Product Overview

This Trucks and Heavy Vehicles – Skip Bin Lifter Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is developed to identify hazards, assess risks and implement controls for operating skip bin trucks and lifting equipment on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive, task-specific document that supports WHS compliance and safe management of High Risk Construction Work involving skip bin loading, transport and unloading.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Pre-start inspection of skip bin trucks, lifting arms, hydraulic systems and safety devices
• Selection and use of appropriate skip bins, lifting points, chains and securing mechanisms
• Safe positioning of the truck for loading and unloading in driveways, streets and construction sites
• Operation of hydraulic skip bin lifters, including raising, lowering and tilting functions
• Securing of loads and bins to prevent movement, tipping or loss of load during transport
• Traffic management around skip bin operations, including spotters, exclusion zones and reversing controls
• Manual handling risk controls when placing covers, chocking wheels and attaching chains or hooks
• Working around overhead powerlines, underground services and other site services when positioning the truck and bin
• Managing interaction with pedestrians, other vehicles and plant in busy or confined work areas
• Controls for uneven ground, slopes, soft verges and unstable surfaces when setting up for lifting
• Environmental controls for dust, debris, waste segregation and spill containment during bin use
• Emergency response procedures for equipment failure, hydraulic leaks, collisions and injuries
• Isolation, shutdown and securing of the vehicle and lifting equipment at the end of the task or shift

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for skip bin truck operators, waste and recycling contractors, construction and demolition businesses, civil contractors, and site supervisors managing trucks and heavy vehicles on Australian worksites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on safe use, inspection and maintenance of trucks and lifting equipment
• Traffic Management for Construction or Maintenance Work Code of Practice: Requirements for managing vehicle and pedestrian interactions around work areas
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Risk controls for manual handling associated with chains, covers and bin positioning
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Ensuring a safe work environment around loading and unloading zones
• Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Code of Practice: Consultation with workers, contractors and other PCBUs on skip bin operations
• Safe Work Australia – General Guide for Cranes and Mobile Plant: Principles applicable to lifting systems and vehicle-mounted lifting gear
• AS/NZS 4024 Safety of Machinery (relevant parts): General principles for safeguarding and control systems on plant
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017