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Value pack · 46 templatesPart of Civil Water and Sewerage Systems Combo

Trench Excavation

SWMS · SWMS-10281

  • 15 job steps
  • Version 9

This SWMS covers the hazards and controls for excavating and working in trenches greater than 1.5 m deep.

It takes your crew through each step, from silica dust training, planning, weather checks and site arrival to work area set-up, environment, deliveries, working beside machinery, trench shields, water-charged ground, deep trenches, completion and emergency response.

It suits businesses and contractors in construction, particularly excavation work, and the safety officers and site managers who oversee trench excavation projects.

Written by SafetyDocs safety experts, who have been writing safety documents since 2004.

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Preview of the Trench Excavation SWMS

Trench Excavation

SWMSVersion 9
Company doing the work
[Company]
Business contact
—
Business contact phone
—
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work)
—
Responsible person's phone
—
Responsible person's signature
—
Date signed
—
Principal Contractor (PC)
[Principal contractor]
PC Address
—
PC phone
[PC phone]
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
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
  • Shafts & TrenchesWorking at depths greater than 1.5 metres, including tunnels or mines
  • 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/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

(add site-specific notes)

Legislation and codes of practice

None listed.

Personal protective equipment

  • Foot Protection
  • Hearing Protection
  • High Visibility
  • Head Protection
  • Hand 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 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

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

14 more job steps, from Planning to Emergency response

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

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What it covers

15 job steps

  1. Provide training on the health effects associated with RCSTrain workers on the health effects of respirable crystalline silica
  2. PlanningPlan the excavation and assess its effect on nearby properties and structures
  3. Check weather conditions & prepareCheck the weather and prepare for hot or cold conditions
  4. Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsReport in and assess site conditions on arrival
  5. Work area set-upSet up barricades and exclusion zones to keep out unauthorised people
  6. EnvironmentControl noise, dust, waste and harm to waterways, vegetation, heritage and fauna
  7. House keepingKeep the work area clean and free of trip hazards
  8. Manual tasksLift and move materials safely
  9. Equipment & materials deliveryDeliver and unload equipment and materials safely
  10. Excavating & backfilling - working adjacent to machineryWork safely beside excavating machinery
  11. Installing & removing trench shields /shoringCommunicate and check lifting gear when installing and removing trench shields
  12. Excavating the trench – water charged groundLower the water level and control pumps and contaminants in water-charged ground
  13. Working in trenches >1.5m deepSupport the trench and control falls and fumes in trenches deeper than 1.5 m
  14. On completionSecure the site, plant and keys on completion
  15. Emergency responseCall 000, follow emergency procedures and give first aid

Hazards it covers

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