SWMS guide · updated November 2026

SWMS for landscapers

Landscaping becomes high risk construction work when there's powered mobile plant moving on site or trenches deeper than 1.5 metres.

Common landscaping tasks that need a SWMS

• Excavation and retaining walls
• Operating bobcats and excavators
• Irrigation trenching
• Paving and stone cutting

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

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.

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

• 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.
• Working in heat and sun — Schedule heavy work for cooler times. Water, shade and rest breaks. Sun protection (hat, long sleeves, sunscreen).

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 landscapers need a SWMS?

Whenever the job involves high risk construction work — for landscaping that commonly means mobile plant, trenching & excavation. 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.