Working in Public Areas SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning and managing work activities in public areas, from site set-up through to removal of controls. It supports managing risks associated with public access, traffic, vehicles, plant, deliveries, work areas and changing conditions.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan public-area works and conduct site induction
• Install traffic controls and pedestrian exclusions
• Position vehicles and plant safely
• Receive deliveries and manage loading areas
• Set up and maintain the work area
• Perform work while managing tools, dust, noise and manual tasks
• Manage public interactions and unauthorised entry
• Respond to changing conditions and incidents
• Clean the work area and remove controls
• Sign off and secure the area

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out work in public areas.

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.
• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory road-management, traffic-control, public-land and local-government requirements.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Work health and safety consultation, cooperation and coordination.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Construction work.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of plant in the workplace.
• Safe Work Australia guidance: Workplace traffic management and Moving plant on construction sites.
• AS 1742.3 Manual of uniform traffic control devices—Traffic control for works on roads; AS 1742.10—Traffic control for works on roads; AS 1319 Safety signs for the occupational environment; AS/NZS 4602.1 High-visibility safety garments; AS 2210.3 Safety footwear.
• Model laws and model Codes are guidance unless adopted or approved in the applicable jurisdiction; confirm local legal and road-authority requirements before work starts. The source material identifies traffic plans, physical separation and competent traffic control as key public-protection measures.

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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