This Compaction Roller Operation SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for operating smooth drum, padfoot, multi-tyred and walk-behind rollers on earthworks, road base and asphalt. It covers 28 activities, from the daily pre-start and ground assessment to loading onto the float and emergency response, with the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for each. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Civil and earthworks contractors
Road construction and asphalt crews
Plant hire companies supplying operated rollers
Subdivision, pipeline and landscaping contractors
Council road maintenance crews
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
Ground assessment for soft fill and voids, and contaminated or asbestos-containing fill
Locating underground services and overhead powerlines
Traffic management and exclusion zones on or beside a live road
Unloading from and loading onto the float, and restraint for transport
Pre-operational inspection of brakes, steering, ROPS, seatbelt, alarms and cameras
Reversing blind spots and travel around other plant
Rollover on slopes and batters, and edge collapse near excavations and trenches
Vibration damage to services and structures, whole-body vibration and noise
Silica dust from road base and recycled concrete, and hot asphalt burns and fume
Crush and hand-arm vibration risks with walk-behind and trench rollers
Refuelling, spills, drum servicing, heat, fatigue and working alone
Emergency response to a rollover, entrapment or a person struck by the roller
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 28 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 daily pre-start and servicing checks
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS ISO 3471 for ROPS and AS 2670.1 for whole-body vibration
Competency requirements, noting roller operation isn't a high risk work licence class
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 operating a compaction roller?
A SWMS is legally required when the job is high risk construction work, for example compacting next to a road in use, near a trench deeper than 1.5 metres, or in an area where other powered mobile plant is moving. Outside those situations a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Head contractors and prequalification portals often ask for one either way.
Do roller operators need a high risk work licence?
No. Roller operation isn't a high risk work licence class. The SWMS calls for demonstrated competency, for example RIIMPO317F Conduct roller operations, plus a site verification of competency for the specific machine. Float drivers need the correct heavy vehicle licence.
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.
