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.

Excavation & Earthworks

Trenching and Shoring — Safe Work Method Statement

Safe Work Method Statement for excavation of trenches and installation of shoring systems on construction sites, addressing risks of ground collapse, buried services, and working in confined spaces.

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Personal Protective Equipment

Hard hat (Class 1)High-visibility vest (Class 2)Steel-capped safety bootsSafety glassesGloves (leather/cut-resistant)Hearing protection (when using machinery)Dust mask (P2 respirator)

High Risk Construction Work Types

•Excavation deeper than 1.5 metres
•Work near live buried services
•Confined space entry

Risk Assessment

1.Pre-excavation site investigation and service location

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Striking underground utilities (gas, electrical, water, telecom)	Catastrophic	Obtain dial before you dig (DBYD) plans from all relevant authorities prior to commencing work. Mark all known services on the ground surface using coloured spray paint per AS 5488 classification (red=electrical, yellow=gas, blue=water, orange=telecom). Use a calibrated cable and pipe locator (e.g. CAT4+) operated by a trained and competent person to scan the full excavation zone. Conduct hand digging or vacuum excavation (non-destructive digging) within 300 mm of any located service. Brief all workers on service locations during pre-start toolbox talk and display updated service plans in the site office.	Low	Site Supervisor / Excavator Operator
Inaccurate or missing as-built service records	High	Treat all service location information as indicative only. Where DBYD records are incomplete or absent, extend hand-dig exclusion zones to 500 mm either side of estimated service path. Engage a licensed vacuum excavation contractor to expose services prior to mechanical excavation commencing. Document all exposed services with photographs and GPS coordinates and update site plans accordingly.	Moderate	Site Supervisor

2.Mechanical excavation of trench

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Plant collision with workers on foot	Catastrophic	Establish and enforce a clearly marked exclusion zone of no less than the full swing radius of the excavator plus 2 metres. Use a banksman/spotter at all times when other workers are within 10 metres of the plant. Spotter must be in constant visual contact with the operator and stand in a designated safe observation position. Operator must stop machine immediately if visual contact with spotter is lost. Fit excavator with reversing alarm and proximity warning system. Conduct pre-start plant inspection and record on checklist before each shift.	Low	Excavator Operator / Banksman
Trench wall collapse onto workers during excavation	Catastrophic	Assess soil classification (Types 1, 2, 3 per AS 4678) before excavation commences by a competent geotechnical person. For excavations exceeding 1.5 m depth in Type 2 or 3 soils, install hydraulic shoring, trench shields, or benching/battering to engineered design. Keep spoil a minimum of 600 mm from trench edge. Do not allow workers to enter the trench until shoring is fully installed and inspected. Review shoring condition after rainfall or ground disturbance events.	Moderate	Site Supervisor / Competent Person

3.Installation of shoring or trench support

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Shoring system failure causing ground collapse	Catastrophic	All shoring systems must be designed by a structural or geotechnical engineer and installed strictly in accordance with the design drawings and manufacturer specifications. Only competent persons trained in the specific shoring system type may install, adjust, or remove shoring components. Inspect shoring daily before workers enter trench. Immediately evacuate and reassess if cracking, heave, or movement of trench walls or shoring is observed. Do not exceed rated loads on hydraulic struts.	Low	Competent Person / Site Engineer
Manual handling injuries during shoring component installation	Moderate	Use mechanical lifting aids (excavator attachment, chain block, or mechanical lifting frames) for shoring panels and struts exceeding 20 kg. Ensure workers use team-lift technique for components between 10–20 kg. Pre-position shoring materials adjacent to trench to minimise carry distances. Provide training in manual handling techniques. Workers with pre-existing back or musculoskeletal injuries must be assessed before undertaking this task.	Low	All Workers / Site Supervisor

4.Working in and around open trenches

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Falls into open trench	High	Install compliant edge protection (safety mesh, barriers, or handrails) to all open trench edges not immediately being worked. Use secured trench covers when work in trench is not being actively performed. Mark all trench edges with high-visibility barrier tape and bollards. Ensure adequate lighting (minimum 80 lux) in trench. Provide fixed ladders or purpose-built trench access stairs at maximum 9 m intervals — workers must not climb up shoring panels or jump in/out. Implement pedestrian exclusion zones around the trench perimeter.	Low	Site Supervisor / All Workers
Water ingress and trench flooding	High	Monitor weather forecasts daily and implement trench dewatering plan before any rain event exceeding 10 mm expected. Install sump pump with automatic float switch at lowest point of trench. Workers must immediately evacuate trench if water begins to accumulate and not re-enter until trench is fully dewatered and walls inspected by competent person. Cover open trenches overnight with waterproof sheeting secured at edges. Check trench walls for softening or increased moisture after dewatering before re-entry.	Moderate	Site Supervisor

5.Backfilling and compaction of trench

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Compaction plant overrunning workers	High	Establish an exclusion zone around vibrating plate compactors and trench rollers equal to the machine width plus 1 metre on each side. Workers must not stand in the trench while compaction is being conducted at the surface. Operator must perform a visual check before each pass to confirm zone is clear. Use dead-man switch compaction equipment where available. Brief all workers on exclusion zones during pre-start meeting.	Low	Compaction Operator / Site Supervisor
Noise and vibration exposure from compaction equipment	Moderate	Assess noise levels for compaction equipment against WHS Regulations exposure standard of LAeq,8h 85 dB(A) and LC,peak 140 dB(C). Provide hearing protection (Class 4 or 5 earmuffs) to all workers within 10 metres of operating compaction equipment. Rotate workers to limit individual exposure duration. Conduct hearing surveillance for workers regularly exposed. Vibration white finger assessment for operators using hand-held compactors on extended tasks.	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: ___________________