The Top 10 Health and Safety Risks in the Surface Diamond Drilling Sector were identified by workers, supervisors, and employers in the surface diamond drilling industry through a risk assessment workshop facilitated by Workplace Safety North, with the support of the Canadian Diamond Drillers Association.
Over the next 10 weeks, we’ll spotlight one of the top health and safety risks identified in this assessment—helping keep our industry informed, proactive, and safe. This week, we are spotlighting identified risk #2.
#2: Struck by Chicot (Dead Tree or Limb)
Why It Matters:
Chicots—dead standing trees or limbs—pose a serious threat on drill sites, particularly in forested and remote areas. These unstable hazards can fall without warning due to wind, vibration from equipment, or manual contact. A falling chicot can cause severe injury or death, especially in areas where workers are focused on drilling operations and may not notice the danger until it’s too late.
Struck-by incidents involving chicots are not only a risk during drilling, but also during site preparation, equipment movement, and shift changes.
What Can Be Done:
Mitigating the risk of being struck by a chicot requires vigilance and proactive site management:
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Pre-Work Assessments: Conduct thorough site inspections before mobilizing equipment or starting work. Identify and mark any dead trees, limbs, or leaning hazards.
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Chicot Removal: Where safe to do so, remove dead trees and limbs before beginning operations. Use qualified personnel to fall and clear hazardous timber.
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Maintain a Safety Perimeter: Establish and communicate exclusion zones where chicots cannot be safely removed. Limit worker exposure in these areas as much as possible.
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Ongoing Monitoring: Assign a crew member to regularly monitor and reassess site conditions, especially after storms or heavy winds.
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Training: Ensure workers are trained to recognize potential chicot hazards and understand the proper protocols for dealing with them.
About Workplace Safety North (WSN):
WSN is one of four sector-based health and safety associations in Ontario. Headquartered in northern Ontario, it provides province-wide, Ministry-approved training and services for the mining and forest products industries. As a trusted source for health and safety expertise, WSN supports businesses with training, consulting, and expert guidance.
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