Landscaping Activities SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers landscaping activities from pre-start planning and site access through ground preparation, installation, planting and clean-up. It supports work planning and risk management for vehicles, plant, services, materials, tools, dust, chemicals and weather exposure.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work sequence and pre-start arrangements
• Establish site access and manage public exposure
• Receive, unload and store materials and plant
• Inspect plant, tools and equipment before use
• Locate underground services before ground work
• Excavate, grade and prepare ground
• Install drainage and irrigation components
• Construct landscape features using supplied materials
• Cut paving and masonry materials
• Plant and place softscape materials
• Apply chemicals and fertiliser
• Operate cutting equipment and complete site clean-up

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out landscaping 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 Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks (Safe Work Australia, November 2024) — guidance for identifying hazards, consulting workers and applying the hierarchy of controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction work (Safe Work Australia, November 2024) — guidance for construction work, essential services, outdoor heat/UV exposure, work surfaces and access.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of plant in the workplace — guidance for inspection, safe operation, separation of people and powered mobile plant, and maintenance.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks — guidance for eliminating or minimising musculoskeletal risks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace — guidance for SDS, registers, labelling, storage and exposure controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — guidance where workers may fall from one level to another.
• Model Codes of Practice are guidance material and should be checked against the legislation, regulations and approved codes in force in the jurisdiction where the work is undertaken.
• Relevant technical guidance: AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations—Construction and demolition sites; AS/NZS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment; AS 1319 Safety signs for the occupational environment; AS 1742.3 Traffic control devices for works on roads; AS/NZS 1337.1 Eye and face protection; AS/NZS 1270 Hearing protectors; AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 2210.3 Safety footwear; AS 1801 Occupational protective helmets; AS/NZS 4602.1 High-visibility safety garments; AS 4454 Composts, soil conditioners and mulches.

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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