Civil construction work involves multiple high-risk activities including excavation, working near traffic, operating heavy plant, and working near underground services — all requiring SWMS under WHS Regulations s.291.
Our civil works SWMS pack covers 12 activities including road works, drainage installation, kerb and gutter construction, stormwater systems, earthmoving operations, and traffic management. Each document addresses hazards specific to civil construction such as trench collapse, underground service strikes, plant-pedestrian interactions, and exposure to traffic.
Key Hazards Covered
Trench collapse and excavation cave-in
Underground service strikes (gas, electricity, water, comms)
Plant-pedestrian interactions on site
Exposure to live traffic during road works
Manual handling of heavy pipes and materials
Silica dust from cutting concrete and masonry
Relevant Australian Standards
AS 4678 Earth-retaining structures
AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations
AS 1742 Manual of uniform traffic control devices
AS 2550 Cranes, hoists and winches
Individual Documents — $67.96 each
Civil Works SWMS — Common Questions
Do civil contractors need SWMS?
Yes. Most civil works involve high-risk activities including excavation (trenching over 1.5m), working near underground services, working adjacent to traffic, and operating powered mobile plant — all classified as high-risk construction work under WHS Regulations s.291.
What hazards are specific to civil works?
Key hazards include trench collapse, underground service strikes (gas, electrical, water, communications), plant-pedestrian collisions, live traffic exposure, manual handling of heavy pipes, and silica dust from concrete cutting.
Do these include traffic management SWMS?
Yes. Our civil works pack includes a dedicated traffic management SWMS covering traffic control plans, lane closures, signage requirements, and worker safety in live traffic environments — referenced to AS 1742.
Do I need a SWMS for civil works in Victoria?
Yes. Victoria is not part of the national WHS scheme, but the OHS Regulations 2017 (Vic) still require a SWMS-equivalent for high risk construction work such as trenching deeper than 1.5 metres, work near energised electrical installations, and work on or adjacent to a road, railway or other traffic corridor. Your civil works documents must be updated to cite the OHS Regulations 2017 (Vic) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) rather than the national references.
Does trenching need a SWMS if the trench is less than 1.5 metres deep?
A trench is high risk construction work once it is deeper than 1.5 metres under WHS Regulations s.291(g), so a SWMS is required before work starts. A shallower trench is not automatically high risk construction work, but a SWMS is still required if the job involves another high risk activity such as working near energised underground electrical installations or movement of powered mobile plant.
Does a small or residential civil job still need a SWMS?
Yes, if the work is high risk construction work, regardless of job size. A small residential driveway or drainage job still needs a SWMS before work starts if it involves trenching deeper than 1.5 metres, work near energised electrical installations, or powered mobile plant moving near workers, as defined in WHS Regulations s.291.