Chain Trencher

SWMS · SWMS-10045

14 job steps
Version 9
Earthmoving & Mobile Plant
Reads on any phone

This SWMS covers the hazards and controls for chain trencher operations in excavation projects, so that the steps needed to minimise risk and keep the work safe are taken.

It takes your crew through 14 job steps: checking weather and preparing, working alone, transporting the trencher, arriving on site, work area set-up, the environment, housekeeping, manual tasks, communicating with ground workers, trencher operation, changing attachments, refuelling, completion and emergency response.

It suits excavation and trenching contractors, construction companies, utility and infrastructure services, and site supervisors and safety officers.

Chain Trencher

SWMSVersion 9

Company doing the work: [Company]
Business contact: —
Phone #: —
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work): —
Signature: —
Date: —
Contact phone #: —

Principal contractor (PC): [Principal contractor]
PC address: —
PC phone #: [PC phone]
Date SWMS provided to PC: —
Job site address: [Site address]
Is the work associated with 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
Traffic CorridorsWork carried out adjacent to a road, railway or shipping lane, traffic corridor

Planning and preparation

Planning

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
Eye Protection
Sun Protection
Seat Belt

Job steps, hazards and controls

Work activity
Check weather conditions & prepare
- Hazard
  Extreme weather
  Before controls3 High
  Controls
  - Check weather conditions – do not work in extreme conditions
  - Reschedule works to work in more moderate temperatures.
  After controls2 Moderate
  Responsible
  - Supervisorto maintain awareness of weather conditions
  - Operatorto follow controls
- Hazard
  Hyperthermia / Hypothermia
  Before controls3 High
  Controls
  - Workers trained to recognise the symptoms of hyperthermia and hypothermia
  - Hot conditions. Ensure:
    Suitable protective clothing
    Sun brim on hard hats
    Safety glasses - UV rated
    Use 30+ sunscreen on exposed skin
    Adequate drinking water
    Access to shade on breaks
    Adequate breaks.
  - Cold conditions. Ensure:
    Schedule warm-up breaks
    Hold breaks inside
    Dress warmly in layers
    Stay dry (wet clothing chills the body rapidly)
    Workers must get out of the cold as soon as they can if starting to feel symptoms
    Alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and certain medications increase susceptibility to cold.
  After controls2 Moderate
  Responsible
  - Supervisorto maintain awareness of weather conditions
  - Operatorto follow controls

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

Work activity
Working alone
Keep in contact and have first aid ready when working alone
Work activity
Transporting the trencher
Load, tie down and unload the trencher securely
Work activity
Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditions
Position the vehicle, report in and check the site on arrival
Work activity
Work area set-up
Set up exclusion zones and locate underground services
Work activity
Environment
Control noise, dust, waste, spills and other environmental impacts
Work activity
House keeping
Keep the work area clean and free of trip hazards
Work activity
Manual tasks
Lift and handle materials safely
Work activity
Establish a communication system with ground workers
Agree communication and approach rules with ground workers
Work activity
Trencher operation
Inspect and operate the trencher safely
Work activity
Changing attachments
Change attachments and release hydraulic pressure safely
Work activity
Refuelling
Refuel safely with the right fire extinguisher at hand
Work activity
On completion
Park and secure the trencher and sign out
Work activity
Emergency response
Respond to emergencies and call 000

Permits

Plant and equipment

Hazardous substances

Supervisory arrangements

SWMS Sign-off

This SWMS developed in consultation and cooperation with workers and relevant organisation representatives. I have read the above SWMS, and I understand its contents. I confirm that I have the skills and training, including relevant certification, to conduct the task as described. I agree to comply with safety requirements within this SWMS, including risk control measures, safe work instructions, and PPE described.

Worker’s name	Job role / positione.g. supervisor, worker, trainee	Licences, competencies & qualificationsType / descriptionClassNumber	Date	Signature
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)

Hierarchy of controls

Risk matrix

Step 1: Determine likelihood

Likelihood	Criteria	Description

Step 2: Determine consequence

Step 3: Determine the risk score

Likelihood ↑	InsignificantNo effect, or so minor that the effect is acceptable	MinorMinor first aid treatment, minimal business disruption, minimal environmental effect	ModerateSerious injuries, medium business interruption, medium environmental impact	MajorExtensive injuries or fatality, significant business interruption, environmental harm, prosecution	CatastrophicMultiple permanent disabilities or fatalities, business failure, substantial environmental harm, prosecution or imprisonment
	Consequence →
Almost certainExpected in most circumstances	2 Moderate	2 Moderate	3 High	4 Acute	4 Acute
LikelyWill probably occur in most circumstances	2 Moderate	2 Moderate	3 High	4 Acute	4 Acute
PossibleCould possibly occur at some time	1 Low	2 Moderate	2 Moderate	3 High	4 Acute
UnlikelyUnlikely but possible	1 Low	1 Low	2 Moderate	3 High	4 Acute
RareHighly unlikely to occur	1 Low	1 Low	2 Moderate	2 Moderate	3 High

1 LowRecord and monitor. Proceed with work, and review the risks regularly.
2 ModerateMaintain control measures. Be cautious when working, and monitor and review regularly.
3 HighReview before commencing work. Introduce new controls or maintain high-level controls to lower the risk level, and monitor the controls frequently.
4 AcuteDo not proceed until the risk level is reduced. Immediately introduce high-level controls, and re-assess before proceeding.

Step 4: Record risk

13 more job steps, from Working alone to Emergency response

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

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What it covers

14 job steps

Check weather conditions & prepareCheck the weather and protect workers from heat and cold
Working aloneKeep in contact and have first aid ready when working alone
Transporting the trencherLoad, tie down and unload the trencher securely
Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsPosition the vehicle, report in and check the site on arrival
Work area set-upSet up exclusion zones and locate underground services
EnvironmentControl noise, dust, waste, spills and other environmental impacts
House keepingKeep the work area clean and free of trip hazards
Manual tasksLift and handle materials safely
Establish a communication system with ground workersAgree communication and approach rules with ground workers
Trencher operationInspect and operate the trencher safely
Changing attachmentsChange attachments and release hydraulic pressure safely
RefuellingRefuel safely with the right fire extinguisher at hand
On completionPark and secure the trencher and sign out
Emergency responseRespond to emergencies and call 000

Chain Trencher

Site management plan

High-risk construction work