SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT (SWMS)

Company / Business Name: Solid Walls Pty Ltd ABN: 12 345 678 901 Site Address: 42 Smith Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 Date Prepared: 15 October 2023

1. JOB DETAILS

Project / Job Name: Smith Street Backyard Retaining Wall Work Activity: Construction of Concrete Masonry Retaining Wall Start Date: 20 October 2023 Finish Date: 25 October 2023 Principal Contractor: Home Owner SWMS Specific No: SWMS-2023-045

2. HIGH RISK CONSTRUCTION WORK (HRCW)

This work is considered HRCW because it involves (check all that apply):

• Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres (Excavation)
• Excavation work deeper than 1.5 metres
• Structural alterations that require support
• Work near overhead powerlines
• Work in or near a confined space
• Use of powered mobile plant (Mini Excavator)

3. TASK BREAKDOWN & HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

Task / Step	Potential Hazard / Risk	Persons at Risk	Initial Risk Rating (L/M/H)
1. Site Setup	Slips/trips on uneven grass. Contact with low voltage electrical line.	Workers	H
2. Excavation (Trench 1.8m)	Trench collapse. Machinery rollover. Contact with digging damage equipment.	Workers	H
3. Material Delivery	Back injury lifting concrete blocks. Finger crush injuries.	Workers	M
4. Concrete Footing Pour	Chemical burns from cement. Lacerations from cutting mesh.	Workers	M
5. Block Laying & Core Filling	Falling blocks (2kg to 15kg). Height hazard (falling into trench).	Workers	H
6. Backfilling	Wall failure during compaction. Noise from compactor.	Workers	M

4. RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX

• Rating H (High): Immediate action required.
• Rating M (Medium): Controls needed.
• Rating L (Low): Monitor.

5. CONTROL MEASURES

Task / Step	Control Measures	Residual Risk Rating (L/M/H)
1. Site Setup	Isolate: Ezi-Dog markers identified for storm water and gas. Admin: Scissor lift for access under house. PPE: Safety boots, helmet, high viz.	L
2. Excavation	Engineer: Trench battered to 1:1 ratio (45 degrees) as per engineer spec. Isolate: Spotter for excavator. Admin: No person in trench while machine running. PPE: Class 2 Helmet, gloves.	L
3. Material Delivery	Engineer: Use blocks with lifting pins and mini excavator to unload. Substitute: Transport blocks in trolley to trench. Admin: Two person lift for <20kg only. PPE: Safety boots, gloves.	L
4. Concrete Footing	PPE: Rubber gloves, long sleeves, goggles. Substitute: Ready mix truck delivery to avoid hand mixing. Admin: Wash station available.	L
5. Block Laying	Admin: Steel planks bridged over trench for safe work platform. Substitute: Use brick lifting tongs. PPE: Safety glasses (hazard of snapping lifting eyes).	L
6. Backfilling	Engineer: Backfill in 300mm layers with 24 hour cure between layers. Admin: Plant compactor 500mm from wall face. PPE: Ear muffs.	L

6. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Mandatory for all workers:

• Safety Helmet (Class 2)
• High Visibility Clothing
• Safety Boots (Steel capped)
• Sun Protection

Task Specific:

• Eye Protection
• Hearing Protection
• Dust Mask
• Gloves
• Wet Weather Gear

7. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

• First Aid: Located in Site Vehicle Ute
• Emergency Services: 000
• Hospital: Royal Brisbane Hospital
• Emergency Assembly Point: Front driveway on street
• Fire: Extinguisher in Site Vehicle
• Incident Reporting: Call Site Supervisor John immediately.

8. TRAINING & COMPETENCY

• All workers inducted on 20/10/23.
• Mini Excavator Ticket held by John Smith (Lic No. 555123).

9. SIGN OFF

Worker Name	Signature	Date
John Smith	J. Smith	20/10/23
Mark Jones	M. Jones	20/10/23

Principal Contractor / PCBU Representative: Name: John Smith Signature: J. Smith Date: 20/10/23