Paving and Stonework — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for laying concrete, clay and natural stone pavers, steps and copings for driveways, paths, courtyards and pool surrounds, covering excavation, base preparation, cutting, laying, compaction and sealing.
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Paving and stonework covers driveways, paths, courtyards, pool surrounds, steps and copings using concrete pavers, clay pavers and natural stone such as sandstone, bluestone, granite and travertine. Paving is not High Risk Construction Work in itself. A SWMS is legally required when an HRCW trigger applies, which is common on paving jobs: bobcats, excavators, tippers and forklifts moving on site, or work on a driveway crossover or footpath next to a road carrying traffic. Where neither applies, a SWMS is still good practice and most builders will ask for one.
The two hazards that cause the most harm in this trade are silica dust and manual handling. Cutting pavers and stone with a dry saw or grinder releases respirable crystalline silica. Sandstone is mostly silica, and concrete pavers and granite also contain a lot. Cut wet or with on-tool extraction, never dry and open, and wear a fit-tested respirator. Note that engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels have been banned in Australia since 1 July 2024. Don't cut, shape or install engineered stone products, and check the product information for any stone-look product you don't recognise.
Manual handling is constant. Large-format stone pavers can weigh 25 to 40 kg each, and paving involves kneeling and bending all day. Use vacuum lifters, paver trolleys and mechanical delivery to the laying face. Plate compactors expose workers to hand-arm vibration and noise. Cleaning with acid to remove mortar or efflorescence can cause serious burns. Before excavating, get Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) plans and locate services on site, because shallow cables and gas services often run right under driveways and paths.
No WHS licence is required for paving, but plant operators need to be competent on the machine, and operating some plant such as forklifts requires a high risk work licence. Landscaping and building licensing thresholds vary by state, so check your state or territory regulator. If your paving job includes a retaining wall over 1 metre, a pool barrier or work on the public footpath, extra approvals and controls usually apply.
Customise this template with: the site address and access; the paver or stone type and unit weight; BYDA reference and service locations; the plant on site and who operates it; the cutting method and dust controls; traffic and pedestrian management for work near a road or footpath; the base and bedding specification; and the cleaning and sealing products used.
Personal Protective Equipment
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
Risk Assessment
1.Site set-up, services and traffic management
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striking underground electrical, gas or water services | Catastrophic | Obtain current Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) plans before any excavation. Use a service locator to mark services on the ground. Hand dig or pothole within the clearance zone shown on the asset owner's plans. Look for meter positions, pits and trenches that indicate unmapped private services. Stop and contact the asset owner if an unknown service is found. | Low | Supervisor / Plant Operator |
| Workers or pedestrians struck by vehicles at driveway crossovers and footpaths | High | For work on or next to a road or public footpath, obtain any council permit required and set up traffic and pedestrian management to an approved plan, using qualified traffic controllers where the plan requires them. Provide a safe pedestrian detour. Barricade the work area and keep materials and plant inside it. | Moderate | Supervisor |
2.Excavation and base preparation
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers struck by bobcat, excavator or tipper | Catastrophic | Only competent, authorised operators run plant. Set an exclusion zone around operating plant and keep workers out of the swing and travel path. Use a spotter when reversing tippers or working in tight yards. Operators make eye contact with ground workers before moving. Plant must have working reversing alarms and a seat belt. | Moderate | Plant Operator / Supervisor |
| Undermining footings, retaining walls or fences when excavating | High | Check the excavation depth against nearby footings, retaining walls and boundary fences before digging. Do not excavate below the base of an adjacent footing without engineering advice. Keep the excavator bucket clear of fence posts and wall bases. | Low | Supervisor |
| Dust from road base and crusher dust | Moderate | Dampen road base and crushed rock before spreading and compacting. Stop work or increase wetting if visible dust is leaving the site. Wear a P2 respirator when handling dry fines. | Low | All Workers |
3.Material delivery and handling
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pallet loads falling during truck crane or forklift unloading | High | Unload on firm, level ground. Keep everyone clear of the unloading area and never stand under a suspended pallet. Check pallet strapping and condition before lifting. Truck crane operators must hold the required high risk work licence for the crane, and forklift operators must hold a forklift licence. | Low | Delivery Driver / Supervisor |
| Back and hand injuries from lifting heavy stone pavers | High | Check unit weights before the job. Use paver trolleys or a pallet jack to move stock to the laying face and keep pallets within a few metres of it. Use vacuum lifters or two-person lifts for pavers over 20 kg. Lift from knee height, not from the ground, by raising pallets. Rotate laying and cutting tasks. | Moderate | Paver / Supervisor |
4.Cutting pavers and stone
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inhalation of silica dust | Catastrophic | Cut all pavers and stone with a wet saw or a saw with continuous water feed, or with on-tool extraction connected to an H-class vacuum. Never dry cut in the open with a demo saw or angle grinder. Set the cutting station downwind of other workers. The operator wears a fit-tested P2 respirator. Never cut engineered stone; it is banned. | Moderate | Paver |
| Blade contact, kickback or flying fragments | High | Check the blade is rated for the saw speed and the material, is undamaged and has its guard fitted. Support the full length of the paver on the saw table. Feed steadily and do not force the cut. Wear safety glasses and hearing protection. Disconnect power before changing blades. | Low | Paver |
5.Laying and bedding
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee and back strain from prolonged kneeling and bending | Moderate | Use knee pads or kneeling boards. Lay from the finished surface where possible. Rotate between laying, cutting and supplying stock every hour or so. Use long-handled screeding tools. | Low | Paver |
| Cement burns from mortar beds and adhesives | Moderate | Wear chemical-resistant gloves when working with mortar and adhesive. Wash off any wet cement on skin straight away. Keep clean water on site to flush eyes. Change out of mortar-soaked clothing. | Low | Paver |
6.Compaction and joint filling
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-arm vibration and noise from plate compactors | Moderate | Use a compactor with vibration-damped handles, in good repair. Limit continuous use and rotate operators on large areas. Wear hearing protection and anti-vibration gloves. Fit a rubber pad to the plate when compacting finished pavers. | Low | Paver |
| Dust from sweeping dry jointing sand | Moderate | Use washed or kiln-dried jointing sand with low fines. Sweep gently and do not use blowers. Wear a P2 respirator when sweeping large areas in windy conditions. | Low | Paver |
7.Acid cleaning, sealing and clean-up
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical burns from acid cleaners | High | Use the weakest cleaner that will do the job and follow the SDS. Always add acid to water, never water to acid. Pre-wet the surface, apply with a low-pressure sprayer, and rinse thoroughly. Wear a face shield, acid-resistant gloves and boots. Keep acid away from drains and plants and neutralise runoff as directed by the SDS. | Low | Paver |
| Vapour and fire risk from solvent-based sealers | Moderate | Prefer water-based sealers. Apply solvent-based sealers outdoors with no ignition sources nearby. Wear an organic vapour respirator if the SDS requires it. Keep people and pets off the sealed area until it is dry. | Low | Paver |
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.