Findings Report: Earthmoving Plant in Construction 2022-23
A findings report into SafeWork NSW safety inspections targeting high-risk activities and operations around earthmoving plant.
Project Timeframe: 24 October 2022 – 21 April 2023
Sites visited: 269
Background
Excavating and working around excavations is dangerous and can be fatal. Each year SafeWork NSW responds to incidents where workers have been injured or killed when using plant to excavate earth on construction sites.
NSW Government research has identified that major risks caused by this work include being struck by plant, plant overturning, excavation collapse, electrocution from electrical asset strikes and asset infrastructure being damaged. This often results in serious or fatal injury.
The most common incidents involve plant hitting services, followed by earthmoving plant hitting people. Plant rollover is the third most common type of incident which occurs.
The key contributing factors in the data showed inadequate:
- exclusion zones from trench edges
- ground assessment and control measures
- knowledge and competency of operators.
Summary and overview
From October 2022 – April 2023, SafeWork NSW safety inspections targeted high-risk activities and operations in specific areas such as exclusion zones, location of services (planning and preparation), and the general competency and use of plant on construction sites.
SafeWork NSW will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to workers' lives being placed at risk and reiterate the legislative requirement in NSW, to obtain Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) information before commencing excavation work.
Types of sites
SafeWork inspectors visited 191 construction sites state-wide, the sites included:
- infrastructure - 80
- civil - 52
- residential - 24
- commercial - 22
- mid high rise - 7
- demolition - 4
- other - 2.
Notices and fines
Inspectors issued 83 notices, totalling $14,400 in fines as part of Earthmoving Plant in Construction.
Inspector observations
The checklists and inspections throughout this project highlighted the main risk areas. Site inspections focus on ensuring workers remain safe and maintain safe distances from earthmoving plant and are implementing the required safety controls in accordance with the NSW regulations.
Plant restart and maintenance records
What’s working well:
- 99% had legible compliance plates in a prominent position
- 98% of workers held a General Construction Induction Training card
- 96% of plant appeared to be in a serviceable order with no visual signs of damage affecting safe operation of plant
- 93% had completed a pre-start check.
Pre-job planning
What’s working well:
- 98% of sites had the principal contractor consult with workers and operators regarding job planning
- 97% had the services isolated/protected prior to works starting
- 97% had underground and overhead assets identified prior to mechanical excavation
What’s not working and requires improvement:
- 14% did not have an unexpected finds procedure available for site, for example contaminated soil, asbestos, or lead
- 15% had no asbestos management plan available for site
- 10% of PCBUs did not have a system of work in place to monitor and control atmospheric conditions and ventilation.
Site set-up and equipment
What’s working well:
- 96% had adequate controls in place to manage the risk of hearing loss from noise
- 94% had adequate controls in place to prevent contact with overhead powerlines, for example isolated, tiger tails, exclusion zone, accredited person and safety observer
- 94% had a competent spotter for the plant operator who is not supervising other activities, had communication with the operator and situated in the exclusion zone
- 97% had all safety devices in place and working. For example roll over protection, falling object protection, quick hitch pins, warning lights and sounds, seatbelts, and E-Stops.
Exclusion zones
What’s working well:
- 94% had an adequate exclusion zone in place around plant and excavation zone.
Excavation
- 99% have considered surrounding structure hazards within the excavation zone
- 94% has a site-specific SWMS readily available
- 94% of PCBUs prevented the risk of trench collapse
- 95% had an emergency plan available for the excavation work
- 93% of PCBUs adequately prevented the risk of falls into trenches.
What’s not working well and requires attention
- 12% of PCBUs did not restrict access to the trench if over 1.5 metres in depth
- 10% did not have vehicle movement/management plan implemented while the earthmoving plant is in operation to separate plant and people.
Conclusion
During the 2022 project, inspectors observed the need for continued focus on sites implementing an unexpected finds procedure and having an asbestos management plan available on site. There also needs to be a stronger focus on PCBUs not restricting access to trenches and having a system of work in place to monitor and control atmospheric conditions and ventilation.
Compliance was high for legible compliance plates in a prominent position, workers had a General Construction Induction Training card, and having an adequate exclusion zone in place around plant and excavation zone.
SafeWork NSW recommendation
SafeWork will continue to work with major industry stakeholders through its state-wide dedicated construction teams to increase awareness, education, and improve overall safety standards and commitment to the risks associated with earthmoving plant on construction sites.