Excavation and Trenching SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers excavation and trenching work from planning and service location through to excavation, ground support, work in trenches, backfilling and reinstatement. It supports the identification and management of risks associated with ground collapse, services, plant, falls, loads, water and site access.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan excavation work, including ground conditions, nearby structures, services and emergency response.
• Establish the site and exclusion zones to manage access, falls, plant and public exposure.
• Locate and prove underground services before excavation.
• Inspect plant and equipment for mechanical, hydraulic, movement and lifting risks.
• Position plant and spoil to manage edges, roll-over, reversing and material fall risks.
• Excavate progressively while managing trench stability, buckets, spoil and service strikes.
• Install ground support and manage shields, shoring components, crush zones and unsupported entry.
• Access and work in the trench while managing collapse, atmosphere, falls and falling objects.
• Lay services and pipework while managing loads, lifting gear, pinch points and bedding stability.
• Monitor conditions and dewater where required, including water, ground, electrical and heat risks.
• Backfill and compact, then reinstate, secure and demobilise the area.

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out excavation and trenching activities.

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 WHS Regulations, Part 6.3 excavation work (including regulations 304–306) are guidance only and must be checked against the legislation in force in the relevant jurisdiction; they address obtaining underground essential-services information, managing excavation risks and securing/supporting trenches 1.5 m or deeper.
• Model Code of Practice: Excavation Work (2020), as adopted or otherwise applicable in the relevant jurisdiction; guidance includes shoring, shielding, benching or battering where trench collapse risk exists.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work; guidance on essential services, access control and retaining current underground-services information.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks, as adopted or otherwise applicable in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace, as adopted or otherwise applicable in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces, as adopted or otherwise applicable in the relevant jurisdiction; use guardrails, barriers or structural covers where there is a fall risk into a trench.
• AS 4744.1, Steel shoring and trench lining equipment; AS 2550 series, Cranes, hoists and winches—Safe use; AS 1742.3, Manual of uniform traffic control devices—Traffic control for works on roads; AS/NZS 2865, Confined spaces; AS/NZS 3012, Electrical installations—Construction and demolition sites; and applicable PPE standards.

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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