Product Overview

This Earthwork Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is developed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for earthmoving and ground preparation activities on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive, task-specific document that brings together multiple aspects of earthworks to support WHS compliance and safe management of High Risk Construction Work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Bulk earthworks planning, staging, and execution to minimise ground instability and plant interaction risks
• Earthworks on slopes, including assessment of ground conditions, machine positioning, and controls to prevent rollovers
• Formation of ramps and slopes with safe gradients, edge protection, and traffic management for plant and vehicles
• Grading and levelling terrain using graders, dozers, and other plant with controls for visibility, dust, and underground services
• Manual earthwork tasks such as digging, shovelling, and trimming with controls for musculoskeletal strain and hand tool safety
• Placement of soil windrows with safe separation distances, height limits, and visibility for operators and ground workers
• Placing and managing overburden stockpiles to control stability, erosion, dust, and access for plant and personnel
• Removal of rocks and oversized materials using mechanical and manual methods with exclusion zones and lifting controls
• Rock removal from site including loading, securing, and transporting materials to prevent falls of load and vehicle incidents
• Site clearance and levelling activities, including vegetation removal, debris management, and services identification
• Steep site preparation with specific controls for access, egress, plant selection, and ground support
• Stockpile material handling, including loading, unloading, segregation of materials, and prevention of engulfment hazards
• Interaction of earthmoving plant with workers and other vehicles through traffic management plans and spotter use
• Environmental controls for sediment, dust, and noise generated during earthwork operations
• Emergency response planning for ground collapse, plant incidents, and worker injury during earthworks

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for civil contractors, earthmoving and excavation companies, subdivision and road construction crews, and site supervisors overseeing earthworks and ground preparation activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Construction Work – Guidance on managing risks associated with construction and related earthwork operations
• Code of Practice: Excavation Work – Requirements for safe excavation, ground stability, and working near underground services
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace – Controls for the safe use of earthmoving machinery and mobile plant
• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Framework for hazard identification, risk assessment, and control implementation
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – Controls for noise exposure from earthmoving plant
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Guidance on reducing musculoskeletal risks from manual earthworks
• AS 2159 Piling – Design and Installation – Referenced where earthworks interface with piling and ground support activities
• AS 3798 Guidelines on Earthworks for Commercial and Residential Developments – Guidance on earthworks quality, compaction, and site preparation
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017