Product Overview

This Substation Construction Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a site-specific safety management document designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for all key stages of substation construction. It provides a comprehensive framework to support WHS compliance and effective risk management across civil, structural, electrical, and commissioning activities involved in substation construction.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and coordination of substation construction works, including pre-start meetings, inductions, and permit-to-work systems
• Site establishment, fencing, security, and control of unauthorised access to high-voltage work areas
• Civil earthworks, excavation, trenching, and backfilling for cable routes, foundations, and drainage
• Construction and installation of concrete foundations, equipment plinths, and substation structures
• Use of cranes, elevating work platforms (EWPs), and lifting equipment for installing transformers, switchgear, and steel structures
• Working at heights on structures, gantries, cable ladders, and platforms, including fall prevention and edge protection
• Installation of electrical switchgear, control panels, busbars, and associated low-voltage and high-voltage equipment
• Laying, pulling, and terminating HV and LV cables, including control, protection, and communication cabling
• Substation earthing system installation, bonding, and verification to manage step and touch potentials
• Testing, commissioning, and energisation activities, including lock out–tag out (LOTO) and isolation procedures
• Management of live electrical work exclusions, approach distances, and interaction with existing energised assets
• Traffic management for heavy vehicles, delivery of large equipment, and interaction with mobile plant on site
• Manual handling, use of power tools, and safe handling of oils, fuels, insulating materials, and other hazardous substances
• Emergency response planning for electric shock, fire, arc flash, environmental spills, and medical incidents
• Housekeeping, waste management, and environmental controls to minimise dust, noise, and contamination

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for electrical contractors, civil and structural contractors, high-voltage specialists, principal contractors, and site supervisors involved in the construction, upgrade, or extension of electrical substations.

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 Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on controlling risks associated with electrical work and equipment
• Construction Work Code of Practice: Requirements and controls for managing risks on construction sites, including substation builds
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Controls for working at heights on structures, platforms, and access ways
• Excavation Work Code of Practice: Risk management for trenches, pits, and underground services during civil substation works
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Controls for plant, tools, and construction activities generating high noise levels
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Guidance on reducing musculoskeletal risks from lifting, carrying, and handling materials and equipment
• AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules): Fundamental safety principles for electrical installations associated with substations
• AS 2067 Substations and High Voltage Installations Exceeding 1 kV a.c.: Requirements for the design and safety of high-voltage substations
• AS/NZS 7000 Overhead Line Design: Relevant where substation works interface with overhead line connections