Earthmoving Plant – Workshop Procedure Safe Work Method Statement

Earthmoving Plant – Workshop Procedure Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS Template) delivered in Microsoft Word format for easy editing.

Earthmoving Plant – Workshop Procedure Safe Work Method Statement

Earthmoving Plant – Workshop Procedure Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

Whether you need to get on site to start work, looking to create a safe work environment or pitching for that next government tender - the Earthmoving Plant (Workshop Procedure) Safe Work Method Statement is easy to customise, easy to use and easy to integrate into your current Safety Management System. If you don't have a Safety Management System, we need to talk, seriously, you don't need to be carrying that level of risk exposure in your business - we can help.

Look, we understand that business should be rewarding and not consumed by tedious red tape. The Safe Work Method Statement Template we create is in an easy to understand format, while at the same time being some of the highest quality documents in the industry. Our SWMS documents get you onsite, save you loads of time and are very user-friendly. This way, you can get on with doing what you do best.

The Earthmoving Plant – Workshop Procedure Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) covers the following Job Steps, including potential hazards, control measures and risk ratings:

  1. Planning and preparation
  2. Training and capabilities
  3. Assess onsite conditions
  4. Set up work area
  5. Temporary Traffic Control (TMP)
  6. Delivery of materials and equipment
  7. General precautions
  8. Access
  9. Fuel and liquids
  10. Removal and inspection of parts
  11. Use of lifting equipment
  12. Repainting of plant
  13. Testing of plant
  14. Loading and transport of plant
  15. On completion

The Earthmoving Plant – Workshop Procedure Safe Work Method Statement Includes


Risk Assessment Matrix | Hierarchy of Controls | PPE | Emergency Response

Your Earthmoving Plant – Workshop Procedure Safe Work Method Statement is ready to be used in three easy steps:

  1. Add your company logo and details to the SWMS Template.
  2. Identify site specific risks.
  3. Address any site specific risks and add them to your SWMS Template.

Now that your Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is ready for use, you can also make the SWMS document available as a training resource for activities such as WHS-OHS Toolbox Meeting Talks or Workplace Inductions.

Bluesafe Quick Tips:

  1. Mitigate the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
  2. Identify reasonably foreseeable hazards that could give rise to risk.
  3. Maintain the implemented control measures so that it remains effective.

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View a Safe Work Method Statement Example

See an example of a Safe Work Method Statement Template below. All our SWMS Template documents are comprehensive in nature, easy to use, and are a huge time saver. Our Safe Work Method Statement Templates are quick and easy to customise to your specific business or operation and are perfectly suited for every day use, for larger contracts and tenders right through to qualifying for contractor management platforms such as CM3.

What is a Safe Work Method Statement?

A SWMS is a document that outlines the high-risk construction work activities that will be performed at a workplace, the hazards that will be present as a result of these activities, and the controls that will be implemented to mitigate the risks.

A single SWMS can be utilised for numerous high-risk construction work activities, such as employing powered mobile plant, working at heights of more than 2 metres, and working near to a road that is used by traffic other than pedestrians.

A SWMS is an administrative control that is used to support higher-order controls, such as engineering controls, that are designed to remove or reduce hazards to health and safety.

A SWMS differs from other documentation such as a Job Safety Analysis or a Safe Operating Procedure in that it focuses on specific jobs or processes. A SWMS isn't meant to be a procedure; rather, it's a tool for supervisors and workers to check and monitor the workplace control measures. For high-risk work activities, a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking)  must prepare a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) or check that one has been prepared before starting work. It is important to note that before any work process has started, a SWMS must be prepared.

A PCBU, on the other hand, also must manage health and safety hazards by eliminating or reducing them as much as possible. Before beginning any work on a project, the principal contractor must also obtain a copy of the SWMS.

What information does a Safe Work Method Statement need to contain?

A Safe Work Method Statement should identify high-risk work and any specify hazards related to high-risk construction work as well as any health and safety risks. The SWMS should describe the risk-control measures to be implemented, monitored, and reviewed and also should describe how the risk-control measures will be effective at reducing or eliminating the risk, and how they will be implemented, monitored, and reviewed.

A Safe Work Method Statement should be concise and focus on outlining the specific risks identified for the high-risk work to be performed, as well as the control measures to be implemented to ensure that the work is completed safely.

A long and overly complex Safe Work Method Statement which could be difficult to comprehend, implement and monitor or review may be confusing for workers to mentally digest and therefore is not ideal in helping to reduce or eliminate risks in the workplace. It is imperative that workers, and especially those who do not speak English, are able to understand the Safe Work Method Statement. Consider having pictures or diagrams added to the SWMS as a more effective way of presenting information contained within the SWMS.

The SWMS should also contain other regulatory requirements to protect health and safety of all personnel, such as controlling noise exposure and manual job risks. Also, keep in mind that evidence of a completed risk assessment may be required by the regulator or for auditing reasons if the Safe Work Method Statement is based on a workplace-specific risk assessment.

Who's Responsible for creating the Safe Work Method Statement?

In collaboration with workers who will be directly engaged in the activity, the person responsible for carrying out the work is usually best equipped to prepare the SWMS document. In most cases, this means that a Safe Work Method Statement is created by the builder for his or her employees, or by the subcontractor for their employees.

To establish who is in the best position to prepare the Safe Work Method Statement, the principle contractor, builder, and/or subcontractors should decide who will take responsibility for the SWMS.

It's also a requirement that all managers, contractors, supervisors, and workers be involved in the creation of a Safe Work Method Statement. Workers must be consulted so that they understand the SWMS in depth and what they must do to establish and maintain risks and implement control measures to manage the risk. Sharing information and utilising workers' knowledge and experience may also aid in ensuring that the task is completed in accordance with the SWMS.

If your workplace has a Health and Safety Representative, they should also be contacted while creating a Safe Work Method Statement.

What does the principal contractor's responsibility entail?

Before beginning work, a principal contractor must take all reasonable steps to obtain a SWMS from any contractor performing high-risk work. If no SWMS exists, the principal contractor must arrange for one to be created, for example by the contractor or subcontractor.

A general contractor should establish plans to ensure that high-risk work is carried out safely and in compliance with the Safe Work Method Statement. This can be done by keeping an eye on how the SWMS is being implemented on the ground.

The principal contractors' WHS management plan must also include detailed arrangements for collecting, assessing, monitoring, and reviewing the SWMS, according to the WHS Regulations.

How to Write a Safe Work Method Statement

If you're looking to write your own Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service Safe Work Method Statement, the first step is to create the document as a Safe Work Method Statement Template. This way, you can use the same SWMS Template and then adjust the document for each different earthmoving plant – maintenance and service project as needed, making sure that your Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS Template addresses any site specific risks. 

The fastest and most cost effective solution would be to purchase a Bluesafe Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS Template. However, if you decide to take the route of writing your own earthmoving plant– maintenance and service SWMS.

There are some fundamental requirements and information which you may want to consider adding to your Earthmoving Plant –Maintenance And Service SWMS such as: 

  • Details of the person(s) responsible for making sure implementation, monitoring and compliance of the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS as well as any reviews and modifications. 
  • Any information detailing safety meetings or toolbox talks in relation to earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work, scheduled in accordance with legislative requirements to first identify any site hazards where the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work is being conducted, secondly, communicate the risks and hazards and then take steps to eliminate or control each hazard in relation to the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work being done. 
  • Any changes added to the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS after an incident or a near miss. 

Note: The Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS must be kept and be available for inspection at least until the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work is completed. Where the Earthmoving Plant– Maintenance And Service SWMS is revised, all versions of the SWMS Template should be kept. If a notifiable incident occurs in relation to the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service Safe Work Method Statement, the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS must be kept for a minimum of two years from the date of the incident. 

Your Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service Safe WorkMethod Statement Template should list any high risk construction work, such as:

  • Does the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS involve a risk of a person falling more than 2 meters?
  • Is the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS carried out on or near pressurised gas mains or piping?
  • Is the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS carried out on a telecommunication tower?
  • Is the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS carried out on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines?
  • Does the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS involve demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing?
  • Is the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services?
  • Does the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS involve demolition of an element related to the physical integrity of a structure?
  • Is the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS carried out in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere?
  • Does the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS involve, or is likely to involve, disturbing asbestos?
  • Does the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS involve tilt-up or precast concrete?
  • Does the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS involve structural alteration or repair that requires temporary support to prevent collapse?
  • Is the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor?
  • Is the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS carried out in or near a confined space?
  • Is the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS carried out in an area of a workplace where there is any movement of powered mobile plant?
  • Is the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS carried out in/near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5m or tunnel involving use of explosives?
  • Is the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS carried out in areas with artificial extremes of temperature?
  • Is the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS carried out in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning?
  • Does the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work outlined in the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS involve diving work?

Your Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service Safe Work Method Statement should also identify any high-risk machinery or equipment in operation near the work site, such as: 

Your Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS should also list any Personal Protective Equipment such as: 

  • Foot Protection - Boots or closed in shoes
  • Hand Protection - Gloves
  • Head Protection - Hard hat or helmet
  • Hearing Protection - Ear plugs or ear muffs
  • Eye Protection - Safety glasses, goggles or face shields
  • Respiratory Protection - Face masks etc
  • Face Protection - Face shield, welding mask etc
  • High Visual Clothing
  • Protective Clothing - Overalls etc
  • Fall Protection - Safety harness, edge protection etc
  • Sun Protection - Sunscreen, hat etc
  • Hair and Jewellery Secured - Hair Net, etc 

The Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS must be reviewed continually to ensure it remains effective and relevant. The Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS must be reviewed (and revised if necessary) if relevant control measures in relation to earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work are revised. The review process should be carried out in consultation with workers (including contractors and subcontractors) who may be affected by the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service and their health and safety representatives who represented that work group at the workplace.

When the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS has been revised, the person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure:

  1. All persons involved in the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work are advised that a revision has been made and how they can access the revised Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS;
  2. Persons who will need to change a work procedure or system as a result of the review are advised of the changes in a way that will enable them to implement their duties consistently with the revised Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS; and,
  3. Workers that will be involved in the earthmoving plant –maintenance and service work are provided with the relevant information and instruction that will assist them to understand and implement the revised Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS. 

When preparing your Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS, here are some topics you might want to also include to ensure you have covered as many risks and hazards as possible.

Planning and Preparation When Working With and Around Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service. 

When writing your Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS, establish any policies, procedures and systems for working with Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service in consultation with the Principal Contractor and workers while being sure to establish: 

  • Health and Safety guidelines for earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work
  • Emergency plans and evacuation procedures for the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS
  • Worker inductions for Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service
  • Toolbox talks (safety meetings) added to the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS
  • Outline details of supervision of the site and workers on the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS
  • Check all workers qualifications, permits and competencies for Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service operations
  • Ensure the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service and any related equipment is functioning correctly
  • Hazard reporting procedures in place and added to the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS
  • Incident reporting procedures in place and added to the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS
  • Exclusion zones when conducting earthmoving plant –maintenance and service work
  • Risk Assessment for TASK completed and noted on the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS
  • Electrical NO GO ZONES identified, discussed and documented.

Assessment of Site Conditions 

Thoroughly assess the work site/area conditions when working with earthmoving plant and ensure that:

  1. A risk assessment of the earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work is conducted
  2. Suitable access and adequate space to conduct earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work safely
  3. Consult with all stakeholders on potential hazards and risks when conducting earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work
  4. Consultation with all relevant workers and personnel for Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS details
  5. If conducting Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service at night, ensure there is adequate lighting
  6. Check that the work environment is suitable for earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work

Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service Training and Worker Qualifications

Ensure all workers have the appropriate licenses in conducting Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service as well as any qualifications that may be required for various earthmoving plant – maintenance and service projects before starting work. If White Cards are required, retain copies of all cards, licenses and qualifications of personnel.

All personnel must: 

  1. Be trained and/or have received instructions on the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS including all safety and emergency procedures.
  2. Be qualified, knowledgeable and competent in Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service operations and earthmoving plant – maintenance and service work as well as all delegated tasks/responsibilities
  3. Be fully aware and understand the scope of work in relation to the Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service SWMS

Below are some examples of some Control Measures to be implemented when creating your own Earthmoving Plant – Maintenance And Service Safe Work Method Statement Template:

  • Before commencing work on plant or attachments, make sure the plant is stationary, and all attachments, etc., have been supported or lowered to the ground.
  • Inspect for the presence of loose parts or unsecured items that could fall during servicing.
  • Before starting service, relieve all stored energy in the pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
  • Any loose part should be secured or removed.
  • Field servicing and maintenance must be carried out on a firm level surface.
  • Provide safe means of access for use, such as ladders, etc.
  • Check the steps, ladders, etc., on the plant and replace or repair the unserviceable parts.
  • Make sure the work area is clear of obstructions.
  • Never use any makeshift means of access.
  • Make sure the faulty parts are all rectified.
  • If possible, cleaning and washing of plant should be done away from normal servicing area.
  • When using high pressure cleaning equipment and degreasers, solvents, etc., the operator must wear proper protective clothing and equipment.
  • Contaminated water must not be allowed to run off into the local drainage system or waterway.
  • Working area must be kept clean and dry.
  • Wearing eye, hearing, body, hand and foot protection is recommended.
  • The cleaning area must have a bund around it.
  • Whenever descending from or climbing on plant, always maintain 3 points of contact.
  • For working above ground or on decks, etc., use suitable arrangements for access to heights.
  • Unless it is necessary to inspect the moving parts inaction, do not remove guards,
  • When inspecting plant under power, do not bring body parts, etc., near to the moving parts.
  • When inspecting a running plant, wearing appropriate hearing protection is recommended.
  • For access, use only approved methods.
  • Use reach platform or equipment, etc.
  • Remove guards only when necessary.
  • Loose clothing, jewellery, etc. must not be worn.
  • Wearing hearing and eye protection is recommended.
  • Before using, make sure the operator access is serviceable and win proper working condition.
  • Before returning to service, make sure all covers and guards are refitted and secured.
  • Never use faulty equipment.
  • Never use without all guards fitted in place.
  • Never allow fuels, oils, lubricants and cleaning products to contact the skin and eyes.
  • When using environmentally hazardous materials, use them in bunded areas and avoid spills.
  • Suitable means must be provided for preventing contamination, cleaning up of spills and leaks and for removing contaminated soils and clean up materials.
  • Wearing hand and eye protection when inspecting hydraulic systems, etc., is recommended.
  • Wearing eye, hand and protection is recommended when cleaning up spills and leaks.
  • After maintenance and service, be careful of the moving parts of a plant under test.
  • When inspecting running plants, wearing proper hearing protection is necessary.
  • Do not be near the moving parts.
  • Wearing hearing protection is recommended.

National: View the Model Codes of Practice for Excavation Work on Safe Work Australia's website here.
Victoria: Victoria's Code of Practice for Excavation Work may be viewed on Work Safe Victoria's website here.