When do I need an excavation SWMS template?

When the work is in a trench or shaft with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 metres. That is HRCW. Shoring, battering, services and a rescue plan are part of the SWMS, not a toolbox chat.

Is the excavation SWMS free?

Trial generate and PDF, no card. This Springfield Lakes sewer trench is an example layout — sand in QLD is not clay in VIC.

SWMS or JSA for a shallow service trench?

Under 1.5 m, no collapse risk of that kind, no other HRCW: a JSA may be enough. The moment you go deeper, or you put a person in the hole, use this SWMS. Don’t “average” the depth on paper.

Valid in NSW, VIC, QLD and WA?

Yes — WHS Act/Regulation, or Victoria’s OHS Act 2004 and OHS Regulations 2017. Dial Before You Dig / Before You Dig Australia still applies everywhere.

Excavation SWMS Template Australia | Trench > 1.5 m

New dwelling. Excavator cuts a connection trench to the council sewer — deeper than 1.5 m at the tie-in. Sandy ground, a water main marked on the BYDA plan, and a person in the hole to make the joint.

Job / task: Excavate and lay sewer connection in a trench deeper than 1.5 m
Site: New dwelling lot, Springfield Lakes QLD 4300
Document: SWMS · HRCW: trench > 1.5 m · example only
PPE: Hard hat, hi-vis, steel-caps, glasses, gloves, P2 when cutting pipe

Example layout. A person in a trench deeper than 1.5 m needs shoring or a batter that actually works in that ground — not a hope. Unexpected ACM in old pipe: asbestos SWMS.

Step	Hazards	Controls	5×5 risk
1. BYDA, locate services, and set the exclusion around the excavator Responsible: Supervisor	Strike on the marked water main or an unmarked power People in the swing radius Spoil piled on the trench lip	Current BYDA; pothole the water main by hand before the bucket goes near it Spotter; no one inside the radius; hard hats Spoil back from the lip so it cannot fall in or surcharge the wall	InitialL4×C5 = 20 Critical ResidualL2×C5 = 10 High
2. Excavate, batter or shore once the depth hits 1.5 m Responsible: Plant operator / leading hand	Wall collapse in sand Plant overturn on the lip Water ingress after a storm overnight	Shoring boxes or a designed batter before anyone enters; no “quick duck in” Keep the excavator back; don’t travel along a weak lip Pump and inspect after rain; don’t enter a flooded box	InitialL4×C5 = 20 Critical ResidualL2×C5 = 10 High
3. Worker in the trench to lay pipe and make the sewer joint Responsible: Drainer	Collapse / engulfment Atmosphere in a deep, still trench Cuts from the saw on PVC	Stay inside the shored length; ladder in the box; observer at the top at all times If it smells wrong or feels close — get out; this can become confined space Cut on the surface; glasses; lower the pipe, don’t throw it	InitialL3×C5 = 15 High ResidualL2×C5 = 10 High
4. Backfill, compact, remove shoring Responsible: Leading hand	Shoring pulled too early Plant reversing over the open end Services pulled by compaction	Backfill in layers as the box is extracted; never an unsupported vertical face with a person in it Spotter on reverse; exclusion until the hole is gone Hand work around the potholed main	InitialL3×C5 = 15 High ResidualL2×C5 = 10 High

Excavation SWMS template Australia

Trench deeper than 1.5 m is HRCW

Filled example: sewer connection trench, Springfield Lakes QLD

Frequently asked questions

Generate an excavation SWMS for this trench