Load Restraint Heavy Machinery and Oversized Loads SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers the restraint and transport of heavy machinery and oversized loads from planning and loading through to transit inspections, unloading and sign-off. It supports work planning and risk management for machinery movement, ramps, trailer access, restraint systems, load configuration and public exposure.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the transport task and inspect the vehicle and restraints
• Establish a loading exclusion zone
• Prepare machinery and deploy loading ramps
• Load machinery onto the trailer and manage trailer-edge hazards
• Position dunnage and chocks for the load
• Apply chains and straps, then tension chain binders
• Configure oversized loads and complete departure checks
• Inspect loads during transit, unload machinery and demobilise

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses transporting heavy machinery or oversized loads.

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: apply the relevant primary duty, consultation, risk-management, plant, powered-mobile-plant, hazardous-manual-task and workplace-traffic duties in the jurisdiction where the work occurs.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (November 2024), including inspection of plant, use within design limits, suitable lifting attachments, and keeping suspended loads controlled.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace, guidance on applying the hierarchy of controls and reviewing controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace, guidance that plant risks include transport, storage, crushing, trapping, fluids under pressure and foreseeable misuse.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace, guidance on duties to manage risk and worker obligations.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks in Stevedoring, guidance on segregating people from mobile plant, stable stowage, fit-for-purpose dunnage and keeping hands clear while placing dunnage.
• National Heavy Vehicle Regulator National Load Restraint Guide, current edition applicable to the transport task.
• AS/NZS 4380 Cargo restraint systems.
• AS/NZS 2359 Powered industrial trucks, where forklifts are used.
• AS 2550 series Cranes—Safe use and AS 1418 series Cranes, hoists and winches, where lifting plant is used.
• AS/NZS 1337.1 Eye and face protection, AS/NZS 1270 Hearing protectors, AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets, AS/NZS 2161 Occupational protective gloves, AS/NZS 2210.3 Safety footwear and AS/NZS 4602.1 High-visibility safety garments.

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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