Transport and Heavy Vehicles Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a crucial document in the transport industry, serving as a written plan that outlines the necessary steps to carry out work activities safely.

People often ask, “Can I have a Safe Work Method Statement for transport and heavy vehicles? A document that covers everything?”  The answer is not really. 

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) needs to document step by step how you are going to do a particular job. Not all jobs are the same! Are you going deliver and unload mobile plant, or deliver building materials using a vehicle loading crane?
Are you loading the vehicle yourself or accepting a load from a third-party operator?
 
The steps in undertaking each of these tasks are very different. Not only are the steps different, but the potential hazards and the hazard control measures are very different as well.
Delivery and unloading of powered mobile plant is a high-risk construction activity.

Danger Zone: Unveiling the Hazards Lurking in the transport and heavy vehicle industries. 

Mass Dimension and Load Restraint Policy applies to all vehicles, trailers, and equipment and personnel involved in loading, securing, and transporting cargo.
Speeding is a high-risk behaviour. Speeding is more than driving faster than the sign-posted speed limit, it is driving too fast for the weather conditions, light, traffic, and road conditions.
Ensure all workers are well clear of the forklift and load. Forklift operator is to stop if obstructions or workers are in close proximity to travel route.
Transporting oversized loads requires specialized equipment and careful planning to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

Hazards associated with transport and heavy vehicles include:

Collisions:

Transport and heavy vehicles pose a significant risk of collisions, whether with other vehicles, pedestrians, or fixed objects. Collisions can result in injuries, fatalities, and property damage.

Rollovers:

Heavy vehicles, particularly those with a high centre of gravity, are susceptible to rollover accidents, especially during sharp turns or on uneven terrain. Rollovers can lead to serious injuries or fatalities for drivers and passengers.

Mechanical Failures:

Malfunctions in critical vehicle components such as brakes, steering systems, or tires can cause accidents. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial to prevent mechanical failures.

Hazardous Material Spills:

Transporting hazardous materials presents the risk of spills, which can have severe environmental and health consequences. Spills may result from accidents, equipment failures, or improper handling.

Fires:

Vehicle fires can occur due to various factors, including electrical faults, fuel leaks, or overheating of components. Fires pose significant risks to occupants, nearby vehicles, and property.

Pedestrian Accidents:

Heavy vehicles operating in urban areas pose a threat to pedestrians due to limited visibility and longer stopping distances. Pedestrian accidents can result in serious injuries or fatalities.

Environmental Damage:

Spills of hazardous materials, vehicle emissions, and improper disposal of waste from transport activities can cause environmental contamination and damage ecosystems.

Driver Fatigue:

Long hours of driving, tight schedules, and inadequate rest can lead to driver fatigue, impairing reaction times and decision-making abilities, increasing the risk of accidents.

Distracted Driving:

Distractions such as mobile phones, navigation systems, or eating while driving can divert a driver’s attention from the road, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Poor Weather Conditions:

Adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, ice, fog, or high winds can reduce visibility and traction, making driving hazardous for transport and heavy vehicles.

Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance:

Neglecting vehicle maintenance, including checks on brakes, tires, and lights, can lead to mechanical failures and increase the risk of accidents.

A SWMS provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how to perform a task safely.

It ensures that everyone involved understands the necessary steps, reducing the likelihood of accidents due to confusion or misunderstanding.
 
The JSEAsy Safety Management Software builds your site-specific SWMS for your transport or heavy vehicle job by adding templates of the steps you are going to take, in the order in which you are going to take them.
 

Watch a detailed demonstration video on how to create a new site-specific SWMS using existing templates.

Making SWMS has never been easier, just pick your job steps and the JSEAsy safety management software does all the hard work for you.

A vehicle loading crane is a crane mounted on a vehicle for the purpose of loading and unloading that vehicle.
Extracts of a site-specific SWMS created using the JSEAsy EHS Software.

JSEA/ SWMS Example

Below is an example of templates you may insert into your site-specific SWMS for Delivery and unloading of mobile plant.

  1. Undertake Clients general all sites online induction
  2. Claim Work Area
  3. Inspect and drive truck
  4. Claim Work Area
  5. Working where there is movement of powered mobile plant
  6. Delivery and unloading of mobile plant
  7. Monitoring and Review of SWMS

 

JSEAsy award winning Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Software

Automating the process

 

When you insert a template using the JSEAsy EHS Software, it automatically brings with it:

  1. The main process step
  2. The sub process steps associated in undertaking the task
    1. The potential hazards associated with undertaking the task (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    2. The Risk Rating for undertaking the task (You can also change this if you want to)
    3. The Hazard Control measure (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    4. The revised risk rating after applying the control (You can also change this if you want to)
    5. Any required PPE (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    6. Any applicable licences or qualifications required (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    7. Any preoperational inspections required (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    8. Any applicable legislation or codes of practice (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
Transporting bulk liquids safely demands proper containment, secure packaging, and adherence to transportation regulations.

Creating Site-Specific SWMS Reports with JSEAsy Safety Management Software

Creating a site-specific SWMS is easy using JSEAsy . Once created, you can print/ save a pdf of either a full or simplified SWMS report. 

Download an example of a full SWMS report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

Download an example of a simplified SWMS report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

The JSEAsy software comes preloaded with hundreds of templates (job steps) to build your site-specific SWMS with.

Safe Operating Procedures (SOP) and Plant and Equipment Risk Assessments (PERA) are also included in all versions.

The JSEAsy Premium EHS Software is your total WHS management system.

The JSEAsy safety management software is available for download and install on a PC, or hosted in the cloud

There are over 1000 SWMS templated for multiple industries included in the JSEAsy EHS Software.
A heavy vehicle checklist ensures all components are inspected for safety and compliance before each journey.

JSEAsy Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Software

Process: Click the Links below to learn more about JSEAsy Safety Management Software and the process.

View an Infographic about How JSEAsy Software works.

See the different versions of the JSEAsy software.

When you buy or Rent JSEAsy you have access to all of the latest version SWMS templates, for all trades and industries.

Download the JSEAsy latest version SWMS template register.

This is a register sorted by industry type and industry specific of all of the SWMS templates included in the latest version of the JSEAsy Safety Management Software.

Save time and Money!

Hundreds of templates included – 1 low price – Exceptional value!

When you buy or rent the JSEAsy Safety Management Software, not only to get all of the templates specifically for Heavy Vehicles and Transport, but you also get all of the templates for all of the other industries and trades as well. The transport industry is so much more than just driving trucks!

You will also benefit from many of the Mechanical and Plant, Forklift, and other industry templates.

Order Now!!
Thousands of SWMS templates included in the JSEAsy SWMS software.

A list of all the templates included in all versions of the JSEAsy EHS software is shown below.

  • You can search by scrolling through the list of all templates.
  • You can apply filters to the list by selecting an Industry Type
  • You can further refine the list by selecting and industry type and an industry specific.
  • You can do key word searches for templates.  If you can’t find what you are looking for try:
    • Shortening the search term. For example, searching for “deliv” would show deliver and deliveries, but if you searched for deliveries, it would exclude deliver.
    • Look for a synonyms/ alternate word for what you are looking for. E.g. tube or pipe

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