Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for Work In Remote Areas is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for workers operating in isolated or remote locations. It is a comprehensive document that consolidates multiple aspects of remote work, including travel, accommodation, communication, and emergency response, to support robust WHS compliance and duty of care obligations.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and approval of driving in remote and isolated areas, including journey management plans and route selection
• Safe operation of vehicles in remote areas, including speed management, fatigue control, and wildlife hazard awareness
• Management of remote area driving conditions such as unsealed roads, dust, poor visibility, and changing weather
• Establishing communication protocols for remote-isolated work, including check-in procedures and escalation triggers
• Management of fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workforces, including mobilisation, demobilisation, and transit safety
• Fatigue risk management for FIFO and remote workers, including rostering, rest breaks, and accommodation standards
• Remote area operations planning, including site access, security, and coordination with local services
• Provision and use of emergency equipment such as satellite phones, EPIRBs, first aid kits, and vehicle recovery gear
• Isolation procedures for lone workers, including buddy systems, sign-in/out controls, and lone worker devices
• Health and wellbeing management in remote locations, including hydration, heat stress, mental health, and fitness for work
• Environmental risk controls for remote work, including exposure to extreme temperatures, wildlife, and terrain hazards
• Incident and emergency response in remote areas, including search and rescue coordination and evacuation planning
• Training and competency requirements for personnel undertaking remote area driving and isolated work

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for mining and resources operations, civil and construction contractors, utilities and infrastructure crews, exploration teams, and site supervisors responsible for managing workers in remote or isolated locations.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Guidance on providing safe facilities and conditions in remote and isolated workplaces.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Fatigue at Work (Guidance Material): Principles for controlling fatigue risks in remote and FIFO operations.
• Safe Work Australia – First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for first aid arrangements suitable for remote and isolated work.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Where remote area operations involve fuels, oils, and other hazardous substances.
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for hazard identification, risk assessment, and implementation of controls.
• AS/NZS ISO 31000 Risk Management – Guidelines: Best-practice approach for managing operational risks in remote area work.
• AS 3745 Planning for Emergencies in Facilities: Principles for developing emergency plans, including remote and isolated work locations.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017