Earthmoving Equipment Safe Work Method Statement

Earthmoving Equipment Safe Work Method Statement

This Earthmoving Equipment SWMS covers the hazards of using earthmoving equipment and associated controls. You can use this document as part of your risk management process to cover site-specific conditions and workers’ roles.

An effective Mobile Plant for Earthmoving SWMS will reduce the likelihood of injury occurring when carrying out tasks involving machinery operation by ensuring that all reasonable precautions have been taken against potential hazards.

This excavator safe work method statement will also help you meet legislative requirements under state/territory WHS regulations while providing practical guidance for managing workplace safety risks related to earthmoving equipment.

This SWMS is suitable for businesses operating, but not limited to:

• Skid-steer/Bobcats
• Backhoes 
• Excavators
• Front-end Loaders
• Tractors
• Track Drott Loaders

Additional controls are included for Elevated Levels, Slips, Trips & Falls, Hazardous Substances, Out-of-Hours/Night Work, Hazardous Manual Tasks, Outdoor Work, Remotely &/or Isolated Work, Silica Dust & Environmental Considerations.

FREE Legislation & Codes of Practice Reference List

Job Steps Covered in the Earthmoving Equipment SWMS:

(includes potential hazards and control measures)

1. Working Outdoors
2. Working Alone
3. Arrival On-site & Assess On-site Conditions
4. Work Area Set-up
5. Environment
6. Housekeeping
7. Manual Tasks
8. Delivery, Set-up & Removal of the Machine
9. Establish a Communication System with Ground Workers
10. Machine Operation
11. Controlling Silica Dust
12. Loading Trucks
13. Operation on Slopes or Piles
14. Trenching
15. Working Outside the Cabin near the Powered Mobile Plant
16. Working near Overhead Electric Lines
17. Excavating near Underground Services
18. Lifting Loads (e.g. pipes)
19. Changing Attachments
20. Operations with Hydraulic Attachments
21. Fuelling the Plant
22. On Completion
23. Emergency Response