SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT (SWMS)

Company / Business Name: [ENTER COMPANY NAME] ABN: [ENTER ABN] Site Address: [ENTER SITE ADDRESS] Date Prepared: [ENTER DATE]

1. JOB DETAILS

Project / Job Name: [ENTER PROJECT NAME] Work Activity: Retaining Wall Construction Start Date: [ENTER START DATE] Finish Date: [ENTER FINISH DATE] Principal Contractor: [ENTER PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR] SWMS Specific No: [ENTER NUMBER]

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 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

3. TASK BREAKDOWN & HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

Task / Step	Potential Hazard / Risk	Persons at Risk	Initial Risk Rating (L/M/H)
1. Site Setup & Underground Service Location	Hitting underground services (gas, electric). Slips/trips on uneven ground.	Workers, Public	H
2. Excavation & Earthworks	Trench collapse / ground failure. Manual handling injuries. Contact with buried objects.	Workers	H
3. Material Handling (Blocks, Sleepers, Gravel)	Strain injuries from lifting. Crush injuries from dropping loads.	Workers	M
4. Base Preparation & Concrete Pouring	Cement burns. Skin irritation. Exposure to silica dust. Noise from equipment.	Workers	M
5. Wall Construction (Installation)	Working at heights (if wall is tall). Falling blocks/materials. Use of power tools (cuts, noise).	Workers	H
6. Backfilling & Compaction	Collapse of wall structure during backfill. Musculoskeletal strain. Noise/Vibration.	Workers	M

4. RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX

Consequence: 1 (Minor) to 5 (Fatality) | Likelihood: 1 (Rare) to 5 (Certain)

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

5. CONTROL MEASURES

Task / Step	Control Measures (Hierarchy of Controls)	Residual Risk Rating (L/M/H)
1. Site Setup & Service Location	Consult: Check Dial Before You Dig plans. Isolate: Identify markers. Admin: Tool box talk to review plans. PPE: Safety boots, high viz.	M
2. Excavation & Earthworks	Engineer: Use battering or trench shields for trenches >1.5m. Admin: Keep workers away from excavator swing radius. Admin: Exclusion zone for machinery. PPE: Safety boots, high viz, gloves.	L
3. Material Handling	Substitute: Use mechanical aids (crane, bobcat, dingo) for heavy loads. Admin: Team lifting technique for manual loads. Admin: Rotate tasks to avoid fatigue. PPE: Gloves, safety boots.	M
4. Base Preparation & Concrete	Substitute: Use pre-mixed concrete. Engineer: Use wet cutting methods to control dust. PPE: Gloves, long sleeves, goggles, dust mask, hearing protection.	L
5. Wall Construction	Substitute: Use blocks with handles for grip. Admin: Ensure stable footing. Admin: Do not stack blocks too high. PPE: Safety glasses, gloves, dust mask.	L
6. Backfilling	Engineer: Compact in layers as per engineer specs. Admin: Ensure drainage is installed correctly. Admin: Visual inspection of wall integrity.	L

6. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Mandatory for all workers:

• Safety Helmet (Class 1 or 2)
• High Visibility Clothing
• Safety Boots (Steel capped)
• Sun Protection (Hat, sunscreen, long sleeves)

Task Specific:

• Eye Protection (Safety glasses/goggles)
• Hearing Protection (Ear muffs/plugs)
• Dust Mask (P2/N95)
• Gloves (Rubber/Leather)
• Wet Weather Gear

7. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

• First Aid: Location of First Aid Kit: [ENTER LOCATION] | First Aid Officer: [ENTER NAME]
• Emergency Services: 000
• Hospital: Nearest hospital is [ENTER HOSPITAL]
• Emergency Assembly Point: [ENTER LOCATION]
• Fire: Extinguishers located at [ENTER LOCATION]
• Incident Reporting: Report all incidents to [ENTER SUPERVISOR NAME] immediately.

8. TRAINING & COMPETENCY

• All workers must receive a site induction.
• High Risk Work Licences held: [ENTER LICENSE NUMBERS]
• Plant operator tickets held: [ENTER TICKET NUMBERS]

9. SIGN OFF

I have read and understood this SWMS and agree to follow the control measures.

Worker Name	Signature	Date
[ENTER NAME]	[SIGN]	[DATE]
[ENTER NAME]	[SIGN]	[DATE]
[ENTER NAME]	[SIGN]	[DATE]
[ENTER NAME]	[SIGN]	[DATE]

Principal Contractor / PCBU Representative: Name: [ENTER NAME] Signature: [SIGN] Date: [DATE]