Plant spotter SWMS, drafted for your job
A plant spotter watches blind areas while staying visible to the operator and clear of the machine. Poor positioning or mixed signals can put the spotter in a crush zone. Describe the movements and site so the draft covers the route and signals, then check it with the crew before starting.
A$39per job
However many high-risk activities it covers.
- However many high-risk activities it covers.
- 3 for A$99
- 10 for A$249
- Yearly A$129 for 120
- Monthly A$60 for 10
You review it on site before work starts.
Your Business
Safe Work Method Statement
Version 1
Draft
Plant spotter
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Walk the route and mark crush zones | Blind corners and pinch points | High | Check the path and agree where the spotter stands |
| 2 | Agree signals with the operator | Mixed commands and no stop signal | High | Confirm hand or radio signals and the stop command |
| 3 | Take the spotting position | Standing in the load path | High | Stay in the driver's view and clear of the movement |
| 4 | Guide the movement | Lost contact and entering plant | High | Stop on lost contact or anyone entering the area |
| 5 | Stand down and rebrief | Changed conditions on the next move | Medium | Recheck the route when the job or layout changes |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your plant spotter SWMS will contain
An A4 document your crew can read on site, a PDF for the builder and a sign-on register.
- Job and site detailsYour business, the site, the principal contractor, the dates.
- High-risk construction workThe categories your job involves, ticked.
- Step-by-step methodEach step with its hazards, risk rating and controls.
- How controls are checkedWho puts each control in place, monitors and reviews it.
- PPE, plant and permitsEquipment and training the job needs.
- Emergency planAssembly point, first aid, nearest hospital to confirm on site.
- Consultation and reviewWho was consulted, when it is reviewed.
- Sign-on registerYour crew signs by QR or on paper.
High-risk construction work
Categories this task often involves
You tick the ones your job involves. Each ticked category gets its own steps and controls, in your state's wording.
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
State notes
Rules depend on your state
Pick your state when you start. Your state's regulator publishes the rules and guidance for this work.
Hazards and controls
What goes wrong on a plant spotter job, and how the SWMS controls it
These rows are written for this task. Your draft adds the ones your site and method need.
- 1
Spotter standing in the reversing path they are guiding
High- Position the spotter in view of the driver and clear of the load path
- Stop the movement whenever the spotter leaves the driver's sight
- 2
Spotter crushed between plant and a fixed structure
High- Keep the spotter outside the gap between the load and walls or stacks
- Walk the route first and mark crush zones the spotter must not enter
- 3
Movement continuing after spotter signals are lost
High- Agree signals and a stop command with the operator before starting
- Stop all movement if eye contact or radio contact is broken
- 4
Other plant entering the area while a movement is guided
High- Close the movement area or coordinate it with other operators
- Hold the guided movement until the area is clear again
- 5
Boom approaching overhead lines past the point the spotter watches
High- Plan the route outside the line exclusion; arrange isolation where clearance cannot be maintained
- Position the spotter to see both boom and lines; stop before the agreed hold point
- 6
Spotter distracted during long or repeated movements
Medium- One spotter watches one movement; phones and other duties wait
- Swap out the spotter during extended work before attention drops
How the job usually runs
- 1Walk the route and mark crush zonesBlind corners and pinch points → Check the path and agree where the spotter stands
- 2Agree signals with the operatorMixed commands and no stop signal → Confirm hand or radio signals and the stop command
- 3Take the spotting positionStanding in the load path → Stay in the driver's view and clear of the movement
- 4Guide the movementLost contact and entering plant → Stop on lost contact or anyone entering the area
- 5Stand down and rebriefChanged conditions on the next move → Recheck the route when the job or layout changes
PPE for this job
- High-visibility clothing
- Safety helmet
- Safety boots
- Hearing protection near plant
Your draft lists the PPE your site and method need.
After you finalise
Brief your crew and send it to your builder
Crew signs by QR
Send to my builder
PDF and register
Builder sent it back?
Make their changes and re-issue the same job free. Workers re-sign the new version.
Questions
Plant spotter SWMS questions
- Last reviewed
- 21 October 2026
- How
- Hazard rows checked against the task; no legal line is stated unless it is logged from primary text.
- Next review
- Every six months, or when the method or rules change
What does a spotter do on a job site?
The spotter stands where they can see what the operator cannot, and guides the movement with agreed signals. The draft covers position, signals, stop commands and keeping the spotter out of the load path.
Does it cover spotting for cranes near overhead lines?
Yes. Describe the lines and the plant. The draft covers positioning the spotter so the boom and lines stay in view, a hold point for the operator and taking one movement at a time.
Can one spotter guide two machines at once?
No. The draft keeps a spotter on one movement at a time. If two machines need guiding together, each gets its own spotter or the movements are staggered.
How much does a plant spotter SWMS cost?
One job uses 1 SWMS when you finalise: A$39 for one, however many high-risk activities it covers. AI drafting needs a SWMS pack or plan. Packs and Yearly cost less per SWMS.
Is this a template?
No. You describe the job and the site, and the SWMS is drafted for them. You edit anything, then finalise it.
Who checks the SWMS?
You do, with your crew, on site before work starts. The draft gives you a strong starting point; the person running the work makes sure it matches the site.
My builder sent it back. What now?
Open it, make the changes they asked for and re-issue it. Corrections to the same job are free.
How does my crew sign it?
Show the QR code on your phone or print the A4 sign-on sheet. Workers read and sign on their own phones without an account.
Does it work in my state?
Yes. You choose the state before drafting, and the document names the law that applies there. Victoria uses its OHS Regulations.
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