SWMS AUS

Survey in Excavations & Trenches

Surveying in and around excavations and trenches - working at the crest, entering a supported excavation to survey, checking services in the dig, and setting out inside an open trench.

SWMS template. Editable Word document, written for your state, ready to adapt to the job.

Objective

Keep the surveyor out of an unsupported excavation, control the fall and collapse hazards at the crest, and never let a tool go into the ground within the asset owner's clearance of a located service.

Your state's laws, in the document

Each state version references the Act, regulator, and requirements for the state you select. Victoria gets the OHS Act and WorkSafe Victoria, NSW gets the WHS Act and SafeWork NSW.

NSW WHS Act 2011 VIC OHS Act 2004 QLD WHS Act 2011 SA WHS Act 2012 WA WHS Act 2020 TAS WHS Act 2012 NT WHS (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 ACT WHS Act 2011 National Model WHS Act (national)

When you'd use this SWMS

If survey in excavations & trenches is part of your job, the builder or head contractor will usually want a SWMS for it before you start on site. This one's editable in Word. Add your company and site details, check the hazards and controls against the actual job, and get your crew to sign on before work starts.

Not sure whether you need one? When a SWMS is required covers it, and the 18 high risk construction work categories are the list a principal contractor works from.

Doing the whole trade? The Surveying and Site Setout pack bundles this with the rest and works out cheaper. New to it? Here's what goes in a SWMS.

Related SWMS

Surveying & Site Setout - Master SWMS

Master

Overarching SWMS for surveying and site setout - instrument set-up, boundary and construction survey, level transfer, setout near traffic and excavations, and drone and machine control work.

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Site Assessment & Mobile Works Setup (Surveying and Site Setout)

Arriving at and setting up for a mobile survey job - assessing the site, parking and unloading the survey vehicle, marking the work area, and confirming access and emergency arrangements.

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Manual Handling (Surveying and Site Setout)

Manual handling in survey work - carrying instruments, tripods and staffs over rough terrain, loading and unloading the survey vehicle, and driving pegs and stakes by hand.

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Instrument Set-Up & Tripod Handling

Setting up, levelling and packing down total stations, theodolites and levels on tripods, including set-up position, raising poles and staffs, and protecting the setup from plant and traffic.

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Boundary & Cadastral Survey

Boundary and cadastral survey on private and public land - researching and locating survey marks, exposing marks by hand, working around occupants and animals, and reinstating what is disturbed.

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Construction Setout & Level Transfer

Setting out and transferring levels on an active construction site - working among operating plant, setting out on formwork and reinforcement, and transferring levels between floors and structures.

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$49.99/state

Select your state to purchase

Better value All 15 in the Surveying and Site Setout pack $249.99 for all 15 See the pack →

GST-inclusive. Instant download. Tax invoice provided.

Last review: 4 September 2026

Editable .docx format

Need a safety document we don’t have?

Our catalogue covers 105 trades, but not every job fits one. If a principal contractor has asked for something specific, or the work you do is not in the list, we write it from scratch for your trade and your state. Same format as everything else here: editable Word, your state's Act and regulator, ready to put your details on. We can also brand your SWMS pack with your logo and company details. We’ll write it for you →