Important: This SWMS template is provided as a starting point only. It must be reviewed and customised to reflect the specific conditions, hazards, and controls for your workplace and task. The PCBU remains responsible for ensuring the SWMS is suitable for the specific work. This template does not constitute legal advice. Refer to your state or territory WHS regulator for compliance requirements.

Excavation & Earthworks

Rock Breaking — Safe Work Method Statement

Safe Work Method Statement for breaking rock with excavator-mounted hydraulic hammers, rock saws, handheld breakers and non-explosive rock splitting, including dust, noise, vibration and flying debris controls.

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Rock breaking is slow, loud and dusty, and it puts high loads through plant and the ground around it. It is High Risk Construction Work wherever powered mobile plant is moving, which covers almost every job using an excavator-mounted hammer or rock saw, and wherever the work creates or happens in a trench or shaft deeper than 1.5 metres. This SWMS does not cover blasting. Work with explosives needs a licensed shotfirer and its own SWMS and permits from your state or territory regulator.

The hazards specific to rock breaking are flying rock fragments and steel splinters from the hammer tool, respirable crystalline silica dust (sandstone and many other rocks contain high levels of quartz), noise that often exceeds 100 dB(A) at the operator's position, whole-body vibration for the excavator operator and hand-arm vibration for handheld breakers, and vibration damage to neighbouring buildings and services. Unsupported rock faces can fail along joints and bedding planes, and the operator can tip the machine working on uneven rock benches.

Silica controls are not optional. The workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica is 0.05 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA). Use water suppression at the tool, an enclosed cab with filtered air, and respiratory protection for workers on the ground. Health monitoring is required for workers at significant risk of exposure. Non-explosive alternatives such as hydraulic splitters and expansive grouts reduce noise and vibration but create their own risks of rock blow-out and alkaline chemical burns.

Plant operators must be competent on the machine and attachment, and some states require a licence or certificate for certain plant. Check your state or territory regulator. Get a dilapidation survey and vibration limits for nearby structures before you start.

Customise this template with the rock type and any geotechnical report, the method (hammer, saw, splitter or grout), the excavator and attachment details, the exclusion zone distance, the dust suppression set-up, vibration limits and monitoring points, permitted work hours for noise, and the BYDA reference.

Personal Protective Equipment

Hard hatSafety glasses with side shields, plus face shield for handheld breakingHearing protection (Class 5 earmuffs or earplugs and earmuffs together)P2 respirator (fit tested) for ground workersAnti-vibration gloves for handheld breakersSteel-capped safety bootsHigh-visibility clothingChemical-resistant gloves and goggles for expansive grout

High Risk Construction Work Types

•Work in or near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 metres, or a tunnel
•Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant

Risk Assessment

1.Pre-start assessment and neighbour protection

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Vibration damage to adjacent structures or services	High	Dilapidation survey of adjacent structures before work. Agree vibration limits and install monitoring where required. Expose services in the work area by NDD. Use smaller hammers or saw cuts near sensitive structures.	Moderate	Project Manager / Supervisor
Rock face failure along joints or bedding planes	High	Geotechnical assessment of faces over 1.5 m. Scale loose rock from faces before workers go below. Nobody works below an unsupported face that hasn't been inspected.	Moderate	Geotechnical Engineer / Supervisor

2.Attachment fitting and plant set-up

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Crush injury during hammer change-over	High	Change hammers on firm level ground with the attachment resting on blocks. Quick hitch locking pin fitted and checked by test before work. Hydraulics depressurised before disconnecting hoses.	Low	Excavator Operator
Machine tips on uneven rock	High	Prepare a level working bench. Work over the front of the tracks, not the side. Do not use the hammer to lever or lift the machine.	Low	Excavator Operator

3.Breaking with excavator-mounted hammer

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Flying rock fragments strike workers	High	Exclusion zone around the hammer, set from manufacturer guidance and site conditions and marked with barriers. Ground workers enter only after the operator stops and acknowledges. Cab fitted with front guard or impact-resistant glazing. Never fire the hammer in the air.	Low	Excavator Operator / Supervisor
Whole-body vibration and fatigue for the operator	Moderate	Maintain seat suspension. Plan breaks and rotate operators on long breaking shifts. Use correct down-force rather than bouncing the machine.	Low	Excavator Operator / Supervisor

4.Dust control

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Exposure to respirable crystalline silica	Catastrophic	Water spray at the tool point throughout breaking. Operator in a closed cab with filtered air and door shut. Ground workers in P2 respirators that have been fit tested. Air monitoring to confirm exposures are below the workplace exposure standard. Health monitoring for workers at significant risk. No dry sweeping.	Moderate	Supervisor / All Workers

5.Handheld breaking and saw cutting

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Hand-arm vibration injury	High	Use low-vibration breakers. Limit trigger time per worker and rotate. Anti-vibration gloves. Report tingling or numbness.	Moderate	Supervisor / Operator
Noise-induced hearing loss	High	Hearing protection mandatory for everyone within the marked zone. Consider double protection near hammers. Audiometric testing for workers regularly required to wear hearing protection.	Low	All Workers

6.Non-explosive splitting (hydraulic splitters or expansive grout)

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Rock blow-out or grout ejecting from the hole	High	Follow the product's hole diameter and temperature limits. Never look down a charged hole. Cover charged holes and keep people out of the area until splitting is complete.	Low	Operator
Alkaline chemical burns from grout	Moderate	Mix per SDS wearing goggles and chemical gloves. Eye wash available on site.	Low	Operator

7.Loading broken rock and clean-up

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Struck by plant or trucks during loading	High	Separate truck and pedestrian routes. Spotter for reversing. Truck drivers stay in cab during loading.	Low	Supervisor / Operators
Silica dust during clean-up	Moderate	Wet down before loading. Clean with water or an H-class vacuum, not dry sweeping.	Low	Crew

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.

Name: ___________________Date: ___________________