Product Overview

This Asphalt Paver Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a site-ready safety document designed to identify hazards, assess risks and define controls when working with asphalt paving plant and hot bituminous materials. It is a comprehensive, task-specific SWMS that covers multiple aspects of asphalt paving operations to support WHS compliance and safe management of High Risk Construction Work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Adhering and finishing mastic asphalt, including handling hot product and managing burn and fume exposure risks
• Safe set-up, operation and shutdown of asphalt paving machines in live construction environments
• Bitumen laying processes, including temperature control, segregation prevention and safe work around hot surfaces
• Use of bitumen sprayers, including loading, pressurising, spraying operations and managing overspray and ignition sources
• Management of hot asphalt trucks, including loading, tipping, traffic interfaces and exclusion zones
• Operating asphalt machines and plant, including guards, emergency stops and safe work around moving parts
• Operating pavers in confined or tight work zones, including spotter use, reversing procedures and visibility controls
• Selection, inspection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for heat, noise, fumes and manual handling risks
• Control of airborne contaminants, fumes and dust generated during asphalt and bitumen application
• Traffic management and separation of plant, trucks and pedestrians within the paving work area
• Manual handling of tools, screeds, hoses and ancillary equipment to minimise sprains and strains
• Emergency response for burns, fires, spills and plant malfunctions associated with asphalt paving operations

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for asphalt paving contractors, road and civil construction crews, bitumen spraying operators, hot mix supply companies, and site supervisors managing asphalt and bitumen works on Australian worksites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Construction Work – guidance on planning and managing risks associated with construction and roadwork activities
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace – requirements for safe use of asphalt pavers, trucks and associated machinery
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – controls for high noise levels from paving machines and trucks
• Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – ventilation, amenities and heat stress controls for outdoor hot asphalt work
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Chemicals – handling, storage and use of bitumen, cutback products and associated chemicals
• AS 1742 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices – guidance for temporary traffic management around roadwork and paving sites
• AS/NZS 1715 & AS/NZS 1716 – selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment where fumes or vapours may be present
• AS/NZS 2161 – selection and use of protective gloves for handling hot materials and equipment
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017