Deep Foundation Works SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, setting out, drilling and completing deep foundation works. It supports work planning and risk management across site setup, plant operation, pile construction, testing and close-out.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review the design and plan the work sequence
• Assess site conditions and establish exclusion zones
• Verify services and set out pile locations
• Position and inspect the drilling rig
• Drill bores and manage spoil
• Install casing and drilling slurry
• Handle spoil and coordinate spoil removal
• Lift and position reinforcement cages
• Place concrete using tremie methods
• Extract casing and finish piles
• Test and trim pile heads
• Respond to changes and emergencies, then clean up and demobilise

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out deep foundation works.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to manage risks, consult workers, provide safe plant and systems of work, manage construction work, high risk construction work, excavation, plant, hazardous chemicals, airborne contaminants and falls.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work (guidance only; confirm adoption and legal status in the relevant jurisdiction). Foundations and earthworks are structures, and high risk construction work requires a SWMS under the model framework.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (guidance only; confirm jurisdictional status).
• Model Code of Practice: Excavation Work / applicable jurisdictional excavation code (guidance only; use competent supervision, engineered support where required, inspections after weather or ground change, and public exclusion).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica in the Workplace (guidance only; confirm jurisdictional status). Processing crystalline silica may include drilling, handling spoil and cleaning activities, and may require a silica risk control plan under applicable requirements.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace and Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals (guidance only; confirm jurisdictional status).
• AS 2159:2009 Piling—Design and installation; AS 1418 series Cranes, hoists and winches; AS 2550 series Cranes—Safe use; AS 4991 Lifting devices; AS 3775 Chain slings for lifting purposes; AS 4744.1 Temporary fencing and barriers where applicable; AS 1319 Safety signs for the occupational environment; AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1270 Hearing protectors; AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets; AS/NZS 2210.3 Safety footwear; AS/NZS 4602.1 High visibility safety garments.
• Use only current editions and project specifications, and verify any jurisdiction-specific legal requirements before issue.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections