Product Overview

This Bogged Vehicle Recovery Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify, assess, and control the hazards associated with safely recovering stuck or immobilised vehicles on Australian worksites, helping your team maintain strong WHS compliance. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of Bogged Vehicle Recovery SWMS, from planning and site assessment through to safe use of recovery equipment and post-recovery inspections.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and preparation for vehicle recovery operations, including communication protocols and emergency procedures
• Assessment of ground conditions, terrain, slopes, and environmental factors before attempting recovery
• Selection and inspection of recovery vehicles, including suitability of 4WDs, trucks, and plant for the task
• Safe use of recovery straps, snatch straps, chains, and shackles with appropriate load ratings
• Operation of winches (manual and powered) including positioning, load calculation, and exclusion zones
• Establishing safe work areas, exclusion zones, and traffic management around the recovery site
• Manual handling risk controls when positioning recovery gear, digging, or placing traction aids
• Use of traction aids, jacks, boards, and other devices to stabilise and free bogged vehicles
• Controls for working near unstable ground, soft shoulders, embankments, and waterlogged areas
• Managing interaction between vehicles, plant, and pedestrians during recovery activities
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including high-visibility clothing, gloves, eye protection, and safety footwear
• Environmental protection measures to minimise ground disturbance, spills, and damage to surrounding areas
• Post-recovery inspection of vehicles, equipment, and site conditions before returning to normal operations

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for civil construction crews, mining and quarry operations, transport and logistics operators, agricultural and forestry workers, emergency response teams, and site supervisors responsible for vehicle recovery tasks.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on controlling risks associated with vehicles and recovery equipment used as plant.
• Safe Work Australia – Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Requirements for managing manual handling risks when handling recovery gear and working around bogged vehicles.
• Safe Work Australia – Traffic Management in Workplaces (guidance material): Principles for managing vehicle and mobile plant movements during recovery operations.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Guidance on safe access, egress, and environmental conditions at recovery sites.
• AS/NZS 4024 Safety of machinery (series): General principles relevant to the safe use of powered winches and mechanical recovery equipment.
• AS/NZS 1210 Pressure equipment – Safety devices: Referenced where applicable to hydraulic and mechanical systems associated with recovery plant.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017