Post Hole Auger SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers post-hole auger work from planning and service location through to drilling, post installation, clean-up and handover. It supports planning and risk management for rotating parts, kickback, underground services, dust, fuel and open holes.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review the scope, hole locations and work conditions
• Locate underground services before drilling
• Establish a controlled work area
• Inspect the auger, leads and associated equipment
• Fuel, start and position the auger safely
• Drill post holes and manage kickback, dust and flying material
• Manage auger jams and stored energy
• Inspect completed holes and protect open holes
• Install posts or supports, then clean up and demobilise

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out post-hole auger 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 manage risks, provide safe plant, maintain plant, provide information/training/supervision, consult workers, and manage excavation and underground essential-service risks.
• Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of plant in the workplace (November 2024), which applies the hierarchy of controls and requires plant to be fit for purpose, maintained and operated safely.
• Model Code of Practice: Excavation work (2020), including competent operation of plant, plant guarding, ground preparation, maintenance, traffic management and operator competence for excavation activities.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction work.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
• Electrical safety laws, service-owner requirements and applicable electrical safety guidance for work near overhead or underground electric lines; underground essential services include electricity, gas, water, sewerage, telecommunications, chemicals, fuel and refrigerant lines.
• AS/NZS 2210.3 Personal protective equipment—Safety footwear.
• AS/NZS 1270 Acoustics—Hearing protectors.
• AS/NZS 1337.1 Personal eye-protection.
• AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment.
• AS 1742.3 Manual of uniform traffic control devices—Traffic control for works on roads, where traffic controls are required.
• AS 2436 Guide to noise control on construction, maintenance and demolition sites.

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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