Skid Steer & Tipper Operation SWMS

Product Description

Operating skid steers and tipper trucks is a common part of demolition, civil and construction projects, requiring careful coordination to safely move, load and transport materials while managing mobile plant risks. The Skid Steer & Tipper Operation SWMS is intended for demolition contractors, civil contractors, construction businesses and principal contractors undertaking material handling and load-out activities using skid steers and tipper trucks. It helps construction businesses safely plan, manage and document these operations while supporting site-specific risk management and Australian WHS requirements.

Skid steers are versatile machines used for excavation, stockpiling, loading, levelling and material handling, while tipper trucks transport demolition waste, spoil and construction materials from site. These activities require competent operators, effective traffic management, separation of plant and pedestrians, routine plant inspections and careful management of ground conditions to reduce the risk of collisions, rollovers and load instability.

This SWMS follows the documented work sequence from pre-start inspections and equipment setup through to skid steer operation, loading tipper trucks, transporting materials, refuelling and end-of-shift housekeeping. It provides a practical framework that can be reviewed and customised to suit individual projects and workplace conditions.

Activities Covered

• Conducting pre-start inspections and plant checks.
• Operating skid steers for excavation, loading and material handling.
• Travelling safely around construction and demolition sites.
• Changing and using approved attachments.
• Loading tipper trucks with demolition and excavated materials.
• Operating tipper trucks for material transport and unloading.
• Refuelling, maintenance and housekeeping.

Hazards Addressed

• Mobile plant collisions and pedestrian interaction.
• Plant rollover and overturning.
• Crush injuries and moving machinery.
• Contact with underground and overhead services.
• Falling objects and unstable loads.
• Manual handling and slips, trips and falls.
• Noise, dust and refuelling hazards.

Control Measures Included

• Daily pre-start inspections and routine plant maintenance.
• Traffic management plans, exclusion zones and designated travel routes.
• Separation of pedestrians from operating plant.
• Reverse alarms, amber beacons and spotters where required.
• Dial Before You Dig and service identification before excavation.
• Safe loading, tipping and load restraint procedures.
• Refuelling in designated areas with spill management and housekeeping controls.

PPE Requirements

The source document specifies PPE including:

• High-visibility clothing.
• Safety footwear.

Additional PPE may include:

• Hard hat.
• Gloves.
• Eye protection.
• Hearing protection.
• Dust mask.

depending on the work activity and site-specific requirements.

Plant and Equipment

Plant and equipment may include:

• Skid steer (Bobcat).
• Skid steer attachments.
• Tipper truck.
• Hand tools.
• Traffic control equipment.

Additional attachments may include pallet forks, augers, trenchers, sweepers, hammers, levelling attachments and buckets where applicable.

Hazardous Chemicals

Where applicable, work may involve:

• Diesel fuel.
• Hydraulic oil.
• Engine oil.
• Transmission fluids.

Hazardous substances should be managed in accordance with Safety Data Sheets and project-specific procedures.

Emergency Planning

The SWMS includes emergency response procedures for plant incidents, collisions, utility strikes, fire, refuelling incidents and other workplace emergencies. Emergency arrangements should be reviewed and customised to suit the workplace and project before work commences.

What’s Included

This editable Microsoft Word SWMS may include:

• Sequential work activities.
• Hazard identification and risk controls.
• PPE requirements.
• Plant and equipment guidance.
• Emergency response procedures.
• Legislative references.
• Worker consultation and sign-off records.
• Plant inspection and maintenance requirements.

Who This SWMS Is For

Suitable for:

• Demolition contractors.
• Civil contractors.
• Construction contractors.
• Earthmoving contractors.
• Principal contractors coordinating mobile plant operations.

Australian WHS Requirements

The source document references applicable Australian WHS legislation together with Codes of Practice relating to managing the risk of plant, excavation work, hazardous manual tasks, moving plant on construction sites, managing noise, working near overhead powerlines and workplace consultation. Every SWMS should be reviewed and customised to reflect the workplace, plant configuration, traffic management arrangements and site-specific hazards before work commences.

Why Choose Tradies Compliance?

Tradies Compliance SWMS documents are developed to help construction businesses implement practical, professional safety documentation for mobile plant and material handling operations. Delivered in an editable Microsoft Word format, they can be customised to suit individual projects while supporting consistent planning, supervision and safe operation of skid steers and tipper trucks.