Road Construction Civil Earthworks and Grading SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, traffic controls, set-out, access construction, earthworks, grading, pavement stabilisation, curb and seal work, and demobilisation. It supports planning and risk management by identifying traffic, plant, service, excavation, dust, chemical, hot-material and site-condition hazards.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work and induct the crew
• Establish traffic controls
• Set out the road alignment
• Construct temporary access roads
• Complete plant pre-start checks
• Strip topsoil and clear the work area
• Excavate cut and fill areas
• Grade and scarify the formation and shoulders
• Stabilise road pavement
• Place and compact base materials
• Install curb and complete sealing work
• Clean up and demobilise the site

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out road construction, civil earthworks and grading 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: Construction work (November 2024) — guidance for SWMS preparation, consultation, supervision, review and high risk construction work.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — guidance for plant selection, inspection, maintenance, guarding and operator competency.
• Code of Practice: Moving plant on construction sites — guidance for vehicle management plans, pedestrian separation, exclusion zones and site-specific SWMS.
• Model Code of Practice: Excavation work — guidance for service location, excavation controls, plant operation and competent-person inspections.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing respirable crystalline silica dust exposure in construction and manufacturing of construction elements — guidance for silica-risk assessment, dust suppression, air monitoring and respiratory protection.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work.
• Traffic management for construction or maintenance work Code of Practice — guidance for roadworks traffic control and traffic management planning; confirm local road authority requirements before use.
• AS 1742.3 Manual of uniform traffic control devices — Traffic control for works on roads.
• AS 3798 Guidelines on earthworks for commercial and residential developments.
• AS 1289 Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes.
• AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices.
• AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets; AS/NZS 2210.3 Safety footwear; AS/NZS 4602.1 High visibility safety garments; AS/NZS 1270 Hearing protectors.
• AS 2397 Safe use of lasers in the building and construction industry.

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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