Excavation & Trenching SWMS Templates
Trenching, earthmoving, shaft excavation and work near underground services — across every trade that digs.
10 excavation documents
Written for the trade that does the digging — across 6 trades. Editable Word format, instant download.
Under the model WHS Regulations, excavating a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 metres is high risk construction work — that is s.291(g) — and constructing a tunnel is high risk construction work at any depth. Once work is high risk construction work, s.299 requires a safe work method statement to be prepared before it starts, and s.301 requires a copy to go to the principal contractor.
The 1.5 metre figure is not the whole test. A shallower dig is still high risk construction work whenever another s.291 category applies to the same job — service trenches routinely run near energised electrical, gas or fuel lines, and each of those is its own category.
Excavation work is carried out by a lot of different trades, so these documents are filed under the trade that performs the work: a service trench under Plumbing, a site cut under Civil Works, a mini excavator under Landscaping. This page collects every one of them in a single place. Each document opens on its own page, where it can be bought individually or as part of that trade's pack.
Excavation work these documents cover
- Trench excavation for services, water and sewer
- Bulk earthmoving and site cut
- Excavation and earthworks on demolition sites
- Working near underground services
- Excavator, bobcat and mini excavator operation
- Pool excavation and benching
- Irrigation and cable trenching
Every excavation document — $67.95 each
Each document opens on its own page, where you can buy it on its own or as part of that trade's complete pack.
| Document | Trade | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Trench Excavation for Services — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe work procedures for trench excavation and installation of civil services including water, sewer, gas, and telecommunications conduits in urban and greenfield environments. What's inside this document
4 work steps
6 hazards identified
6 control measures
5 PPE items specified
2 AS/NZS standards cited
5×5 risk matrix
Worker sign-off section
Legislation Referenced
WHS Reg 2011 r.306 (excavation work)
WHS Reg 2011 r.307 (ground conditions — excavation)
WHS Reg 2011 r.305 (excavation work — shoring)
PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards)
Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801)
Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3)
Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1)
Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1)
Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1)
Australian Standards Referenced
AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear
AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear
|
Civil Works | $67.95 |
|
Bulk Earthmoving and Site Cut — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe work procedures for bulk earthmoving operations including site clearing, cut and fill, stockpiling, and site levelling using excavators, dozers, scrapers, and dump trucks. What's inside this document
5 work steps
8 hazards identified
8 control measures
5 PPE items specified
2 AS/NZS standards cited
5×5 risk matrix
Worker sign-off section
Legislation Referenced
WHS Reg 2011 r.214 (management of risks to health and safety)
WHS Reg 2011 r.291 (high risk construction work)
WHS Reg 2011 r.213 (duty to identify hazards)
PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards)
Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801)
Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3)
Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1)
Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1)
Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1)
Australian Standards Referenced
AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear
AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear
|
Civil Works | $67.95 |
|
Excavation and Earthworks — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe work procedures for excavation and earthworks including trenching, bulk excavation, benching, shoring, and working near underground services on construction and demolition sites. What's inside this document
5 work steps
6 hazards identified
6 control measures
5 PPE items specified
3 AS/NZS standards cited
5×5 risk matrix
Worker sign-off section
Legislation Referenced
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 306 (excavation)
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 305 (ground conditions)
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(g) - Excavation of a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 metres, or a tunnel
PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards)
Hard hat (AS/NZS 1801)
High-visibility vest (AS/NZS 4602.1)
Safety footwear (AS/NZS 2210.3)
Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1)
Hearing protection (AS/NZS 1270)
Australian Standards Referenced
Safe Work Australia Code of Practice — Excavation work
AS 2601 — The demolition of structures
AS/NZS 4602.1 — High visibility safety garments
|
Demolition | $67.95 |
|
Working Near Underground Services — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe work procedures for excavation and ground penetration activities near underground services including electrical cables, gas mains, water pipes, and telecommunications infrastructure. What's inside this document
4 work steps
5 hazards identified
5 control measures
5 PPE items specified
3 AS/NZS standards cited
5×5 risk matrix
Worker sign-off section
Legislation Referenced
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 306 (excavation)
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(g) - Excavation of a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 metres, or a tunnel
PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards)
Hard hat (AS/NZS 1801)
High-visibility vest (AS/NZS 4602.1)
Safety footwear (rubber-soled) (AS/NZS 2210.3)
Insulated gloves (near electrical services) (AS/NZS 2225)
Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1)
Australian Standards Referenced
Safe Work Australia Code of Practice — Excavation work
Dial Before You Dig guidelines
AS/NZS 2225 — Insulating gloves for electrical purposes
|
Demolition | $67.95 |
|
Excavation and Trenching for Plumbing — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe work procedures for all excavation and trenching operations associated with plumbing work including trench preparation, shoring, benching, and safe entry requirements. What's inside this document
5 work steps
9 hazards identified
9 control measures
6 PPE items specified
4 AS/NZS standards cited
5×5 risk matrix
Worker sign-off section
Legislation Referenced
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 306 — excavation work
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 305 — notification of certain excavation work
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 60 — manual tasks
PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards)
Hard hat (AS/NZS 1801)
Safety footwear (AS/NZS 2210.3)
Hi-vis clothing (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1)
Personal 4-gas monitor (AS/NZS 60079.29.1)
Hearing protection (AS/NZS 1270)
Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1)
Australian Standards Referenced
AS/NZS 3500.2 — Plumbing and drainage — Sanitary plumbing and drainage
AS 4799 — Installation of underground utility services and pipelines within railway boundaries
AS/NZS 2865 — Confined spaces (for deep trench entry)
AS/NZS 4602.1 — High visibility safety garments
|
Plumbing | $67.95 |
|
Site Earthworks, Grading and Levelling — Safe Work Method Statement
Covers site clearing, cut-and-fill earthworks, grading and levelling operations using plant and hand tools. Includes soil compaction, removal of vegetation and debris, and establishment of finished surface levels to design specifications. What's inside this document
5 work steps
10 hazards identified
10 control measures
5 PPE items specified
2 AS/NZS standards cited
5×5 risk matrix
Worker sign-off section
Legislation Referenced
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(g) - Excavation to depth greater than 1.5m
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 306 - Specific control measure — excavation work
WHS Reg 2011, Part 3.1 - Managing risks to health and safety
PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards)
Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801)
Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3)
Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1)
Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1)
Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1)
Australian Standards Referenced
AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear
AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear
|
Landscaping | $67.95 |
|
Bobcat and Mini Excavator Operations — Safe Work Method Statement
Covers operation of skid-steer loaders (bobcats) and mini excavators for landscaping tasks including site clearing, material spreading, trenching, grading and loading. Includes pre-start checks, safe operating procedures, working near services and pedestrian management. What's inside this document
5 work steps
10 hazards identified
10 control measures
5 PPE items specified
2 AS/NZS standards cited
5×5 risk matrix
Worker sign-off section
Legislation Referenced
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(g) - Excavation to depth greater than 1.5m
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(o) - Work involving movement of powered mobile plant
WHS Reg 2011, Part 3.1 - Managing risks to health and safety
PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards)
Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801)
Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3)
Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1)
Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1)
Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1)
Australian Standards Referenced
AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear
AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear
|
Landscaping | $67.95 |
|
Irrigation System Installation and Trenching — Safe Work Method Statement
Covers trenching and installation of irrigation pipework, sprinkler heads, drip systems, solenoid valves and controllers. Includes connection to mains water supply, electrical wiring of controllers and solenoid valves, and system commissioning and pressure testing. What's inside this document
5 work steps
8 hazards identified
8 control measures
5 PPE items specified
2 AS/NZS standards cited
5×5 risk matrix
Worker sign-off section
Legislation Referenced
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 306 - Specific control measure — excavation work
WHS Reg 2011, Part 3.1 - Managing risks to health and safety
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 36 - Hierarchy of control measures
PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards)
Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801)
Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3)
Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1)
Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1)
Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1)
Australian Standards Referenced
AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear
AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear
|
Landscaping | $67.95 |
|
Underground Cable Laying — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe work procedures for the excavation and laying of underground electrical cables including trenching, conduit installation, cable pulling, backfilling, and jointing for residential and commercial power supply. What's inside this document
5 work steps
6 hazards identified
6 control measures
6 PPE items specified
4 AS/NZS standards cited
5×5 risk matrix
Worker sign-off section
Legislation Referenced
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 306 (excavation)
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 147 (electrical work)
WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291 (SWMS for high risk)
PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards)
Hard hat (AS/NZS 1801)
High-visibility vest (AS/NZS 4602.1)
Safety footwear (AS/NZS 2210.3)
Insulated gloves (AS/NZS 2225)
Hearing protection (AS/NZS 1270)
Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1)
Australian Standards Referenced
AS/NZS 3000 — Wiring Rules
AS/NZS 3008 — Electrical installations – Selection of cables
AS/NZS 3012 — Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites
Safe Work Australia Code of Practice — Excavation work
|
Electrical / HVAC / Solar | $67.95 |
|
Swimming Pool Excavation and Benching — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe work procedures for excavation of swimming pool shells including bulk dig, benching, shaping to design profile, spoil removal, and dewatering operations. What's inside this document
5 work steps
6 hazards identified
6 control measures
5 PPE items specified
2 AS/NZS standards cited
5×5 risk matrix
Worker sign-off section
Legislation Referenced
WHS Reg 2011 r.291 (high risk construction work)
WHS Reg 2011 r.306 (excavation work)
WHS Reg 2011 r.307 (ground conditions — excavation)
PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards)
Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801)
Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3)
Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1)
Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1)
Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1)
Australian Standards Referenced
AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear
AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear
|
Swimming Pool Construction | $67.95 |
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Excavation & Trenching SWMS — Common Questions
Do I need a SWMS for excavation work?
Yes, once a shaft or trench passes an excavated depth of 1.5 metres, which is high risk construction work under the model WHS Regulations s.291(g), and for a tunnel at any depth. A safe work method statement must then be prepared before the work starts under s.299. Shallower excavations still require one whenever another s.291 category applies — most commonly work near energised electrical services.
How is the 1.5 metre depth measured?
The trigger is the excavated depth of the shaft or trench measured from the natural surface level. Tunnelling is high risk construction work at any depth. This is the same category and numbering in New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania, which all run the model WHS Regulations.
Does excavation work in Victoria need a SWMS?
Victoria runs its own scheme. The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic) require a SWMS-equivalent for high risk construction work under Reg 327, and trenches deeper than 1.5 metres are within scope. The content requirements match the national model, but the document must cite the Victorian legislation rather than the WHS Regulations.
Why are these documents listed under different trades?
Because the work is. A service trench, a bulk site cut and a pool excavation are different jobs with different plant, different hazards and different competencies, so each document is written for the trade that performs it. Buying the one that matches your scope gives you a document that reads like your job rather than a generic dig.
Are these documents editable?
Yes. Every document is supplied in editable Microsoft Word format so you can add your business details, project specifics and site conditions. A SWMS must reflect the actual work being carried out, and it must be reviewed and revised when the work or the control measures change under WHS Regulations s.302.
Last updated: September 2026