Earthmoving & Mobile Plant

Earthmoving and mobile plant operations require specific high-risk work licences issued under the Work Health and Safety Regulations. Operators must hold licences appropriate to their equipment class, including excavator licences categorised by machine size and operating mass, forklift licences for powered industrial trucks, and vehicle licences for on-road operation of heavy vehicles. Different jurisdictions may have additional licensing requirements, and operators must maintain current licences and complete any required refresher training. Employers must verify operator competency by sighting original licences and maintaining copies in site records. Additionally, site-specific induction and familiarisation with particular equipment models is required even when operators hold appropriate licences, as documented in the SWMS. Working near live traffic, railways, or other high-risk environments may require additional certifications such as traffic management qualifications.

Managing underground service strike risk requires multiple layers of control starting with comprehensive service location before any excavation commences. Contact must be made with the relevant dial-before-you-dig service to obtain service plans for the work area, followed by engaging qualified locators to physically identify and mark services on the ground using electromagnetic detection and ground-penetrating radar. The SWMS must document safe digging procedures including hand digging within specified tolerance zones around identified services, use of non-destructive excavation methods such as vacuum excavation for verification, and clear communication protocols when services are exposed. Operators must understand service location markings and exclusion zones, with supervisors maintaining constant oversight during excavation near known or suspected services. Service plans should be treated as indicative only, with the assumption that unmarked services may be present requiring cautious excavation techniques throughout the work area. Emergency response procedures for service strikes, including immediate shutdown protocols and emergency contact numbers for service authorities, must be clearly documented and communicated to all personnel.

Pre-start inspections are a mandatory control measure for all earthmoving and mobile plant equipment, required before operation commences each day or shift. The SWMS must specify a comprehensive inspection checklist covering all safety-critical components including rollover protective structures (ROPS) and falling object protective structures (FOPS), seatbelts and operator restraints, mirrors and vision aids, lighting and warning devices, brakes and steering systems, hydraulic systems for leaks or damage, tyres for damage or inadequate pressure, and all controls for proper function. Operators must document inspections using standardised forms or digital systems, with any defects immediately reported to supervisors and the equipment withdrawn from service until repairs are completed by qualified personnel. The pre-start inspection serves as both a safety control and a legal record demonstrating that equipment was maintained in a safe condition. Inspection requirements should be integrated with the equipment's preventative maintenance schedule, with more detailed periodic inspections conducted by qualified technicians at intervals specified by the manufacturer or regulatory requirements.

Traffic management for mobile plant operations requires comprehensive planning documented in the SWMS to control interactions between equipment, workers on foot, and other vehicles. The SWMS should reference or incorporate a traffic management plan establishing designated haul routes, one-way traffic flow where practicable, separation of vehicle and pedestrian movements, and clear delineation of work zones using physical barriers, signage, and line marking. Speed limits appropriate to site conditions and visibility must be specified and enforced. Communication protocols must be established including requirements for two-way radio contact between operators and traffic controllers, standard radio procedures, and hand signals for situations where radio communication is ineffective. Reversing procedures require particular attention, with options including mandatory use of spotters, exclusion zones prohibiting ground workers in reversing areas, and enhanced visibility aids such as cameras and proximity sensors. The traffic management approach should consider the specific site layout, number and type of equipment operating simultaneously, interaction with delivery vehicles and visitors, and any requirements for working near public roads or live traffic.

Emergency procedures in earthmoving and mobile plant SWMS must address the specific incidents most likely to occur in these operations. This includes immediate response protocols for equipment rollover situations, which should specify how to shut down the equipment safely if the operator is able, how to summon emergency services, and how to secure the area to prevent secondary incidents. Procedures for service strikes must detail immediate actions including equipment shutdown, area isolation, evacuation distances, and notification of service authorities and emergency services. Medical emergency responses should account for the difficulty of accessing injured workers potentially trapped in or under equipment, with clear procedures for summoning rescue services equipped with heavy lifting or cutting equipment. Fire emergencies require documented procedures for equipment-specific fire suppression, considering fuel loads and hydraulic fluid hazards. The SWMS should include emergency contact lists with numbers for ambulance, fire services, utility emergency lines, site management, and the principal contractor. Assembly points must be designated at safe distances from the work area, and all personnel must understand the site evacuation alarm and assembly procedures communicated during induction.