Working Beside / On a Roadway SWMS

Product Description

Working Beside / On a Roadway SWMS is a professionally developed Safe Work Method Statement for Australian construction, plumbing, civil and utility contractors undertaking work on, in or adjacent to roads and active traffic corridors. Supplied in editable Microsoft Word format, this document helps businesses plan, communicate and document safe work procedures while supporting straightforward site-specific customisation before work begins.

Roadside construction and maintenance activities expose workers to significant risks from moving traffic, mobile plant, changing site conditions and public interaction. Whether undertaking plumbing works, utility installations, maintenance or civil construction, effective planning and traffic management are essential to protecting workers, road users and the surrounding community. This SWMS provides a structured framework for managing these risks while supporting consistent WHS documentation across a wide range of roadside projects.

From site planning and inductions through traffic control coordination, work area setup, roadside operations and project completion, this document assists businesses in implementing practical safety controls while allowing the SWMS to be tailored to specific site conditions, traffic management requirements and approved work methods.

Typical Applications

Suitable for projects involving:

• Roadside construction.
• Plumbing works adjacent to roadways.
• Civil infrastructure projects.
• Utility installation and maintenance.
• Drainage works.
• Excavation adjacent to roads.
• Service repairs.
• Road reserve maintenance.
• Traffic corridor construction.

Work Activities Covered

Depending on the selected work method, the SWMS may include:

• Site assessment and planning.
• Pre-start meetings and site inductions.
• Work area setup and signage.
• Coordination with licensed traffic control providers where required.
• Establishing barricades and exclusion zones.
• Working beside active traffic.
• Communication between workers and traffic controllers.
• Environmental and weather assessments.
• Coordination with other trades.
• Removal of traffic control devices.
• Site clean-up and completion.

Hazards Addressed

This SWMS addresses hazards commonly associated with working beside or on a roadway, including:

• Vehicle strikes.
• Traffic incidents.
• Powered mobile plant interaction.
• Manual handling injuries.
• Sprains and strains.
• Heat stress.
• Sun exposure.
• Dehydration.
• Slips, trips and falls.
• Environmental and property damage.
• Public interaction hazards.

Control Measures Included

The document assists businesses by documenting practical control measures such as:

• Completing site-specific planning and communicating identified hazards before work begins.
• Conducting daily pre-start meetings to discuss traffic risks, plant interaction and communication methods.
• Coordinating activities with licensed traffic control personnel where required.
• Following approved traffic management plans and maintaining positive two-way communication.
• Establishing barricades, exclusion zones and compliant traffic signage before commencing work.
• Inspecting the work area for overhead hazards, traffic movements and other workplace risks.
• Wearing appropriate high-visibility clothing and task-specific PPE.
• Monitoring weather conditions and implementing controls for heat, sun exposure and dehydration.
• Coordinating work activities with other contractors to prevent unauthorised access into the work zone.
• Removing traffic control devices safely and leaving the work area clean and free from hazards upon completion.

Plant & Equipment

Depending on the selected work method, plant and equipment may include:

• Traffic signage.
• Barricades.
• Hand tools.
• Communication equipment where applicable.

Personal Protective Equipment

The documented activity references PPE including:

• Hard hat.
• High-visibility clothing.
• Safety boots.
• Safety glasses.
• Gloves.
• Hearing protection.

Document Features

• Fully editable Microsoft Word format.
• Suitable for Australian construction, plumbing, civil and infrastructure projects.
• Logical work sequence from planning through completion.
• Hazard identification and practical control measures.
• Worker responsibilities and competency requirements.
• Easy to customise for individual projects and site conditions.
• Suitable for integration into broader WHS management systems.

Who This SWMS Is For

Suitable for:

• Civil construction contractors.
• Plumbing contractors.
• Utility contractors.
• Maintenance contractors.
• Infrastructure contractors.
• Principal contractors managing roadside works.

Australian WHS Requirements

Work undertaken on or adjacent to roadways should be reviewed before work commences to ensure the SWMS reflects the approved traffic management arrangements, work methods, communication procedures, site conditions and project-specific hazards. Additional controls may be required where work interfaces with public traffic, mobile plant or multiple contractors.

Why Choose Tradies Compliance?

Tradies Compliance develops professionally written SWMS templates that are practical, easy to customise and suitable for Australian construction businesses. Delivered in editable Microsoft Word format, our documents help streamline project preparation while supporting consistent WHS management for roadside construction, traffic management coordination and work adjacent to live traffic.