SWMS and safety docs for landscapers
Do landscapers need a SWMS?
On a lot of jobs, yes. Bobcats and excavators moving around the site, trenches deeper than 1.5 metres, work on verges next to live traffic and retaining walls near pools under construction can all be high risk construction work that needs a SWMS.
High risk work that comes up for landscapers
These are the high risk construction work categories landscapers run into most. If a job includes any of them, a SWMS is needed before the work starts.
| High risk construction work | Where it comes up |
|---|---|
| Powered mobile plant moving around Work that is carried out in an area at a workplace in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant. | Bobcats, mini excavators and tippers moving around the yard. |
| Trenches or shafts deeper than 1.5 metres, or tunnels Work that is carried out in or near a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 metres, or a tunnel. | Drainage, footings and retaining wall cuts. |
| Next to roads or other traffic Work that is carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor that is in use by traffic other than pedestrians. | Verge and front yard work next to a road in use. |
| Water with a drowning risk Work that is carried out in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning. | Pools, ponds and dams where there is a drowning risk. |
| Falls of more than 2 metres Work that involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres. | Retaining walls and cut batters with a drop of more than 2 metres. |
What we would put in your Trade Pack
The Trade Pack is 5 SWMS covering the jobs you do most: $299 Ready to Go, or $795 Fully Custom, including GST. For landscapers, these five are a common starting point. Swap any of them for the work you do most.
- Bobcat and mini excavator work
- Retaining walls and excavation
- Verge work next to traffic
- Cutting pavers and stone (silica dust)
- Digging near underground services
Other docs landscapers ask for
- SOPs for machine pre-starts and trailer loading
- An induction pack for seasonal workers
- A WHS Starter Kit with a risk register
Worth knowing
Cutting pavers, bricks and stone with power tools throws off silica dust. The model WHS laws have their own rules for processing materials that contain crystalline silica: you assess whether the work is high risk and, if it is, you need a silica risk control plan or a SWMS that covers it.
Prices
| Doc | Ready to Go | Fully Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Single SWMS: One high risk task or job | $79 | $195 |
| Trade Pack: 5 SWMS covering the jobs you do most | $299 | $795 |
| WHS Starter Kit: Safety policy, risk register, incident forms, toolbox talk template | $299 | $895 |
| Single SOP: One process, step by step | $59 | $95 |
| SOP Manual: Up to 10 SOPs: quoting, onboarding, equipment checks and more | $449 | $995 |
| Induction Pack: Induction checklist, sign-off sheet and site rules | $59 | $195 |
| Staff Handbook: Policies, expectations and the way you do things | $359 | $495 |
| Safety Checklist Pack: Site inspection, vehicle and plant pre-start and end-of-day pack-up checklists | $49 | $195 |
| Onsite Safety Audit: We look at how the work is done, check it against your paperwork and give you a written list of what to fix | Not offered | $495 |
Prices include GST.
Other trades
Builders and carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers and gasfitters, Painters, Roofers, Concreters, Cleaning businesses