Product Overview

This Vehicles SWMS is a comprehensive Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards and implement controls for the safe use, operation, and movement of vehicles on Australian worksites, supporting robust WHS compliance. It provides end-to-end coverage of vehicle-related activities, ensuring a systematic approach to managing risks associated with High Risk Construction Work and general workplace transport.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Pre-start inspection of vehicles, including brakes, steering, lights, tyres, mirrors, and safety systems
• Safe operation of light vehicles, utilities, and service vehicles on construction and industrial sites
• Use of heavy vehicles such as trucks, tippers, and rigid vehicles in loading, unloading, and haulage tasks
• Management of vehicle and mobile plant interaction with pedestrians, including designated walkways and exclusion zones
• Safe manoeuvring, reversing, and parking procedures, including the use of spotters and reversing alarms
• Journey planning, route selection, and fatigue management for on-road and off-road driving
• Securing and restraining loads on vehicles to prevent shifting, falling objects, and overloading
• Operation of vehicles in adverse weather, low visibility, and poor ground conditions
• Traffic management within worksites, including speed limits, signage, and right-of-way rules
• Use of seatbelts, in-vehicle communication devices, and other safety equipment
• Refuelling procedures, spill prevention, and control of ignition sources around fuel storage areas
• Emergency response for vehicle incidents, collisions, rollovers, and breakdowns
• Inspection, maintenance, and defect reporting processes for fleet and hired vehicles

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for construction contractors, civil and infrastructure crews, transport and logistics operators, mining and quarrying personnel, facility managers, and site supervisors responsible for vehicle operations and traffic management.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on controlling risks associated with vehicles and mobile plant as “plant”.
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements relevant to fuel handling, storage, and refuelling activities.
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Direction on safe workplace layout, traffic routes, and interaction between vehicles and pedestrians.
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying, assessing, and controlling vehicle-related hazards.
• Occupational Diving Work Code of Practice: Not generally applicable unless vehicles support diving operations, but referenced where relevant to specialised works.
• AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations—Construction and demolition sites: Referenced for safe use of electrically powered vehicle support equipment on construction sites.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017