Product Overview

This Landscaping Activities SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, implement controls, and support WHS compliance for landscaping work on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document covering multiple aspects of landscaping activities, from site preparation and machinery use to manual handling and environmental controls.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Site assessment, planning, and establishment of safe work zones for landscaping operations
• Use of powered hand tools such as brushcutters, hedge trimmers, blowers, and chainsaws in landscaped areas
• Operation of lawn mowers and ride-on mowers, including working on slopes and near obstacles
• Use of compact earthmoving equipment (e.g. mini loaders, skid steers, dingo machines) for soil and material handling
• Excavation and trenching for garden beds, irrigation systems, and landscape structures
• Manual handling of pavers, sleepers, rocks, plants, and bulk landscaping materials to minimise musculoskeletal injuries
• Installation of retaining walls, edging, garden structures, and landscape fixtures
• Safe handling, mixing, and application of fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, and soil conditioners
• Tree and shrub planting, pruning, and removal, including work near overhead services
• Irrigation and drainage installation, including working in damp or slippery ground conditions
• Traffic and pedestrian management when working near roads, driveways, or public access areas
• Noise, dust, and vibration control measures to protect workers, neighbours, and the environment
• Weather-related risk management, including heat stress, UV exposure, rain, and storm conditions
• Housekeeping, waste management, and site reinstatement to maintain a clean and safe work area

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for landscapers, grounds maintenance crews, gardening contractors, civil and commercial landscaping companies, and site supervisors overseeing landscaping activities on Australian construction and maintenance sites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Managing the Risk of Falls in Housing Construction Code of Practice: Guidance for working on slopes, embankments, and elevated landscape areas
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Controls for powered equipment and machinery noise during landscaping
• Hazardous Chemicals (including Pesticides and Herbicides) Codes of Practice: Safe storage, handling, and use of chemical products in landscaping
• Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Risk controls for lifting, carrying, and repetitive tasks associated with landscaping materials
• Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Safe use of mowers, compact earthmoving equipment, and powered tools
• First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for first aid provisions on landscaping worksites
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017