Safe Work Method Statement for Excavation / Earthmoving Contractors
The site-specific SWMS builders demand before your crew can start. Generated for excavation / earthmoving contractors in about 4 minutes, checked against our library of current state WHS citations, A$39 flat.
Trade packs from A$179 · 52-week toolbox talk pack +A$29 at checkout
When you need this document
A builder or principal contractor is asking for a site-specific SWMS before you can get on the job, or your work falls under a high risk construction work category and the law requires one before work starts.
What it covers for excavation / earthmoving work
Typical hazards addressed: trench and excavation collapse, underground service strikes, overhead powerlines, powered mobile plant near workers on foot, traffic on adjacent roads, water ingress. Citations from the Excavation / Earthmoving focus list:
- §reg 304 to reg 306: excavation duties, including support for trenches 1.5 m or deeper (shoring, benching, battering) and geotechnical advice
- §reg 36: hierarchy of controls for underground and overhead services (Dial Before You Dig, locating, potholing)
- §reg 81 and Schedule 3: high risk work licences where cranes or specific plant classes are used
- §reg 44 to reg 47: PPE duties (high-visibility clothing near plant)
What's inside
- ✓ Title block: PCBU, principal contractor, site address, prepared and review dates
- ✓ High risk construction work categories identified for your activity
- ✓ Step-by-step work method with hazards, risk ratings, and controls
- ✓ Controls in hierarchy order: eliminate, substitute, isolate, engineer, administer, PPE
- ✓ Plant, equipment, permits, licences, and training requirements
- ✓ Emergency procedures and review triggers
- ✓ Your state’s legislation cited (WHS Regulation, or OHS Regulations in Victoria)
- ✓ Worker consultation and sign-off block
What a safe work method statement costs everywhere else
Same document, three very different price tags and wait times.
| Safety consultant | Template shops | SWMS Pack | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | A$250 to A$1500 | A$19 to A$88 per template | A$39, packs from A$179 |
| Turnaround | 3 to 10 days | hours of DIY editing | ~4 minutes |
| Site-specific to this job | Yes | No, you fill in blanks | Yes |
| State-correct citations | Yes | Often generic or stale | Yes, verified against 80+ WHS citations |
| Victoria handled correctly | Yes | Rarely | Yes, OHS Regulations branch |
| Revisions when the builder asks | Billed hourly | You edit it yourself | Free within 24h |
Common questions
▸How fast can I get a safe work method statement?
About 4 minutes after the 10-minute questionnaire. It downloads instantly and a copy lands in your email.
▸Does it cover the WHS requirements for excavation / earthmoving work?
Yes. Excavation / Earthmoving documents are generated against a curated WHS focus list for the trade, and every regulation and Australian Standard citation is validated against a verified citations table before delivery. Victorian orders are written to the OHS Regulations 2017 instead.
▸What if the builder or principal contractor asks for changes?
Reply to your delivery email and we revise the document free within 24 hours.
Excavation / Earthmoving SWMS by state
Your SWMS is written to your state's legislation. Victoria uses its own OHS Regulations; the other states and territories follow the harmonised WHS laws.
Excavation / Earthmoving SWMS NSWExcavation / Earthmoving SWMS VICExcavation / Earthmoving SWMS QLDExcavation / Earthmoving SWMS WAExcavation / Earthmoving SWMS SAExcavation / Earthmoving SWMS TASExcavation / Earthmoving SWMS ACTExcavation / Earthmoving SWMS NT
Safe Work Method Statement for other trades
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Free tools and guides
Free SWMS template (PDF + Word)Working at heights SWMSExcavation SWMSConfined space entry permitSWMS vs JSA: the differenceSWMS requirements by stateThe 18 HRCW categoriesAll WHS documents for excavation / earthmovingsSWMS cost calculator