SWMS template · Concrete, Masonry & Roofing

Kerb and Channel Construction — Safe Work Method Statement

Safe Work Method Statement for constructing concrete kerb and channel by slip-form machine or hand-formed methods, covering traffic management, service location, subgrade preparation, concrete delivery, extrusion and finishing, joint cutting and curing.

Category: Concrete, Masonry & Roofing
HRCW: 2 categories
Job steps: 8
Hazards rated: 18
PPE items: 8

Kerb and channel construction is High Risk Construction Work on most jobs for two reasons. It is usually done on or next to a road open to traffic, and it involves powered mobile plant such as the slip-form machine, concrete trucks, excavators and rollers moving close to workers on foot. A SWMS is required, and it needs to sit alongside the traffic management plan for the job.

Traffic is the hazard that kills road workers. The traffic management plan should be prepared by someone with the right qualification, and traffic controllers need the accreditation your state or territory road authority requires. These rules differ between jurisdictions, so check with your road authority rather than assuming. Keep the work area, the plant and the pedestrian route separated, and plan where concrete trucks will queue, reverse and wash out before the first truck arrives.

Inside the work zone, the slip-form machine is the main risk. The auger, hopper and mould have moving parts that can catch hands and clothing, and the machine moves slowly but steadily along the stringline, so people working beside it can get caught between the machine and a truck, kerb or parked car. Only trained operators run it, and nobody reaches into the hopper or mould while it is running. Hand-formed kerbs bring different hazards: steel pins driven into the ground can hit services, and pins left proud are a trip and impalement hazard.

Fresh concrete is alkaline and causes cement burns if it soaks into boots or gloves. Saw cutting contraction joints creates silica dust and noise. Wet cut or use extraction, and wear hearing and respiratory protection. Long days on bitumen in summer also mean heat stress, so plan water, shade and breaks.

Customise this template with the road name and traffic management plan reference, the traffic control arrangements and who is providing them, the BYDA reference and services found, the kerb profile and method (slip-form or hand-formed), the plant on site and operator competencies, the truck access and washout location, the joint spacing and cutting method, and how the new kerb will be protected while it cures.

High Risk Construction Work Types

Work on, in or adjacent to a road, railway or other traffic corridor in use by traffic
Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant

Personal Protective Equipment

High-visibility clothing (day and night rated as required)
Steel-capped safety boots (waterproof, trousers worn over boots)
Hard hat
Safety glasses
Waterproof gloves for concrete handling
Hearing protection
P2 respirator (joint cutting)
Long-sleeve shirt, hat and sunscreen

Risk Assessment

RatingsCatastrophicHighModerateLow

Step 1Traffic management set-up

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Workers struck by passing traffic while setting out signs and cones	Catastrophic	Install the traffic management plan in the order it specifies, working from behind the vehicle where possible. Only accredited traffic controllers place and remove devices. High-visibility clothing for everyone.	Moderate	Traffic Controller
Vehicles entering the work zone	High	Physical separation (barriers or a buffer zone) between traffic and workers as the plan requires. Reduced speed limits where approved. Check the set-up is working at the start of each shift and after changes.	Moderate	Supervisor

Step 2Set-out and service location

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Striking services with excavation or form pins	High	Obtain BYDA plans. Locate and mark services with a detector. Pothole by hand or vacuum within the zone the asset owner specifies. Do not drive pins or stringline stakes over marked services.	Low	Supervisor
Tripping over stringlines and pins	Moderate	Flag stringlines and cap all pins and stakes. Keep walkways clear of lines.	Low	Concreter

Step 3Excavation and subgrade preparation

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Workers on foot struck by excavator, bobcat or roller	High	Exclusion zone around operating plant. Workers stay out of the swing and travel path unless the operator has stopped and acknowledged them. Reversing alarms and cameras on plant.	Low	Plant Operator
Undermining the road edge or footpath	Moderate	Excavate only the length that can be poured in the shift. Barricade open edges next to traffic or pedestrians overnight.	Low	Supervisor

Step 4Slip-form machine set-up or hand formwork

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Hands caught in the auger, hopper or mould	High	Trained operators only. Guards in place. Engine off and controls isolated before cleaning or adjusting the mould. Nobody reaches into the hopper while the machine is running.	Low	Plant Operator
Back strain lifting steel forms and moulds	Moderate	Use plant to lift the mould onto the machine. Two-person lift for steel forms. Keep forms close to where they are needed.	Low	Concreter

Step 5Concrete delivery and placement

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Concrete truck reversing over a worker	High	Dedicated spotter for every reversing movement, in sight of the driver at all times. Nobody between the truck and the machine or kerb. Agree hand signals before the first truck.	Low	Spotter
Cement burns from wet concrete	Moderate	Waterproof gloves and boots with trousers over the top. Wash skin contact straight away. Change wet clothing.	Low	Concreter
Chute swinging and striking a worker	Moderate	Only one person guides the chute. Stand to the side, not under it. Driver moves the chute only on signal.	Low	Concreter

Step 6Extrusion, hand finishing and trimming

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Caught between the moving machine and a truck, parked car or fixed object	High	Keep a clear walkway beside the machine. Remove or move parked cars before the run. Workers stay where the operator can see them.	Low	Plant Operator
Back and knee strain from bending to finish kerbs	Moderate	Use long-handled tools where possible. Knee pads. Rotate finishing tasks.	Low	Concreter

Step 7Joint cutting and curing

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Silica dust from saw cutting joints	High	Wet cut or use an on-tool extraction saw. P2 respirator. No dry sweeping of cutting dust.	Low	Concreter
Saw kickback and blade contact	High	Trained operators only. Blade guard in place. Two hands on the saw. Do not cut with the upper quadrant of the blade.	Low	Concreter
Skin and eye contact with curing compound	Moderate	Read the SDS. Apply with a low-pressure sprayer, standing upwind. Gloves and safety glasses.	Low	Concreter

Step 8Backfill, clean-up and removal of traffic control

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Struck by traffic while removing devices	High	Remove devices in the reverse order to the plan. Only accredited traffic controllers. Do not open lanes until plant, materials and workers are clear.	Moderate	Traffic Controller
Concrete washout entering stormwater	Moderate	Wash out trucks and tools only at the designated washout. Protect nearby stormwater pits with filters or covers.	Low	Supervisor

Relevant Codes of Practice

Worker Acknowledgement

By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.

NameDateSignature

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