Product Overview

This Quarry Excavation and Screen Plant Operations SWMS is a site-specific safety management document designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for quarrying and mineral processing activities, supporting strong WHS compliance. It provides comprehensive coverage of quarry excavation, screening, and processing operations, integrating multiple tasks into one clear, practical SWMS for High Risk Construction Work in Australian quarries.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Quarry excavation planning, benching, and safe operation of earthmoving plant in active pits
• Management of face stability, overburden removal, and exclusion zones around working faces
• Operation, setup, and shutdown of Scorpion screen plant and associated screening equipment
• Safe loading, feeding, and discharge of materials to and from screen plant conveyors and hoppers
• Monitoring and control of the froth floatation process, including chemical dosing and agitation systems
• Safe handling, storage, and use of reagents and process chemicals used in froth floatation
• Monitoring sand separation processes, including cyclones, classifiers, and dewatering equipment
• Process control and inspection of iron sulfide removal, including management of dusts and residues
• Management of tailings dam works, including access control, stability monitoring, and emergency response
• Environmental controls for tailings, process water, and sediment to prevent uncontrolled releases
• Isolation, lockout/tagout, and guarding of crushers, screens, conveyors, and rotating plant
• Traffic management for haul trucks, loaders, light vehicles, and mobile plant within the quarry
• Dust, noise, and vibration control measures to protect workers and neighbouring properties
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) selection, issue, and use for quarry and processing personnel
• Housekeeping, access, and safe work area maintenance around pits, processing plant, and tailings dams

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for quarry operators, mobile plant and processing plant crews, mining and civil contractors, and site supervisors managing excavation, screening, and tailings operations in Australian quarries.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on controlling risks associated with fixed and mobile plant, including crushers, screens, and conveyors
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Requirements for managing noise exposure from quarrying and screening equipment
• Hazardous Chemicals (Safe Work Australia) Code of Practice: Controls for storage, handling, and use of reagents and process chemicals in froth floatation and processing
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Safe access, platforms, and work at heights around screen plants and processing structures
• Confined Spaces Code of Practice: Guidance where tanks, sumps, or enclosed process vessels may be classified as confined spaces
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for safe access, amenities, and emergency arrangements on quarry sites
• Safe Work Australia – Guide to Managing Risks in Surface and Underground Mines: Industry guidance relevant to surface quarry excavation and associated operations