Product Overview

This Earthmoving Plant Maintenance And Service SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards and implement controls for the inspection, servicing and repair of earthmoving plant and equipment. It provides a comprehensive framework for managing risks across multiple aspects of earthmoving machinery maintenance to support WHS compliance and safer operation of earthmoving equipment on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe inspection, servicing and maintenance of earthmoving equipment such as excavators, loaders, dozers and graders
• Setting up and securing earthmoving plant in the workshop or on site prior to maintenance activities
• Lock-out/tag-out and isolation of earthmoving plant energy sources, including hydraulics, electrics and fuel systems
• Use of earthmoving machinery during functional testing following maintenance or repair
• Safe access to and egress from machines, including use of steps, handrails and designated access points
• Selection, inspection and use of hand tools, power tools and lifting equipment in the earthmoving plant workshop
• Management of hydraulic systems, high-pressure lines and stored energy during inspection and repair
• Control of crush, pinch and entanglement hazards around booms, buckets, tracks and attachments
• Handling, storage and disposal of oils, fuels, coolants, lubricants and other hazardous substances
• Use of jacks, stands, lifting devices and support systems when working under or around raised plant
• Traffic management and segregation of pedestrians from mobile earthmoving plant in and around the workshop
• Noise, dust and vibration risk management during testing, idling and operation of earthmoving machinery
• Emergency procedures for plant failures, fluid injection injuries, fires, spills and uncontrolled movement

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for earthmoving contractors, civil construction companies, plant hire businesses, maintenance workshops, mechanics, fitters and site supervisors responsible for servicing and maintaining earthmoving machinery.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Managing the risks of plant in the workplace – Guidance on controlling risks associated with plant operation, inspection, maintenance and repair.
• Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace – Requirements for safe handling, storage and disposal of fuels, oils, coolants and other chemicals.
• Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks – Risk management principles applied to earthmoving plant maintenance activities.
• Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work – Controls for noise exposure from operating and testing earthmoving machinery.
• AS 2550 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use (relevant parts) – Guidance for safe use of lifting equipment and accessories used in plant maintenance.
• AS/NZS 4024 Safety of machinery (relevant parts) – Principles for guarding, emergency stops and safe machinery design applied to earthmoving plant.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017