SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT

DOC DOC Spencer

SWMW5 VERSION 4
EXCAVATION, TRENCHING AND UNDERGROUND ID OWNER Mackinnon

SERVICES ACTIVE DATE 16/04/13 REVIEW DATE 16/04/14

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. The control measures listed in this SWMS must
be implemented on site. The Key Safety messages provide a summary of the essential control measures. If other hazards are identified that are not
identified in this SWMS a Risk Assessment for the new hazard must be completed.

KEY SAFETY MESSAGES

Excavation:
1. Do not assume you know where utility cables and pipes MIGHT be; you must contact underground service providers for prescribed information (DBYD
Dial Before You Dig).
2. Use all available methods to locate the services:
o Maps.
o Cable avoidance tool (CAT).
o Pot holing with hand tools, shovels and trowels. (Insulated if working near electrical services.)
o Use of Vac truck and/or locator by a location company. (Always use Vac truck and locator on work within the CBD)
3. Do not use the PLANT until you have the prescribed information from underground service providers (e.g. DBYD).
4. Support and shield exposed services (seek advice from the service authority);
5. Mark all exposed / identified services with flags, devices or mark with paint that can be readily seen; ensure all marked services continue to be visible
for the duration of the work.
6. When excavating, Employees (excepting the operator) MUST NOT be in physical contact with the excavating machine or equipment, in case it comes
into contact with live electrical cables.
7. No one is to be in the excavation whilst any plant is in operation within the excavation.

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Trenching:
8. Assess the stability of the site, and document the findings.
9. Ensure that the trench sides arent loaded.
o Keep spoil at least 1 m from the excavation.
o Keep spoil piles to a minimum height.
10. Where trenches pose a risk to the public barricade the trench, only workers involved with the trench will be in the work area.
11. If there is an exposed gas main or fuel line, there must be continuous gas detection.
12. A Risk Assessment (Record of Excavation Inspection Form) must be completed whenever one of the following events occur:
- Before and during commencement of excavation. - Excavation reaches a depth where there is a possibility of an injury
- Reaching a depth of 1 meter. - Reaching a depth of 1.5 meters.
- Change of expected excavation dimensions. - Rain.
- Soil change. - After every break.
13. At trench depths greater than 1.5 m, or where there is a risk of collapse, if a worker intends entering a trench, then at least one of the following
measures MUST be implemented:
o Shoring or shielding (approved by competent person).
o Benching not higher than it is wide and no vertical face exceeding 1.0 m.
o Battering angle not exceeding 45 and bottom vertical face not exceeding 1 m.
14. Approval in writing by a geo-technical engineer must be obtained stating that the trench is safe to work in for trenches > 3 m deep. The approval
must be kept on site at all times.
15. Use a ladder to enter and exit the trench. (Ladders must not be more than 9 m apart and at least 1 m of the ladder must extend out of the trench.)
16. No petrol or diesel driven machinery is to be used in or near the trench.
17. Ascertain if the excavation and trench is a confined space; if so refer to the Confined Space Entry SWMS.
18. An emergency plan must be developed and rehearsed before work begins.
19. No one is to be in the excavation whilst any plant is in operation within the excavation.

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 Likelihood
1. Rare 2. Unlikely 3. Possible 4. Likely 5. Almost Certain
May occur in exceptional Could occur in some Might occur in some Will occur in most Is expected to occur; almost
circumstances; may happen circumstances; surprised if circumstances circumstances; not surprised inevitable
but highly unexpected it happens if it happens

E. Severe
Loss of life and / or permanent total High High High Extreme Extreme
disability / loss of capacity
Consequence

D. Major
Immediate admission to hospital and / Medium Medium High High Extreme
or permanent or long term partial
disability / partial loss of capacity
C. Moderate
LTI . Treatment by a registered medical
practitioner requiring ongoing Low Medium Medium High High
treatment, with no permanent
disability/loss of capacity.

B. Minor
First aid or registered medical Low Low Medium Medium High
practitioner treatment with no follow-
up required.
A. Insignificant
Near miss event /minor injury with no Low Low Low Medium Medium
treatment required
For further guidance on risk calculation and escalation, refer to PRO84- Risk Assessment Guide
Risk Ranking- Residual risk must be Low or Medium before any work commences
Low Medium High Extreme
Risk at acceptable levels Risk at acceptable levels **STOP THE JOB!** **STOP THE JOB!**
Supervisor OR Manager must Supervisor AND Manager must
approve and implement approve and implement
Controls must be maintained Controls must be maintained
appropriate controls before work appropriate controls before work
can proceed can proceed

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 HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CONTROL MEASURES

Inherent Risk Residual

Task/Activity Hazard/Risk Control Measures
Rating Risk
Rating

Planning of site, Hazard: E 1. Prescribed information (DBYD) must be obtained prior to any excavation work L
identification of not identifying commencing.
underground some underground 2. Dont rely on DBYD! Always conduct a comprehensive site inspection to identify services
services services that will be affected by proposed works and location of proposed works and any nearby
services.
3. Consider all possible services such as phone and optical cables, water and sewerage, gas,
electricity, stormwater drainage, irrigation and indirect services, survey marks and street
Risk: lighting electric cables.
Disconnecting a 4. Contact authorities for relevant information about the service (location, type, depth and
service, restrictions to be followed) including maps and information from QUU.
electrocution
5. All relevant prescribed information in writing and keep on site for the duration of the task.
The relevant person must consider the information supplied, follow any reasonable restrictions
and implement the necessary control measures. The information shall be kept on site at all
times.

Arrival at worksite Hazard: E 7. Assess site risks: The following activities must be completed before work starts each day M
Vehicle Traffic and at other times as appropriate
Manual handling a. Pre-start Site Risk Assessment.
Risk: b. Record of Excavation Inspection form.
Struck by traffic c. Check the condition of any barricading.
d. Ensure that all plant and equipment has been checked.
8. Determine the exclusion zones around plant and areas to be potholed. Make sure workers
Hazard: on QUU worksites are informed and acknowledge understanding of these exclusion zones.
Obstructions
9. Conduct a pre-start toolbox talk to ensure that all workers have been made fully aware of
Risk: the scope of work to be performed.
Slips, trips, falls,
10. Essential PPE for the task must be used:
falling from heights
a. All authorised staff to wear safety helmets inside assessed machine exclusion zone at
all times.
b. Safety helmets must be worn in areas where there is a risk of a person suffering a head
injury from falling, flying or moving objects.
c. Steel cap safety boots.

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 Inherent Risk Residual
Task/Activity Hazard/Risk Control Measures
Rating Risk
Rating

11. Protection for employees and others on QUU worksites and public from traffic must be in
accordance with:
SWMS7 Working on or adjacent to a Road or Railway.
12. Protection for employees and others on QUU worksites and public from falls must be by:
13. Barricading the job site when a risk assessment identifies the need.
(Barricade must be min 900mm in height.)

Locating the Hazard: E 14. Carry out a detailed site inspection and review the site against prescribed information and M
underground Gas lines, plans.
services electricity 15. Scan the site with a cable avoidance tool (CAT), if available.
Risk: 16. Potholing, using hand tools must be conducted (insulated equipment must be used if
Contact with working near electrical services).
services,
17. Only use plant once you have identified where the relevant services are located
electrocution,
(e.g. electricity, gas, telephone).
explosion
18. All onsite workers must be advised of the location of the services, in particular the
operator(s) of any plant working on the worksite.

Excavating around Hazard: E 19. Work parallel to any service(s) that is/are identified, use caution at all times. M
the located services Gas lines, 20. A trained observer must be onsite at all times to assist the plant operator(s) to maintain
electricity sight of the service(s).
Risk: 21. Support exposed services (seek advice from the service authority if required).
Contact with 22. Mark all exposed services with flags or devices that can be readily seen.
services,
23. Ensure all marked services continue to be visible for the duration of the work.
electrocution,
explosion, 24. NO EMPLOYEES (apart from operator) are to be in physical contact with any excavating
struck by plant machine or plant at any time whilst it is operating. (Do not touch plant!)
25. Refer to SWMS4 Operating Mobile Plant.
Trenching Hazard: E 26. Ensure trench sides arent loaded. Keep spoil at least 1 m from the excavation and keep L
loose soil, spoil piles to a maximum of 600mm.
excavation; 27. Continuous gas monitoring shall be required if working in the vicinity of known gas lines or
near a high traffic flow area.
Risk:
Trench collapse, 28. A Risk Assessment must be completed on the Record of Excavation Inspection form, by a
falling objects, competent person when the trench or excavation reaches a depth of 1m and other
occasions outlined on the form. Preventative actions must be taken if the risk assessment
indicates there is a risk of collapse: eg.

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 Inherent Risk Residual
Task/Activity Hazard/Risk Control Measures
Rating Risk
Rating
a. Shoring or shielding (approved by competent person).
Hazard: b. Benching not higher than it is wide and no vertical face exceeding 1.0 metres.
Manual handling c. Battering angle not exceeding 45 and bottom vertical face not exceeding 1.0
metres.
Risk:
Personal injury 29. Approval in writing by a geo-technical engineer must be obtained stating that the trench
is safe to work in for trenches > 3 m deep. The approval must be kept on site at all times.
Hazard: 30. Use an industrial strength rated ladder to enter and exit the trench.
Solar radiation 31. No petrol driven machinery is to be used in or near the trench.
Risk: 32. All tools and equipment shall be placed so that they cannot fall into the trench or
Heat stress excavation.
33. Minimise the length of open trench by back-filling the trench or excavation as soon as
possible.
34. Proximity of plant (including vehicles/trucks) to the top of the trench or excavation shall 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.
35. Minimise plant and equipment movement near trench or excavations.
36. Ascertain if the excavation and/or trench is a confined space. If so,
refer to the SWMS2 Confined Space Entry.
37. Work only from inside shored areas or from on top of stable backfill.
38. All workers must constantly monitor the stability of the trench or excavation walls.
39. If a change of shift is required, the site supervisor will hold a handover meeting with
incoming staff and supervisor to discuss the workplace and indicate any known hazards.
Public and Public: H 40. Barrier fencing OR Hoarding MUST be erected to prevent the public from entering L
Pedestrian safety Falling into hazardous areas of the work site. The height of the barrier fencing shall not be less than 900
excavation mm, and shall not be more than 100 mm from ground level.
41. Person in control of the job to control/monitor who enters the site and for what purpose
through a single entry point.
42. Detours from footpaths to side tracks or walkways should be clearly defined and kept clear
of any obstructions. (Provide access for wheelchairs and prams.)
43. Staff or traffic controllers to guide public along side tracks or walkways where/when
practicable.

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 Inherent Risk Residual
Task/Activity Hazard/Risk Control Measures
Rating Risk
Rating

Backfilling, Manual handling, H 44. Ensure a risk assessment is completed after the site is restored to a high standard and is L
site restoration obstructions, safe and clean, posing no risk to the public.
public safety, Refer to the SWMS12 - General Hazards
falling

In the event of a collapse:

Immediately contact Emergency Services by telephone (000) your supervisor and the WH&S Team. (07 3403 3210)
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 victims 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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 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 QUU Trenching, Excavation and Underground Services Standard
QLD Work Health & Safety Regulations 2011 Safe Work Method Statement General Hazards
Electrical Safety Act 2002 Safe Work Method Statement Working on or adjacent to a Road or Railway
Electrical Safety Regulations 2002 Safe Work Method Statement Confined Space Entry
Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice Safe Work Method Statement Operating Mobile Plant
Traffic Management Code of Practice (MUTCD) 2010 Safe Work Method Statement Working at Heights
How to Manage Work Health & Safety Risks Code of Practice
Environmental Protection Act

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