SAFE WORK METHOD

STATEMENT
DOC DOC
SWMS5 VERSION 5 Dave Cowan
EXCAVATION, TRENCHING AND UNDERGROUND ID OWNER

SERVICES ACTIVE DATE 6/3/2018 REVIEW DATE 6/3/2020

INTRODUCTION
This Safe Work Method Statement details how specific risks associated with excavation, trenching and the location of underground services are to be
managed. It outlines the common risks and dangers associated with this work and how to best control them based on the Hierarchy of Controls.
The control measures listed in this SWMS must be implemented on site.
If other hazards are identified that are not identified in this SWMS a Risk Assessment for the new hazard must be completed on the WRAP.

CONSULTATION AND REVIEW OF SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT (SWMS)

This SWMS has been developed in consultation with Subject Matter Experts. Reviews will be conducted two years, in the event an incident occurs, if there
is a change in operational practices and if there is a change in legislation. It will also be reviewed in conjunction with any review of associated
procedures and/or training programs. Effectiveness of control measures will be monitored by on site supervisors.

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS - OCCUPATIONS/HIGH RISK WORK

Relevant Workplace Health & Safety / Environmental Legislation References

QLD Work Health & Safety Act 2011
QLD Work Health & Safety Regulations 2011
Electrical Safety Act 2002
Electrical Safety Regulations 2002
Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice
Traffic Management Code of Practice (MUTCD) 2010
How to Manage Work Health & Safety Risks Code of Practice
QUU Trenching, Excavation and Underground Services Standard
Safe Work Method Statement – Working on or adjacent to a Road or Railway
Safe Work Method Statement – Confined Space Entry
Safe Work Method Statement – Operating Mobile Plant
Safe Work Method Statement – Working at Heights

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Environmental Protection Act 1994
Environmental Protection Regulation1996

In the event of a collapse:

 Immediately contact Emergency Services by telephone (000) your supervisor and the WH&S Team. (07 3855 6418)
 Try and locate the victim looking for signs such as tools or a shovel, but do not put yourself at risk.
 Clear all unnecessary employees and others on QUU worksite away from the area.
 If possible, batter the sides of the trench in the collapsed area or insert shoring where possible to protect victim(s) and rescuers.
 Remove the collapsed soil with shovels, or if it is a very deep trench, with a machine.
If a machine is used, take extreme care to avoid further injury to a victim!
 Do not allow anyone on top of the collapsed soil (this will increase the pressure on a victim).
 If the excavation is over 1.5 m deep, rescuers must wear safety harnesses and life lines that extend to the surface.
 When rescuers are near a victim, hands should be used to remove the soil if possible. If shovels have to be used, these must be used with extreme
caution.
 When a victim is located, clear soil from head and chest, and check for breathing and a pulse. If no signs of life are present, start Cardio-
Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
 If a victim’s chin is pressed onto their chest, tilt the head back as soon as possible so as to open up the airway to the lungs. This can be done while
other rescuers are freeing the soil from the upper part of their body and before starting CPR.
 Check for injuries and apply first aid where necessary.
 DO NOT attempt to remove a victim by tying a rope around him/her and pulling on the rope.
 Where possible, once a victim has been freed from the soil, leave them in the trench until the ambulance or qualified medical person arrives. This
minimises unnecessary movement of the victim.

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 HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CONTROL MEASURES

Inherent Residual Hierarchy PICOW’s

Task/Activity Hazard/Risk Control Measures
Risk Risk of Initials
Rating Rating Controls

1. 1. E 1. Obtain DBYD prescribed information. L Admin

Planning of Hazard: 2. Contact relevant authorities for information about the service (location, type, depth Admin
site, not identifying and restrictions to be followed) including maps and information from QUU.
identificatio some 3. All relevant prescribed information in writing and keep on site for the duration of the Admin
n and underground task.
location of services
4. The relevant person must consider the information supplied, follow any reasonable Admin
undergroun
restrictions and implement the necessary control measures. The information shall be
d services
kept on site at all times.
Risk:
Disconnecting 5. Carry out a detailed site inspection considering all possible services such as phone Admin
a service, and optical cables, water and sewerage, gas, electricity, stormwater drainage,
electrocution irrigation and indirect services, survey marks and street lighting electric cables. and
review the site against prescribed information and plans by scanning the site with a
cable avoidance tool (CAT), if available.
6. Pothole using hand tools, shovels, trowels, etc. (insulated equipment must be used if Admin
working near electrical services) must be conducted.
7. Exclusion Zones must be identified and marked prior to any excavation starting, this Isolation
includes Potholing.
8. All onsite workers must be advised of the location of the services, in particular the Admin
operator(s) of any plant working on the worksite.
9. Mark all exposed services with flags or devices that can be readily seen. Admin
H 1. Setup site so that runoff from sediment pile or Trench/Excavation does not enter L Engineering
2. 1.
waterways
Planning of Hazard: site
site and site setup results in Engineering
2. Install Sediment/Erosion controls as required
setup erosion or
sediment
runoff

E 1. Only use plant once you have identified where the relevant services are located M Engineering
3. 1.
(e.g. electricity, gas, telephone).
Excavating Hazard:
around the Gas lines, 2. Work around identified service(s), use caution at all times. Admin

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 Inherent Residual Hierarchy PICOW’s
Task/Activity Hazard/Risk Control Measures
Risk Risk of Initials
Rating Rating Controls
located electricity 3. Use an “Authorised Person” (observer) to assist the plant operator(s) by maintaining sight Admin
services Risk: of the service(s).
Contact with
4. Support exposed services (seek advice from the service authority if required). Admin
services,
electrocution, 5. Ensure all marked services continue to be visible for the duration of the work. Admin
explosion,
struck by plant
6. NO WORKERS (apart from operator) are to be in physical contact with any excavating Admin
machine or plant at any time whilst it is operating. (Do not touch plant!)

4. 1. E 1. No one is to be in the excavation whilst any plant/equipment is in operation within the L Admin
excavation.
Trenching Hazard: 2. A ‘Record of Excavation Inspection’ form must be completed by a competent person Admin
loose soil, when the trench or excavation reaches a depth of 1m and other occasions outlined on
excavation; the form.
Risk: 3. Approval in writing by a geo-technical engineer must be obtained, for trenches > 3 m Admin
Trench deep, stating that the trench is safe to work in. The approval must be kept on site at all
collapse, times and All nominated controls followed.
falling objects, 4. Ascertain if the excavation and/or trench is a confined space. If so, Admin
refer to the SWMS2 – Confined Space Entry.
5. Proximity of plant (including vehicles/trucks) to the top of the trench or excavation shall Admin
be determined through a risk assessment. (The risk assessment should take into account
the weight of the plant or vehicle involved as well as the type of soil and weather
conditions.)
6. Minimise plant and equipment movement near trench or excavations. Admin
7. Keep spoil further than 1 m from the excavation edge and keep spoil piles to a Isolation
maximum of 600mm.
8. Monitor gas continuously if working in the vicinity of known gas lines or near a high traffic Admin
flow area.
9. Use an industrial strength rated ladder to enter and exit the trench. (Ladders must not PPE
be more than 9 m apart and at least 1 m of the ladder must extend out of the trench.)

10. No petrol driven machinery is to be used in or near the trench. Isolation

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 Inherent Residual Hierarchy PICOW’s
Task/Activity Hazard/Risk Control Measures
Risk Risk of Initials
Rating Rating Controls

11. All tools and equipment shall be placed so that they cannot fall into the trench or Isolation
excavation.
12. Minimise the length of open trench by back-filling the trench or excavation as soon as Engineering
possible.

13. Work only from inside shored areas or from on top of stable backfill. Isolation
14. All workers must constantly monitor the stability of the trench or excavation walls. Admin

15. If a change of shift is required, the site supervisor will hold a handover meeting with Admin
incoming staff and supervisor to discuss the workplace and indicate any known
hazards.

5. 1. H L Engineering
1. Ensure all equipment has been removed and site is restored to a high standard, safe
Site Manual and clean, posing no risk to the public or environment.
restoration handling,
obstructions,
public safety,
falling,

6. 1. H L Engineering
1. Remove all loose material
Site Erosion of soil,
restoration movement of Isolation
sediment 2. Ensure any exposed areas are stabilised (to prevent possible later runoff)
offsite

END OF SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT

ABN: 86 673 835 011

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