Product Overview

This Excavation and Trenching Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for all stages of excavation and trenching work on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document that supports WHS compliance and effective management of High Risk Construction Work involving ground disturbance and trench excavations.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and preparation of excavation and trenching works, including site assessment and approval processes
• Identification and location of underground services (dial before you dig, service plans, potholing and verification)
• Selection and use of appropriate excavation plant and equipment, such as excavators, backhoes and skid steers
• Establishment of exclusion zones, barricades, signage and traffic management around open excavations
• Control of ground instability, including benching, battering, shoring and shielding of trenches
• Safe entry to and exit from excavations, including use of ladders, access ways and designated entry points
• Prevention of trench collapse through soil assessment, depth controls and regular inspection regimes
• Management of water ingress, dewatering, erosion and adverse weather impacts on excavations
• Protection of workers from falling into excavations and prevention of objects or plant falling into trenches
• Control of hazardous atmospheres in deeper or confined excavations, including air monitoring where required
• Manual handling risk controls for shoring components, trench shields, pipes and materials in and around trenches
• Interaction of mobile plant and pedestrians around excavation zones, including spotters and communication protocols
• Environmental controls such as sediment control, spoil management and protection of adjacent structures and services
• Emergency response planning for trench collapse, ground failure, worker rescue and first aid arrangements

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for civil contractors, plumbers, electricians, drainers, landscapers, utility installers, and site supervisors involved in excavation and trenching works on construction and infrastructure projects.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Excavation Work Code of Practice: Guidance on managing risks associated with excavation work, including trenches and ground support systems
• Managing the Risk of Falls in Housing Construction Code of Practice: Relevant where there is a risk of persons falling into excavations or trenches
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Applicable to the use of excavation plant and powered equipment
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Controls for manual handling of shoring, trench boxes, pipes and associated materials
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Safe use of excavators, loaders and other plant used for trenching
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for hazard identification, risk assessment and control for excavation activities
• Safe Work Australia – Guide to Managing the Risk of Fatigue at Work: Relevant to extended excavation operations and plant operation
• AS 2601 Demolition of Structures: Referenced where excavation interacts with or undermines existing structures
• AS/NZS 4801 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems: Referenced for systematic WHS management practices
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017