Landscape Construction and Hardscaping SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers site setup, material delivery, construction, installation, cleaning and handover for landscape construction and hardscaping. It supports work planning and risk management by addressing plant, excavation, materials, dust, access, outdoor features and site clean-up.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Set up the site and complete induction
• Deliver materials and plant
• Carry out demolition and garden renovation
• Set out and excavate
• Install drainage and geofabric
• Build retaining walls
• Lay paving and hardscape
• Install steps and fencing
• Construct ponds and water features
• Prepare soil, install synthetic turf, shades and sports fixtures
• Install outdoor kitchens and maintain patios or fountains
• Clean up and hand over the site

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out landscape construction and hardscaping 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, including duties to identify hazards, apply the hierarchy of controls, maintain and review controls, consult workers, and prepare a SWMS for applicable high risk construction work.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction work (November 2024) — guidance for construction planning, heat exposure, essential services and SWMS requirements; model Codes are guidance unless adopted in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Model Code of Practice: Excavation work — guidance for excavation planning, ground stability, service identification, battering, benching and shoring.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of plant in the workplace — guidance for plant selection, maintenance, traffic separation, lifting and electrical-line risks.
• Moving plant on construction sites Code of Practice — guidance for mobile-plant traffic management, service locating, SDS access and airborne-contaminant controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing respirable crystalline silica in the workplace — guidance for identifying silica-containing materials, controlling processing and prohibiting uncontrolled dry processing.
• Model Codes of Practice: Managing risks of falls at workplaces; Managing electrical risks in the workplace; Managing hazardous manual tasks; Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work; Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace; Confined spaces; and First aid in the workplace, as adopted or applied in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Guidance standards: AS/NZS 2210.3 safety footwear; AS/NZS 1270 hearing protectors; AS/NZS 1337.1 eye and face protection; AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 respiratory protection; AS/NZS 1801 industrial safety helmets; AS/NZS 3012 electrical installations—construction and demolition sites; AS/NZS 1576 scaffolding; AS 1891 industrial fall-arrest systems; AS/NZS 5532 anchor devices; AS 1418 series cranes, hoists and winches; AS 2550 series safe use of cranes; AS 4685 playground equipment where relevant; and AS 4422 playground surfacing where relevant.

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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