This Bulk Excavation and Earthworks SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers cutting, loading, filling and compacting with excavators, dozers, trucks and rollers. It sets out the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for 36 activities, from service location and ground assessment to securing the site, demobilisation and emergency response to an excavation collapse. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
 
Who it's for
Civil and earthmoving contractors
Excavation and site preparation businesses
Plant hire operators supplying excavators, dozers and rollers
Builders and developers managing bulk earthworks
Tipper truck operators carting spoil and fill
 
Use it to
Hand clients and principal contractors the SWMS they ask for
Apply for tenders and new jobs with your safety paperwork ready
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and run toolbox talks on the task
 
What this SWMS covers
Permits, underground service location and proving, and overhead powerline clearances
Ground assessment for soil type, groundwater, surcharge and buried contamination or asbestos
Exclusion zones, erosion and sediment control, and float delivery of plant
Plant pre-start, mounting and dismounting, attachment changes and operator fatigue
Topsoil strip, clearing, bulk excavation and plant overturning at the crest of a cut
Rock breaking, and excavating next to structures, footings and services
Edge protection for excavations over 2 metres, spoil stockpiles and loading trucks
Site traffic and haul roads, reversing plant and workers on foot
Silica dust, subgrade proof rolling, and tipping and spreading imported gravel
Compaction with ride-on rollers and plate compactors, including vibration and carbon monoxide
Refuelling, noise, heat, storms, wildlife and manual handling
Securing open excavations and plant, and emergency response to collapse, rollover or a service strike
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 36 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist and high risk construction work checklist
Plant and equipment list, materials, and pre-start maintenance checks for ROPS, brakes, cameras and hydraulic hoses
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS 3798 for earthworks and AS 5488.1 for subsurface utility information
Training notes covering the traffic management plan, exclusion zones and spotter training for plant blind spots
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your job
Worker sign-off sheet and worker consultation record
 
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing a SWMS from a blank page
Covers the most common hazards and control measures for this work, ready to use out of the box
Fully editable, so you can add, remove or change anything to suit your site and how your team works
Helps your business stay compliant, with risk ratings, worker sign-off and consultation records already set up
 
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, ABN, project and site details.
Check it suits your site and task, edit anything you need to, and consult your workers before you finalise it.
Brief your team and collect signatures.
 
Common questions
Do I need a SWMS for bulk excavation?
In most cases, yes. Bulk earthworks is usually high risk construction work, for example work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant, a trench deeper than 1.5 metres, or digging near pressurised gas mains. Where none of those apply a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Clients, head contractors and prequalification portals often ask for one either way.
Does it cover underground service strikes?
Yes. It covers locating and proving services before digging, keeping mechanical excavation clear of located services, using a competent utility locator, and the emergency response to a service strike.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any hazard, control or rating, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.