SWMS guide · updated November 2026

SWMS for concreters

Concreting sites usually involve moving powered mobile plant, often deep footings or trenches, and sometimes tilt-up or precast panels — all high risk construction work.

Common concreting tasks that need a SWMS

• Slabs and footings
• Concrete pumping with mobile plant on site
• Tilt-up and precast panel installation
• Cutting and grinding concrete

High risk construction work categories that usually apply

• Work in an area at a workplace where there is any movement of powered mobile plant
• Work in or near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 m, or a tunnel
• Work involving tilt-up or precast concrete elements

Key hazards and example controls

Hazard	Risk	Example controls
Mobile plant moving near workers	Struck by or crushed by plant	Traffic management / exclusion zones separating people and plant. Spotters. Reversing alarms and beacons. Licensed operators. Pre-start checks. Hi-vis clothing.
Trench wall collapse	Burial, crush injury, death	Shoring, benching or battering per engineer/competent person. Keep spoil and plant back from the edge. Inspect trench daily and after rain. Safe access/egress ladder within reach.
Contact with underground services	Electrocution, gas release	Before You Dig Australia enquiry. Locate and mark services. Hand/vacuum excavate near services.
Lifting and placing precast panels	Panel collapse or drop, crush injury	Engineer-approved erection design and bracing. Crane lift plan. Licensed dogman/rigger. Exclusion zone during lifts. Check lifting inserts before lifting.

Example controls are a starting point only — tailor them to your site, your plant and the way you'll actually do the job.

Other site hazards worth including

• Silica dust from cutting, grinding or drilling — Wet cutting or on-tool extraction (H-class vacuum). P2 RPE minimum. No dry sweeping. Health monitoring as required.
• Manual handling of materials and tools — Mechanical aids (trolleys, hoists). Team lifts for heavy items. Plan the job to minimise carrying. Store materials at working height.

What your SWMS has to cover

• Which high risk construction work the job involves.
• The hazards and the risks to health and safety from them.
• The control measures, and how they'll be implemented, monitored and reviewed — e.g. who installs and who checks the edge protection.
• It should be specific to the site and available to the workers and supervisors doing the job.
• If work isn't being done in line with the SWMS, it must stop (immediately or as soon as it's safe).
• Review and revise it whenever the control measures change.

Based on Safe Work Australia, SafeWork NSW and WorkSafe Queensland guidance. Victoria applies its own OHS Regulations — check WorkSafe Victoria.

Common questions

Do concreters need a SWMS?

Whenever the job involves high risk construction work — for concreting that commonly means mobile plant, trenching & excavation, tilt-up & precast concrete. Many principal contractors also require one before you start on site.

How long does it take to make one?

With SWMS Ready, around 10 minutes: tick the high risk work, tailor the pre-filled hazards and controls, add site and emergency details, then print with a sign-on sheet.

Can I reuse my SWMS on the next job?

Review it for every site. The hazards, controls, people and emergency arrangements need to match the actual job.