What civil works are covered
Civil works include earthworks, roadwork, drainage, and infrastructure preparation. Many of these activities overlap with high risk construction work, such as work in or near a trench deeper than 1.5 metres, work in areas where powered mobile plant is moving, and work on or adjacent to a road or traffic corridor in use by traffic other than pedestrians. Where any of these apply, a SWMS is required before work begins.
A civil works SWMS should identify the specific tasks, the ground and weather conditions, the location of services, and the interface with the public or other road users. The document should be specific to the scope of work rather than a generic site safety plan.
Public interface and traffic management
Civil works often take place near or on live roads, footpaths, and other public areas. Work on, in, or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane, or other traffic corridor in use by traffic other than pedestrians is high risk construction work and requires a SWMS. Traffic management is a critical control, separating workers and plant from vehicles and pedestrians.
The SWMS should describe the traffic management plan, the role of traffic controllers, signage and barriers, and how the work area is set up and dismantled. It should also address how the public is kept away from the work area and how the work is staged to limit exposure.
Ground conditions and services
Ground conditions in civil works can change quickly with weather, groundwater, and the nature of the soil. Excavation and earthworks carry a risk of ground collapse, and wet conditions can destabilise slopes and stockpiles. The SWMS should address how ground stability is assessed and maintained.
Underground and overhead services should be identified before work begins. The SWMS should describe how services are located, how work near them is controlled, and what happens if an unexpected service is found. Environmental controls such as dust, erosion, and runoff should also be addressed.
Documentation for civil works
A practical civil works SWMS sets out each step of the work, the hazard at each step, and the control. It should cover earthworks, traffic management, services, and emergency response. SOPs for specific tasks or equipment support the SWMS by giving workers practical operational instructions.
The PCBU must review and adapt the SWMS for the specific site before it is used, because civil works sites vary in ground conditions, traffic exposure, and scope.