Important: This SWMS template is provided as a starting point only. It must be reviewed and customised to reflect the specific conditions, hazards, and controls for your workplace and task. The PCBU remains responsible for ensuring the SWMS is suitable for the specific work. This template does not constitute legal advice. Refer to your state or territory WHS regulator for compliance requirements.

Electrical Work

Underground Cable Installation — Safe Work Method Statement

Safe Work Method Statement for the installation of underground electrical cables including trenching, conduit installation, cable pulling, joint and termination works, and reinstatement for low voltage and high voltage systems.

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Personal Protective Equipment

Hard hat (Class 1)High-visibility vest (Class 2)Steel-capped safety bootsSafety glassesInsulating rubber gloves (Class 0 for LV, Class 2 for HV)Leather protector gloves over insulating glovesP2 respirator (during trenching in contaminated or siliceous soils)

High Risk Construction Work Types

•Excavation deeper than 1.5 metres
•Work on or near energised electrical installations
•Work near live buried services

Risk Assessment

1.Service location and trenching

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Cable strike on existing live underground electrical service	Catastrophic	Obtain DBYD plans for all services in the excavation corridor. Perform cable and pipe detection using a calibrated CAT4+ locator across the full trench width before any excavation commences. Mark all located services on the ground surface. Hand-dig or vacuum-excavate within 300 mm of any located electrical service — no mechanical excavation within this exclusion zone. If an unlocated cable is encountered during digging, stop immediately, move workers clear, and contact the relevant electricity distributor before continuing. Never cut or move a cable assumed to be de-energised without formal verification from the network owner.	Low	Licensed Electrician / Site Supervisor
Trench collapse in unstable soils	High	Assess soil type at each trench location. For trenches exceeding 1.5 m depth in unstable soils, install hydraulic trench shields or shoring before workers enter. Bench or batter sides in granular soils at a minimum 1:1 slope from the base. Keep spoil minimum 600 mm from trench edge. No worker to stand beneath a vertical trench wall exceeding 1.5 m depth without shoring in place. Inspect trench walls each morning and after rainfall.	Moderate	Site Supervisor

2.Conduit installation and cable pulling

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Manual handling injury during cable drum handling and cable pulling	Moderate	Cable drums must be transported and positioned using a cable drum stand, forklift, or crane — not rolled by workers. Position the cable drum on a powered cable drum roller or spindle before pulling. Use a mechanical cable puller (tugger or capstan) for cables exceeding 50 m pull or where cable weight exceeds 20 kg per person. Workers must wear leather gloves when handling cable. Do not allow cable to run through bare hands — use cable guides or rollers. Conduct a manual handling risk assessment for the specific cable weight and pull distance before commencing.	Low	All Workers / Site Supervisor
Conduit glue vapour inhalation in confined trench	Moderate	Use low-VOC PVC conduit solvent cement where available. When gluing conduit in trenches or confined areas, ensure adequate ventilation before commencing. If natural ventilation is insufficient, use a forced air ventilation fan to maintain fresh air supply at the work face. Workers must not work in a confined trench with poor ventilation while applying PVC cement — maintain atmospheric monitoring if required. Wear a half-face respirator with organic vapour cartridge when applying conduit solvent in enclosed conditions. Comply with confined space entry requirements if applicable.	Low	All Workers

3.Cable jointing and termination

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Electric shock during cable termination on live switchboard	Catastrophic	Do not terminate cables on any energised switchboard, panel, or pillar. Apply LOTO to the full length of the circuit including all switchboards, pillars, and distribution boards. Verify isolation using the Test-Prove-Test method on both ends of the cable before termination commences. For HV cable termination, engage an authorised HV cable jointer holding current HV access authority from the relevant distribution network operator. All HV work requires a formal switching schedule issued by the distribution network operator.	Low	Licensed Electrician / HV Cable Jointer
Torch or heat gun fire during heat-shrink joint application	Moderate	Use an electric heat gun in preference to open flame torch for heat-shrink application wherever practicable. If a gas torch is required, inspect connections and hose for leaks before use. Keep a 2 kg CO2 fire extinguisher within 3 m of the jointing location. Remove all flammable materials (cable drum wrapping, cardboard, grass) from a 1 m radius of the joint before applying heat. Never leave a lit torch unattended. Turn off gas at the cylinder when not actively being used.	Low	Cable Jointer / Electrician

4.Cable testing before energisation

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
High voltage from insulation resistance testing injuring workers	High	Insulation resistance testing uses test voltages up to 5 kV (HV megger). Before applying test voltage, confirm all personnel are clear of the cable under test and any equipment connected to it at both ends. Post 'TESTING IN PROGRESS — DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE' warning signs at both ends. Connect earth at the far end of the cable before disconnecting after testing — stored charge can remain on the cable. Use a CAT IV rated megohmmeter with test leads in good condition. Discharge the cable via an earthing lead after testing before disconnecting test equipment.	Low	Licensed Electrician

5.Backfill, marker tape installation, and reinstatement

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Cable damage from improper backfill compaction	Moderate	Backfill to minimum 100 mm above cable(s) with clean, sifted sand (or cable bedding material as per AS/NZS 3000 and network owner requirements) before placing marker tape. Install continuous orange cable marker tape reading 'DANGER — ELECTRIC CABLE BELOW' minimum 100 mm below finished surface level. Compact backfill in maximum 200 mm lifts using hand tamper within 300 mm of cable — no plate compactor within the immediate cable zone. Record 'as-installed' GPS coordinates of cable alignment and depths and issue to the client and asset owner.	Low	Site Supervisor / All Workers

Relevant Codes of Practice

Worker Acknowledgement

By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.

Name: ___________________Date: ___________________