Earthwork Operations SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers earthwork operations including site preparation, cut and fill, grading, stockpiles, haulage and demobilisation. It supports planning and management of plant, services, ground, traffic, dust and weather-related risks.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan earthworks and identify site risks
• Set up site access, exclusion and traffic controls
• Conduct plant pre-start checks
• Clear and strip the work site
• Form ramps and slopes
• Carry out bulk cut and fill work
• Grade and level terrain
• Perform manual earthwork tasks
• Remove rocks and other obstructions
• Place and manage windrows and stockpiles
• Manage haulage and traffic movements
• Control dust and changing weather conditions

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out earthwork operations.

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.
• Model Code of Practice: Excavation Work — guidance for planning, ground conditions, services, mobile plant, traffic separation and competent operation.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace — guidance for hazard identification, hierarchy of controls, maintenance and review of plant controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work — guidance for SWMS preparation and high risk construction work.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace.
• AS 3798 Guidelines on earthworks for commercial and residential developments.
• AS 1726 Geotechnical site investigations.
• AS 4744.1 Steel shoring and trench lining — Design.
• AS/NZS 4602.1 High visibility safety garments.
• AS/NZS 1270 Acoustics — Hearing protectors.
• AS/NZS 2210.3 Personal protective equipment — Safety footwear.
• AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets.
• AS 2397 Safe use of lasers in the building and construction industry.
• Applicable road authority traffic-control requirements and AS 1742 series traffic-control device guidance.

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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