Civil Works

Under the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, SWMS are mandatory for all high-risk construction work as defined in Schedule 3. For civil works, this includes excavation work involving trenches or shafts deeper than 1.5 metres or tunnelling operations; work carried out on or near pressurised gas mains or piping; work on telecommunications towers; work involving demolition of load-bearing structures; work on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines; work on or near energised electrical installations or services; work involving use of explosives; and work on a road or adjacent to traffic moving at more than 40 km/h. Additionally, civil projects often involve other high-risk activities including work at height, confined spaces, and diving work. Even when not legally required, developing SWMS for civil activities demonstrates best practice safety management and may be contractually required by clients or principal contractors. PCBUs should assess each civil works activity against the Schedule 3 criteria and develop comprehensive SWMS for all applicable tasks.

Managing underground service risks requires a systematic approach combining multiple control measures. Before any excavation, submit dial-before-you-dig requests to identify the location of underground services from all relevant asset owners. Engage qualified locators to conduct ground-penetrating radar or electromagnetic location surveys, marking all detected services with spray paint and/or marker pegs. Develop site-specific exclusion zones around identified services, typically requiring hand digging within 300-500mm of marked locations. Implement positive identification procedures requiring physical exposure and visual confirmation of services before mechanical excavation proceeds within proximity zones. Ensure excavator operators hold appropriate licences and receive site-specific briefings on service locations and protection requirements. Maintain communication with service authorities during works, particularly for high-risk services like pressurised gas or high-voltage electrical cables. Document all service location activities and maintain records of dial-before-you-dig responses and locator reports. Despite these controls, remain vigilant as services may be incorrectly marked, unrecorded services may exist, and service depths can vary. Never assume absence of services—treat all excavation activities as if services are present until proven otherwise through positive identification procedures.

Traffic management for civil works must comply with AS 1742.3 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Part 3: Traffic Control for Works on Roads, and relevant state road authority requirements. Personnel implementing traffic control must hold current traffic controller accreditation (formerly RII30915 Certificate III in Civil Construction or equivalent) or traffic management designer qualifications for complex sites. Before commencing roadworks, develop a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) or Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS) designed by a qualified person, showing all traffic control devices, lane configurations, detour routes, and speed restrictions. Submit the TMP to the relevant road authority for approval, allowing adequate processing time (often 10-20 business days for complex sites). Ensure all traffic control devices including signs, cones, barriers, and delineators comply with Australian Standards and are appropriately sized for the speed environment. Implement adequate advance warning distances calculated based on approach speeds, with warning signs placed at specified intervals to alert motorists before reaching the work zone. Provide clear sight lines and avoid creating hazardous chicanes or sudden lane shifts. For night works, ensure adequate lighting and use reflective signage and delineation. Conduct regular inspections of traffic control devices, replacing damaged or displaced items immediately. Brief all workers on traffic management arrangements and ensure everyone understands their responsibilities regarding the TMP. Consider engaging professional traffic management companies for complex or high-risk road environments.

Excavations deeper than 1.5 metres require protection against collapse through shoring, battering, or benching in accordance with AS 2187.1 Explosives - Storage and Use. Engage a competent person (typically a geotechnical engineer) to classify soil types and determine appropriate protection methods based on soil classification (Type A, B, or C), excavation depth, groundwater conditions, and proximity to structures or loads. For trenches between 1.5-4 metres deep in stable soil, options include hydraulic shoring systems with adjustable spreaders and plates, trench shields (non-compliant for worker protection but acceptable for short-duration access), or battering at appropriate angles (typically 45 degrees for Type C soils, up to 90 degrees for Type A rock). Excavations deeper than 4 metres require engineered designs specific to site conditions. Install shoring progressively as excavation proceeds—never excavate ahead of protection systems. Inspect shoring daily and after rain events or vibration-producing activities, with inspections documented and defects rectified immediately. Provide safe access and egress at maximum 8-metre intervals for excavations deeper than 2 metres. Install edge protection barriers at least 1.2 metres from excavation edges to prevent vehicles and mobile plant approaching the unstable zone. Implement exclusion zones preventing personnel from working beneath suspended loads when placing or removing shoring. Engage competent operators experienced in excavation work and ensure they understand soil mechanics and collapse risks. Remember that excavation collapse is typically rapid and catastrophic—if shoring is required, it must be installed before workers enter the excavation.

Silica dust management in civil works requires compliance with the revised workplace exposure standard of 0.05 mg/m³ time-weighted average. Implement the hierarchy of control starting with elimination where possible by specifying alternative materials or pre-cut products. Where cutting concrete, asphalt, or masonry is unavoidable, apply engineering controls as the primary method: water suppression through on-tool extraction systems for concrete saws and grinders; enclosed cutting systems for kerb saws and road profilers; and wet cutting methods for all concrete cutting operations. Ensure equipment maintenance keeps dust suppression systems functioning effectively. Implement administrative controls including job rotation to reduce individual exposure duration, work scheduling during favourable wind conditions, and regular air monitoring using personal sampling pumps to quantify exposure levels. Provide respiratory protective equipment (RPE) including P2/P3 particulate respirators for all workers exposed to silica dust, with fit testing conducted before initial use and annually thereafter. Establish RPE programs including training on correct donning, doffing, and maintenance procedures. Conduct health surveillance including baseline and periodic medical examinations for workers with potential silica exposure, with chest X-rays and respiratory function testing to detect early signs of silicosis. Maintain exposure records and health monitoring results for 30 years as required by regulations. Develop site-specific Silica Dust Management Plans identifying all silica-generating activities, proposed controls, air monitoring schedules, and health surveillance arrangements. Provide comprehensive training to all workers on silica risks, recognising exposure situations, and correct use of controls. Remember that silica-related diseases develop over years of exposure, making prevention through effective controls critical as there is no cure for silicosis once developed.