BlueSafe

Excavator SWMS

This SWMS covers excavator work from reviewing site conditions and unloading through excavation, attachment changes, load handling, maintenance, refuelling and sign-off.

Activities covered include

  • Review the work scope, ground conditions and services
  • Change buckets and attachments
  • Inspect excavations and access arrangements

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Acceptance guaranteed

If your client or principal requests changes during document review, BlueSafe will help revise the document at no extra cost and support resubmission until it is accepted.

Excavator SWMS
  • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • Pre-filled Content - Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • Customisable - Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Product Overview

This SWMS covers excavator work from reviewing site conditions and unloading through excavation, attachment changes, load handling, maintenance, refuelling and sign-off. It supports work planning and risk management by addressing services, plant movement, ground stability, excavation, attachments and fuel hazards.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

  • Review the work scope, ground conditions and services
  • Unload the excavator from a float
  • Establish site access and plant-pedestrian controls
  • Locate and expose underground services
  • Complete excavator pre-start checks
  • Position the excavator for work
  • Change buckets and attachments
  • Excavate and load spoil
  • Install ground anchors where required
  • Operate breaker, cutter or mulcher attachments
  • Lift approved excavation loads
  • Inspect excavations and access arrangements

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out excavator work.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Job Step / Activity Potential Hazards
Review scope and conditions
  • Unplanned work scope
  • Unstable ground
  • Underground services
  • Overhead powerlines
  • Weather exposure
  • Unauthorised workers
Unload excavator from float
  • Excavator roll-over
  • Ramp failure
  • Crush during unloading
  • Vehicle movement
  • Pedestrian strike
  • Fall from transport deck
Establish site access controls
  • Plant-pedestrian collision
  • Rear-end swing strike
  • Reversing collision
  • Unauthorised entry
  • Vehicle interaction
  • Poor visibility
Locate and expose services
  • Electrical cable strike
  • Gas release
  • Fuel line rupture
  • Water main damage
  • Telecommunications damage
  • Explosion or electrocution
Complete plant pre-start checks
  • Mechanical failure
  • Hydraulic injection injury
  • Brake failure
  • Operator ejection
  • Falling objects
  • Fire
Position excavator for work
  • Plant roll-over
  • Edge collapse
  • Overhead line contact
  • Crush from counterweight
  • Poor ground bearing
  • Plant collision
Change bucket and attachments
  • Falling attachment
  • Quick-hitch failure
  • Crush injury
  • Hydraulic pressure release
  • Pinch points
  • Incompatible attachment
Excavate and load spoil
  • Excavation collapse
  • Bucket strike
  • Plant roll-over
  • Truck collision
  • Falling spoil
  • Dust exposure
Install ground anchors
  • Anchor failure
  • Drill entanglement
  • Stored energy release
  • Ground collapse
  • Service strike
  • Flying debris
Operate breaker cutter mulcher
  • Flying rock debris
  • Attachment failure
  • Noise exposure
  • Respirable silica dust
  • Vibration
  • Loss of machine stability
Lift approved excavation loads
  • Dropped load
  • Load swing
  • Plant overturn
  • Rigging failure
  • Crush injury
  • Overloading
Inspect excavation and access
  • Trench collapse
  • Fall into excavation
  • Atmospheric hazard
  • Water inundation
  • Plant edge loading
  • Unauthorised entry
Maintain bucket and hydraulics
  • Crush injury
  • Stored hydraulic energy
  • Sharp bucket teeth
  • Unexpected movement
  • Hot surfaces
  • Oil spill
Refuel clean up and sign off
  • Fuel fire
  • Environmental spill
  • Plant movement
  • Slips and trips
  • Residual excavation hazards
  • Unauthorised use

Need to add specific site requirements?

Use the BlueSafe Portal to tailor this SWMS with site-specific details, job steps, hazards, controls and responsibilities before work starts.

Acceptance Guaranteed: If your client or principal requests changes during document review, BlueSafe will help revise the document at no extra cost and support resubmission until it is accepted.

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 only; confirm adoption and any local variations).
  • Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (guidance only).
  • Model Code of Practice: Moving Plant on Construction Sites (guidance only).
  • Model Code of Practice: Construction Work (guidance only), including underground essential-services information and high-risk construction work requirements.
  • Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace (guidance only).
  • AS/NZS 13031:2023 Earthmoving machinery—Quick couplers—Safety; AS 5327:2022 Earth-moving machinery—Access systems; AS 1418.8 Cranes, hoists and winches—Special purpose appliances; ISO 3471 ROPS; ISO 3449 FOPS; AS/NZS 2210.3 safety footwear; AS/NZS 4602.1 high-visibility safety garments; AS/NZS 1270 hearing protectors; AS/NZS 1337.1 eye protection.
  • Model laws and model Codes are guidance and do not automatically have legal effect in every Australian jurisdiction; verify current local duties, regulations, regulator guidance, client requirements and service-owner conditions before work starts.
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

Suitable for Industries

Building and ConstructionCivil Construction and EarthworksMining and Resources

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