Grader Operations SWMS

Motor grader operations involve precision blade control of a long-wheelbase articulated machine weighing 15–25 tonnes, typically working in linear corridors that intersect with public traffic, other earthmoving plant, and unprotected pedestrians. The work covers road formation, pavement finishing, shoulder grading, maintenance grading on unsealed rural roads, and stockpile shaping — each presenting distinct rollover, crush, visibility and traffic-interface risks. Under Model WHS Regulations Chapter 4 Part 4.5, a grader is powered mobile plant requiring documented risk control, operator competency verification and a Safe Work Method Statement before use. Grader work also constitutes High Risk Construction Work under section 291 where operations occur on or adjacent to a road used by traffic, triggering mandatory SWMS preparation, worker consultation and retention obligations. This SWMS addresses the full task envelope including pre-start inspection, blade and circle operation, articulation hazards, tyre loading, working alongside live traffic, and fatigue management on long linear shifts.

Hazards identified

7 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1Elimination — Redesign the work sequence to grade only after full road closure or detour implementation where traffic volumes exceed AS 1742.3 thresholds for live-traffic operation.
2. 2Elimination — Remove ground workers entirely from the grader exclusion zone during operation; conduct measurements, pegging and inspections only when the machine is parked with park brake applied.
3. 3Substitution — Substitute multi-piece split-rim tyres with single-piece tubeless rims at procurement to eliminate zipper-failure and rim-separation projectile hazards during inflation.
4. 4Engineering — Operate only graders fitted with compliant ROPS/FOPS to AS/NZS 2294, reversing alarm, 360-degree camera or convex mirrors, and isolator-lockable articulation lock pin.
5. 5Engineering — Install positive blade support stands and hydraulic lockout valves before any worker enters beneath the moldboard, circle or ripper for greasing or edge-bit replacement.
6. 6Administrative — Implement traffic management plan to AS 1742.3 with certified TMI/TC controllers, advance warning, buffer zones and speed reduction signage before grading commences on any trafficked road.
7. 7Administrative — Verify operator holds RIIMPO320F competency, conduct documented pre-start inspection per manufacturer manual, and enforce maximum 10-hour shift with 30-minute breaks every 2 hours.
8. 8Administrative — Maintain minimum 6.4-metre exclusion from overhead powerlines per Code of Practice — Excavation Work, with spotter and SafeWork notification for any approach inside no-go zones.
9. 9PPE — Hi-visibility day/night garments to AS/NZS 4602.1 Class D/N worn by operator dismounting and all ground personnel within the work corridor at all times.
10. 10PPE — Safety footwear to AS/NZS 2210.3, hard hat to AS/NZS 1801, hearing protection to AS/NZS 1270 (SLC80 ≥26dB) and impact eye protection to AS/NZS 1337.1 during maintenance tasks.

Applicable Codes of Practice

High-Risk Construction Work triggered

Worked example

On a regional shire road resheeting project, the leading hand opens the pre-start toolbox at 6:30 am with the grader operator, a watercart driver and two traffic controllers. They open this SWMS on a ruggedised tablet and work through the hazard register line by line. The traffic controllers confirm the AS 1742.3 sign layout matches the corridor — advance warning at 200 metres, taper, buffer and termination — and the operator confirms the speed reduction to 40 km/h is in place before signing on. Moving to the articulation crush control, the operator demonstrates the lockout pin engaged for the walk-around inspection, then removes it only after the ground crew step clear of the exclusion zone marked with witches hats. Mid-shift, a council water main is identified at chainage 4+200 outside the original DBYD plan; the supervisor pauses work, opens the SWMS amendment section, records the new hazard, adds a hand-dig verification control, briefs the crew, and obtains re-sign-on before grading resumes. At shift end the signed SWMS, amendment and traffic management diary are uploaded to the project compliance folder for the two-year retention period required under WHS Regulation 297.

Related legislation

• WHS Act 2011 (model)
• WHS Regulation 2025
• AS 2550 — Cranes, hoists and winches; AS 1418 series

Frequently asked questions