Product Overview

This Vehicle Testing SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify, control, and monitor risks associated with professional vehicle testing activities. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of vehicle testing operations to support robust WHS compliance and safer road-testing environments.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and conducting controlled bus crash testing, including exclusion zones and impact protection measures
• Carrying out emissions testing on vehicles using approved equipment and safe connection procedures
• Conducting safety checks at high speeds, including braking performance, lane changes, and acceleration tests
• Performing emergency steering tests in controlled environments to assess vehicle handling and driver response
• Road testing vehicles on public roads and test tracks, including pre-start inspections and route risk assessment
• Checking and validating roll stability systems, including electronic stability control and rollover mitigation features
• Stress testing suspensions over varied surfaces, bumps, and obstacles while managing vibration and noise exposure
• Testing emission levels under different load and driving conditions to meet environmental and regulatory requirements
• Selection and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for drivers, technicians, and trackside personnel
• Traffic management and segregation of vehicles, pedestrians, and observers during dynamic testing activities
• Emergency response procedures for collisions, mechanical failures, and loss of vehicle control during tests
• Safe use of diagnostic, monitoring, and data-logging equipment within and around test vehicles

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for vehicle manufacturers, automotive test facilities, bus and truck testing organisations, automotive engineers, and site supervisors overseeing controlled vehicle testing and road trials.

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 managing risks associated with vehicles and testing equipment used as plant
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying, assessing, and controlling risks during vehicle testing activities
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for safe test facilities, workshops, and trackside environments
• Safe Work Australia – First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice: Ensuring adequate first aid arrangements for high-speed and crash-testing operations
• Safe Work Australia – Traffic Management in Workplaces (Guidance Material): Principles for managing vehicle and pedestrian interaction around test tracks and road-testing areas
• AS/NZS 4024 Safety of Machinery (relevant parts): Guidance for guarding and safety systems on test rigs and associated machinery
• AS/NZS 1963 Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use (relevant parts): Guidance for safe use of electrical and electronic testing and monitoring equipment
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017