EXCAVATIONS

SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT

Operator: Site address: Job description: Task: Procedure / Activity
1. Check plant daily for possible mechanical or safety problems

Operator has read and understood S.W.M.S. and has all required training. Signature: Date: Checked: Approved: Possible hazards
Equipment failure or breakdown Plant hitting operators or the public

Risks Identified
Unable to work

Risk level

Safety controls
Maintenance records kept in logbook/prestart checklist Operators trained in correct maintenance of machinery Machine fitted with rollover and overhead protection Machine fitted with seatbelts which must be worn Machine must have audible reverse warning devices Authority to enter site, site induction

Injury to operator or others

2.

Unloading plant, setting up ready to start work

Entry to site has obstacles or needs documentation Swinging or other uncontrolled movement of plant

Unable to safely access site

Injury to people Damage to plant or property

Operators must have plant licence & OHS green card, move machine with care and be observant all around Designated person to warn persons near work area when machine being unloaded

Ramp collapse

Injury to people Damage to plant or property

and reversed Railway, vehicle or pedestrian traffic 3. Driving around or between sites Railway, vehicle or pedestrian traffic Striking persons Damage to plant or property Striking persons Damage to plant or property Machine driving on public roads and paths Striking members of the public Damage to plant or property Local nuisance Electrocution from striking overhead lines Damage to power lines Plant becomes stuck/rollover risk Unsuitable ground contour and conditions ie boggy or sandy Underground electric, gas and telecommunication services Assess and follow route of least risk from overhead services, ground contour and condition and all traffic As above Operators must be watchful of pedestrians and vehicles and obey all RTA rules Hold track safe awareness induction certificate Traffic control if site risk high or loading across road reserve

Overhead services

4.

Excavating and removal of earth

Electrocution

Check location of services prior to starting work Operators must be properly trained in safety issues specific to working near overhead power lines Operators must be certificated, careful and observant

Striking services and damaging services

Overhead power lines

Operator electrocution Hitting and damaging lines

Pedestrian, road and rail traffic

Hitting persons with plant Damage to plant or property

Other personnel will be warned not to enter the 3m exclusion zone or to wear hard hats Material will be stockpiled at least 1m from the excavation

Falling objects from other site activities

Being hit by objects, materials or plant

Safety footwear will be worn at all times on site Hard hats will be worn outside the machine cabin Loading, unloading and operating machines will only occur during authorised hours Noise barriers will be used when possible

Noise

Damage to hearing

Ear muffs will be worn when noise levels exceed 85DBA Face masks will be worn when work areas dusty

Dust

Nuisance to local area Damage to eyes

Wet weather

Rollover from unsafe ground conditions Sunburn, dehydration

Work will stop during wet weather to prevent falls Sufficient drinking water and sunscreen lotion will be available Adequate lighting will be provided Repetitive manual tasks will be assessed and controls implemented to prevent RSI or other injuries Machines will be fitted with reversing beepers Excavations will be made safe by shoring, benching or battering Operator and client will assess risks and implement appropriate controls

Hot weather

Night work

Striking persons, plant as unable to see properly Injury to limbs

Repetitive work

Reversing plant

Striking persons with plant

Deep excavations Inundation of trench and suffocation if people in trench Embankments and uneven ground Plant rollover, damage to plant and

5.

Working in proximity to roads, railways tracks and footpaths

Motor vehicle and rail traffic

injury to operators Striking persons Rail car hits people Rail car hits plant Hit by car/train

Appropriate traffic control in place Safety vest will be worn

Pedestrians

Track safe awareness induction certificate(RISI CARD) Erection of safety barriers or fences

6.

Lifting pipes and equipment

Unsecured loads

Fall onto persons and damage plant/equipment Striking person and injury

Loads will be slung and controlled by properly trained personnel Slings/Chains meet safety standards Signalling will be by properly trained personnel Proper maintenance of plant Oil spills will be cleaned up immediately Trucks will not be loaded above safe maximum level Operator will remain outside truck cabin while loading Operator care when loading required and immediate clean-up (& reporting) of any spills. Excavated material will be at least 1m from the excavation Uneven ground will be levelled as soon as possible Machines will be properly secured to allow authorised use only Properly trained personnel to carry out a risk assessment

Inadequate signalling to operator 7. Maintaining a safe and clean work area Loading trucks Oil spills from machine

Machinery breaks down

8.

Load spills

Injury to persons in vicinity

Injury to operators of plant loading trucks Environmental damage

9.

Making sure access is safe

Difficulty in accessing and exiting site

Damage to plant

10. Securing machine when not in use 11. Excavating in confined spaces

Tampering with or unauthorised use of machines Low oxygen levels, dust, fumes

Injury to persons if fall into/onto work area Machine unable to work due to damage Suffocation, inundation

12. Excavating contaminated soil

Contaminated spoils

Poisoning injury from contaminated spoils

Operator will be properly trained to work in confined spaces Principal contractor to induct operator into contaminated soil procedures Operator will wear long clothing, remain in cabin and wash before eating If asbestos found, STOP immediately advise foreman and implement correct disposal procedures Excavations greater than 1.5m properly planned with appropriate shoring or benching to suit soil type

13. Deep pit or trench collapses

Plant over turns with operator Person in pit trapped or buried

Operator trapped or buried Operator or worker trapped or buried

Personnel qualifications and experience

High Risk Plant Operators licence Workcover Work Health and Safety certificate

Personnel duties and responsibilities

Operator to be competent Operator to be responsible

Training required
Work Health and Safety certificate (White Card) Licence and Training specific to specialised tasks Site induction Inducted to track safe awareness

Track safe awareness certificate Excavation experience

Operator to work in a professional manner

Codes of Practice, Australian Standards, Legislation

Code of Practice for Excavation work Work Health and Safety Act 2011 Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

Plant and equipment

Bobcats, backhoes, excavators, drotts, trucks Attachments: hammer, auger, broom, forks

Water carts, manitou , chain trenchers, graders, profilers Hard hats, safety vests, ear muffs, dust masks, goggles, safety footwear, other protective clothing as required

Plant maintenance
Maintenance and safety checks to be carried out on all machinery and attachments daily Plant to be serviced regularly according to manufacturers recommendations Log books to be filled in daily and kept with machine

This Safe Work Method Statement has been prepared and approved for use by:

Signed :

RISK RANKING
1 2 3 4 5 Immediate action must be taken Action should be taken Action should be taken in the near term Action should be taken within an intermediate period Monitor and reassess at regular intervals