Manage excavation risks & enhance site safety with this SWMS. This Trenching & Excavation Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) provides a structured framework for identifying and controlling hazards related to excavation and trenching activities. It details essential risk mitigation strategies, control measures, and best practices to help businesses align with Australian workplace safety standards while ensuring safe excavation procedures.
 
Hazards & Control Measures Covered:
1️⃣ Planning & Risk Assessment
Site Induction & Pre-Start Meeting – Ensures all personnel are briefed on site-specific hazards, emergency procedures, and operational controls before starting work.
Work Area Inspection & Hazard Identification – Mandates assessing ground stability, nearby structures, and underground services before excavation begins.
Equipment Pre-Start Checks – Requires daily inspections of excavators and supporting equipment to confirm operational safety.
2️⃣ Excavation Stability & Ground Conditions
Trench Collapse Prevention – Mandates shoring, benching, or battering back trench walls for all trenches deeper than 1.5 metres.
Soil Stability & Load Management – Ensures excavated material is placed at least one metre from the trench edge to reduce risk of collapse.
Safe Excavator Positioning – Requires careful placement of excavators to avoid instability due to soft or compromised ground conditions.
3️⃣ Underground & Overhead Hazards
Locating Underground Services – Requires "Dial Before You Dig" (DBYD) checks and manual exposure of underground utilities before excavation.
Electrical Overhead Powerlines – Mandates assessing proximity to overhead powerlines, maintaining exclusion zones, and implementing additional control measures when required.
4️⃣ Traffic & Pedestrian Safety
Site Access & Traffic Management – Requires designated pedestrian and vehicle exclusion zones around excavation sites.
Excavator Movement Control – Mandates using spotters when reversing and ensuring high-visibility PPE is worn at all times.
5️⃣ Emergency Preparedness & Incident Response
First Aid & Incident Reporting – Ensures all workers are aware of first aid locations and emergency contact procedures.
Fire Safety & Equipment Use – Mandates that personnel know the location and operation of firefighting equipment.
Work Cessation & Hazard Reassessment – Requires stopping work if environmental conditions change or new hazards are identified, with a reassessment before proceeding.
 
Key Features of the SWMS:
Regulatory Compliance – Helps businesses align with Australian workplace safety laws and excavation standards.
Hazard Identification & Risk Control – Covers essential safety measures to mitigate excavation and trenching risks.
Emergency Preparedness – Establishes clear procedures for responding to incidents, structural failures, and underground service strikes.
Fully Customisable Content – Adaptable for various trenching and excavation projects.
 
Who is This SWMS Suitable For?
This Trenching & Excavation SWMS is essential for:
Civil & Construction Contractors
Utility & Infrastructure Workers
Excavation & Earthmoving Operators
Any Workplace Conducting Trenching Activities
 
Additional Resources:
Included with the purchase is a free copy of our Legislation & Codes of Practice Reference List to support your WHS documentation.
 
Ensure your team has the right procedures in place for excavation safety. Download the Trenching & Excavation SWMS today and help maintain a compliant and secure work environment.