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Value pack · 49 templatesPart of Civil Infrastructure Combo

Site Establishment

SWMS · SWMS-10624

  • 11 job steps
  • Version 3

This Site Establishment Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) covers the hazards and controls for establishing a new work site.

It takes your crew through 11 job steps: planning, checking the weather, arriving on site, assessing site conditions, the environment, developing a traffic management plan, working with powered and non-powered tools, site set-up, setting up barricades and hoarding for working at height, completion and emergency response.

It covers high-risk construction work such as mobile plant movement and working at height, with a risk matrix and controls for each hazard.

It suits construction managers, site supervisors and safety officers who set up new work sites.

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Preview of the Site Establishment SWMS

Site Establishment

SWMSVersion 3
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 Plant
  • Gas Mains
  • Hazardous Lines
  • Energised Electrical
  • Falls

Working with a risk of a fall over 2 metres

The fall from height hierarchy of control level considered when establishing controls:

  • L1Work on the ground or solid construction, not chosen
  • L2Use a passive fall restraint system, e.g. guard rails, scaffolding, EWP, not chosen
  • L3Use a work positioning system, e.g. travel restraint, rope access, not chosen
  • L4Use a fall arrest system, e.g. safety harness, catch platforms, not chosen
  • L5Implement administrative controls, e.g. signage or instruction, not chosen

No level has been chosen yet.

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?

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.

  • Act, Regulations, Codes of Practice References:

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • Foot Protection
  • High Visibility
  • Head Protection
  • Protective Clothing
  • 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

    Planning

    • Hazard

      Contact with underground & overhead utility assets, e.g. electricity, gas, water

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls
      • Refer to your State/Territory Guidance Material for working distances, i.e., No Go Zones.

      • If a permit to work obtained, always work within the terms of the permit. (have a copy of the permit on-site)

      • Assume overhead, and underground electrical lines energised unless the following is sighted:

        • An access authority confirming the electrical lines have been de-energised, or

        • A written document from the utility owner permitting work in the no-go zone.

      • Property is correctly identified, i.e., lot/plan numbers correspond, and boundaries located and clearly marked

      • Work planned to minimise impacts on neighbouring properties

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisorto undertake all planning processes

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

10 more job steps, from Check weather conditions & prepare to Emergency response

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

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What it covers

11 job steps

  1. PlanningPlan the work and check for underground and overhead services
  2. Check weather conditions & prepareCheck the weather and prepare for hot or cold conditions
  3. Arrival on-sitePark safely and complete the site induction
  4. Assess on-site conditionsAssess the site, secure the work area and control unauthorised access
  5. EnvironmentMinimise environmental impact and manage waste
  6. Develop a traffic management plan (TMP)Develop a traffic management plan to control vehicle hazards
  7. Working with powered & non-powered toolsUse powered and non-powered tools safely and prevent fires
  8. Site setupSet up a clear site induction point and secure work areas
  9. Setting up barricades, hoarding for working at heightSet up barricades and hoarding safely, and prevent falling objects when working at height
  10. On completionComplete the work and secure the site
  11. Emergency responseRespond to injuries, fatalities and environmental damage

Hazards it covers

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