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Question - Name four alternative options if traces of underground plant have been identified below the floor of the launch pit?

• Answer - a) Use a launch cradle with horizontal supports b) Launch from a suitable alternative excavation
  c) Consider a different pipe laying technique c) Hand launch the mole
  

• Positions the cradle in the launch pit approx. 150mm from the front face of the pit

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Secures the cradle in position using the security spikes or horizontal supports

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The sighting rod is placed in the base of the retrieval pit

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Measures a distance of 1.6m and marks the sighting rod which takes into account the depth of the <br>cradle (1m if the scope is kept in the closed position)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Places the nose of the mole in the cradle and secures into position

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Places the scope on the soil displacement hammer and adjusts the position so that the cross hairs in <br>the scope line up with the mark on the sighting rod

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Exits the excavation and ensures a clear view of the mole and launch cradle is possible

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Switches on the air so that the piston just starts to oscillate

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Turns off the air supply once the mole has entered approx. 200mm into the ground and checks the line <br>of sight to ensure the direction has not changed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Repeats the above step until the mole is 2/3rds of its length into the bore

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Gently increases the air feed to what is regarded as the safest maximum speed of 0.5m/min

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Continually observes the progress of the mole

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensures that a colleague is stood by the retrieval pit and observes ground movement once the bore <br>operation is near completion as indicated by the mark on the air hose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensures that the colleague indicates clearly once the mole starts to enter the retrieval pit and then <br>reduces the air feed to a gentle hammer action

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cuts the air supply totally once the mole has fully entered the retrieval pit

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Depressurises the system and isolates the power source before any hose separation takes place

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Determines the most suitable method for pipe installation and carries out the appropriate method

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Launches by hand

• Has an approval from an operational manager been given and this has been recorded on the risk <br>assessment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• laces the nose of the mole against the wall of the launch pit at the desired depth and in the desired <br>direction

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Switches on the air supply so that the piston just starts to oscillate with the support of a colleague

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Turns off the air supply once the mole enters approx. 200mm into the ground and checks the line of <br>sight to ensure the direction has not changed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Repeats the above step until the mole is 2/3rds of its length into the bore

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Exits the excavation and ensures a clear view of the mole is possible

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Gently increases the air feed to what is regarded as the safest maximum speed of 0.5m/min

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Continually observes the progress of the mole

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensures that a colleague is stood by the retrieval pit and observes ground movement once the bore <br>operation is near completion as indicated by the mark on the air hose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensures that the colleague indicates clearly once the mole starts to enter the retrieval pit and then <br>reduces the air feed to a gentle hammer action

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cuts the air supply totally once the mole has fully entered the retrieval pit

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Depressurises the system and isolates the power source before any hose separation takes place

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Determines the most suitable method for pipe installation and carries out the appropriate method

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Sign off

• Assessors name

• Pass or refer for additional training

  Pass

  Fail

  N/A