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System · 143 documentsPart of Builders OHS-WHS Industry Suite

Retaining Wall

SWMS · SWMS-10217

  • 19 job steps
  • Version 8

This Retaining Wall Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) outlines the safety steps, general hazards and controls for building retaining walls, including post and sleeper, masonry block and rock walls for landscaping projects.

It covers 19 job steps, from training, engineering design, weather checks, site arrival and work area set-up through excavation and back-filling, geotextile fabric, each wall type, completion and emergency response.

It includes controls for high-risk construction work around mobile plant and hazardous atmospheres, and for respirable crystalline silica, electricity, manual tasks, noise and environmental impact.

It suits construction managers, landscaping professionals, safety officers and civil engineers working on projects that involve retaining walls.

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Preview of the Retaining Wall SWMS

Retaining Wall

SWMSVersion 8
Company doing the work
[Company]
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work)
—
Principal contractor (PC)
[Principal contractor]
Business contact
—
Phone #
—
PC address
—
Signature
—
Date
—
PC phone #
[PC phone]
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
Contact phone #
—
Job site address
[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
  • Hazardous AtmosphereWork in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere

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 and licences

  • 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.

Monitoring and 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

  • Foot Protection
  • Hearing Protection
  • High Visibility
  • Head Protection
  • Eye Protection
  • Hand Protection
  • Protective Clothing
  • Breathing 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

    Training

    • Hazard

      Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) – dust inhalation

      Before controls3 High
      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
    • Hazard

      Powered mobile plant movement

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • Groundworkers:

        • Ensure an effective system of communication between the machine operator and ground workers established before work commences.

        • Groundworkers are instructed not to approach the machine until the operator has agreed to their request to approach

        • Ensure ground workers are instructed on set distances to maintain from the machine while in operation

        • Groundworkers instructed made familiar with the blind spots of the machine.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

18 more job steps, from Engineering design to Emergency response

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

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What it covers

19 job steps

  1. TrainingTrain workers on silica dust and on working near powered mobile plant.
  2. Engineering designExamine the soil and follow the regulating authority’s requirements for the wall design.
  3. Check weather conditions & prepareCheck the weather and prepare for hot and cold conditions.
  4. Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsArrive, report in and check the site for overhead and underground services.
  5. Work area set-upBarricade and sign the work area to keep unauthorised people out.
  6. EnvironmentControl noise, dust, waste, spills and other environmental impacts of the work.
  7. House keepingKeep the work area clean, well lit and clear of trip hazards.
  8. Manual tasksMove and place materials without manual handling injuries.
  9. Materials deliveryDeliver and unload materials safely around trucks, power lines and the public.
  10. Working with powered & non-powered toolsUse powered and hand tools safely, including dust control when cutting, grinding and drilling.
  11. Working with cement & mortarMix and handle cement and mortar, protecting skin and keeping clear of mixer parts.
  12. Setting out/profiling building linesSet out building lines without trips or strains.
  13. Excavation & back-fillingExcavate and back-fill clear of underground services and collapsing ground.
  14. Placement of geotextile fabricCut and place geotextile fabric with knives safely.
  15. Post & sleeper wallsDig post footings and place sleepers safely.
  16. Masonry block wallBuild masonry block walls, controlling concrete trucks, brick saw hazards and silica dust.
  17. Rock wallsPlace rocks safely, clear of power lines and plant roll-over.
  18. On completionSecure barricades, plant, leads and the site on completion.
  19. Emergency responseRespond to injuries, fatalities and environmental damage.

Hazards it covers

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