Does a 1.2 metre trench need a SWMS?

The excavation category starts at 1.5 metres — but the job can still require a SWMS through other categories: mobile plant, work near roads, or work near underground services that are energised or pressurised. Check the whole job, not just the depth.

Are Before You Dig plans enough to start digging?

No. The plans show what should be there, at roughly the marked alignment. You must positively locate services by potholing before mechanical excavation near them — plans are step one, not clearance.

When does an excavation need shoring versus battering?

That is a call for a competent person based on soil type, depth, water and vibration. The SWMS should record which method was chosen and why, and require re-inspection after rain or nearby plant movement — ground conditions change mid-job.

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Excavation SWMS template

Trenching and excavation including service location and ground support.

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A cubic metre of soil weighs about 1.5 tonnes, and a trench wall lets go without warning. Excavation deeper than 1.5 metres is its own high risk construction work category, and most excavation jobs trigger a second one — powered mobile plant — before the first bucket hits the ground.

This template covers trenching and excavation for services and footings: locating what is already in the ground, digging with plant around workers on foot, ground support, and getting people in and out of the trench safely.

What this SWMS covers

The typical scope of work the document describes, step by step. The builder lets you add, remove and reword steps so the sequence matches your actual job.

1Site set up and traffic management
2Locate underground services
3Excavate trench
4Support the excavation (batter, bench or shore)
5Install services or drainage
6Backfill and compact
7Restore surface

Hazards and example controls

The controls below are starting points ordered by the hierarchy of control — the builder helps you adapt them to the site and add your own.

Trench collapse burying workers

Batter, bench or shore any excavation people enter beyond 1.5 m
Keep spoil and plant back from the trench edge (zone of influence)
Competent person inspects ground support daily and after rain

Striking underground services

Obtain Before You Dig Australia plans before any excavation
Pothole by hand or vacuum to positively locate services
Treat every unidentified service as live until proven otherwise

Plant striking workers on foot

Exclusion zone around operating plant; one spotter controls entry
Positive communication between operator and ground crew
High-visibility clothing for everyone inside the work zone

Falls into the excavation

Barricade open excavations, especially overnight
Provide ladder access — no climbing trench walls or shoring

High risk construction work

Excavation deeper than 1.5 metres
Work involving powered mobile plant

Excavation deeper than 1.5 metres is a named category, and using an excavator adds the powered mobile plant category. Digging near live services can also bring in the energised-electrical or pressurised-gas categories — the service location step is what tells you which ones apply on this site.

All 18 high-risk categories explained

Common questions

Does a 1.2 metre trench need a SWMS?: The excavation category starts at 1.5 metres — but the job can still require a SWMS through other categories: mobile plant, work near roads, or work near underground services that are energised or pressurised. Check the whole job, not just the depth.
Are Before You Dig plans enough to start digging?: No. The plans show what should be there, at roughly the marked alignment. You must positively locate services by potholing before mechanical excavation near them — plans are step one, not clearance.
When does an excavation need shoring versus battering?: That is a call for a competent person based on soil type, depth, water and vibration. The SWMS should record which method was chosen and why, and require re-inspection after rain or nearby plant movement — ground conditions change mid-job.

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Before you start

Users are responsible for reviewing and adapting the SWMS to the actual worksite, work methods and applicable regulatory requirements before work begins.