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Excavation Near Assets

SWMS · SWMS-10285

  • 13 job steps
  • Version 10

This Excavating Near Assets Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) outlines the hazards and controls for safely excavating near known underground services and assets. It provides essential guidelines to reduce risks associated with high-risk construction work.

It covers 13 job steps, from silica dust training, planning and assessing the excavation site, checking the weather and conducting a risk assessment to setting up the work area, managing the environment, housekeeping and manual tasks, surveying the site, checking maintenance hole and pit safety, excavating and contact with assets, and emergency response.

It includes high-risk work controls for working near mobile plant, pressurised gas mains, chemical lines and energised electrical installations, and guidelines for thorough risk assessments before excavation starts.

It suits businesses and contractors in construction, utilities and any operations requiring excavation near underground services, including site supervisors, excavation teams and safety officers.

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Preview of the Excavation Near Assets SWMS

Excavation Near Assets

SWMSVersion 10
Company doing the work
[Company]
Business contact and phone
—
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work)
—
Responsible person's phone
—
Responsible person's signature
—
Date signed
—
Principal Contractor (PC)
—
PC Address
—
PC phone
—
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
Job Site Address
—
Part of a construction project
—

Site management plan

If the work is part of a construction project, this SWMS must align with requirements of the Site Management Plan in place for the Construction Project.

High-risk construction work

This work activity involves the following “High-Risk Construction Work” (HRCW – identified in the Job Task column)

  • Mobile PlantMobile plant movement
  • Traffic CorridorsWork carried out adjacent to a road, railway or shipping lane, traffic corridor
  • Hazardous AtmosphereWork in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere
  • Gas MainsPressurised gas distribution mains or piping
  • Hazardous LinesChemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
  • Energised ElectricalEnergised electrical installations or services

Planning and preparation

Planning/Preparation

  • Liaise with Principal Contractor to identify on-site safety systems and procedures

  • Establish supervisory and communication arrangements

  • Principal contractor to confirm emergency response procedures are in place.

Hold points

  • Hold points identified and signed off before continuing work. (specify the hold points)

Training/Licence

  • All workers to have a General Construction Induction Card

  • Relevant workers have relevant certificates of competency, licenses, and training. Specify on the SWMS Sign-off for each worker.

  • Trained First Aider on site

  • All workers trained in site-specific emergency and evacuation procedures, SWMS, safe work procedures, and safety data sheets.

Worker duties and responsibilities

  • Fit condition for work, i.e., no signs of fatigue, alcohol or drugs

  • Attend all site inductions/briefings

  • Comply with all site requirements, e.g. PPE, Traffic Management Plans (TMP)

  • Only carry out work related to the contract

  • Inspect completed work and report possible safety, environmental and quality matters to the supervisor.

Monitor/Review

  • All people involved in the task must have this SWMS communicated to them before work commences

  • SWMS to be reviewed and amended if necessary, in consultation with relevant people after any near miss or incident

  • If additional site hazards identified, review this SWMS and amend control measures to suit

  • People, including workers, contractors and sub-contractors, affected by the revisions to this SWMS, must be informed ASAP

  • Give the principal contractor a copy of the revised SWMS

  • The site supervisor to monitor works against the controls stated in this SWMS

  • SWMS must be kept on-site and made available for inspection or review

  • Keep a record of this SWMS until the job is complete or for two years if involved in a notifiable incident

  • Regardless of any other factor, the person in control of the workplace must review this SWMS at least annually.

Site-specific notes

Legislation and codes of practice

None listed.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • Foot Protection
  • High Visibility
  • Head Protection
  • Sun Protection

Do not wear rings, watches or jewellery that may become entangled. Long and loose hair must be tied back.

Job steps, hazards and controls

  • Work activity

    Provide training on the health effects associated with RCS

    • Hazard

      Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) – dust inhalation

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • Training and information provided to workers on RCS should include:

        • Identification of RCS dust through Safety Datasheet (SDS) or labels

        • Dust exposure prevention strategies

        • Checking controls are working and using them

        • When and how to use any respiratory protective equipment provided and what to do if something goes wrong (Including worker respirator fit and check processes).

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

12 more job steps, from Planning - Assess intended excavation site to Emergency response

Each with its hazards, risk ratings and controls, plus your crew's sign-on.

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What it covers

13 job steps

  1. Provide training on the health effects associated with RCSTrain workers on the health risks of silica dust
  2. Planning - Assess intended excavation siteAssess the excavation site and locate all utilities before digging
  3. Check weather conditions & prepareCheck the weather and protect workers from heat and cold
  4. Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsPark safely, report in and check the site on arrival
  5. Conduct a risk assessmentAssess the risks and plan isolation and emergency response
  6. Work area set-upSet up barricades, traffic control and power line clearances
  7. EnvironmentControl noise, dust, fuels, waterways and vehicle movement
  8. House keepingKeep the work area clean and free of trip hazards
  9. Manual tasksLift and move materials safely
  10. Conduct a site surveyLocate and verify underground services with suitable equipment
  11. Check maintenance hole/pit safetyVent pits and lift covers safely without entering the pit
  12. Excavation & contact with assetsExcavate near assets and respond to a service strike
  13. Emergency responseCall 000, follow site emergency procedures and give first aid

Hazards it covers

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