Oversize / Over-Mass Load Operations SWMS

Oversize and overmass load transport covers the transport of oversize and overmass (OSOM) loads — moving loads that exceed the standard mass or dimension limits, such as large machinery, structures and equipment, under permit. It combines heavy vehicle driving with the specific requirements of oversize and overmass loads: the permits and conditions, the pilot and escort vehicles, the route planning for the dimensions, and the heightened load restraint and stability. This document is written on the basis that oversize and overmass load transport is carried out by a licensed heavy vehicle driver with the permit, escort, route and load controls in place.

Oversize and overmass load transport is carried out in connection with the Heavy Vehicle National Law and the oversize and overmass requirements, with the appropriate permits and conditions obtained, pilot and escort vehicles used as required, the route planned for the dimensions and mass, and the load restrained and stable. The permits and conditions, the pilots and escorts, the route, and the load restraint and stability are the considerations. This document coordinates the permit, escort, route and load controls so the oversize and overmass load transport is carried out safely.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

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

1. 1Administrative: obtain the appropriate oversize and overmass permits and operate within the permit conditions, including the dimensions, mass, route, times and escort requirements.
2. 2Administrative: use pilot and escort vehicles as required by the permit, to warn and manage other road users around the oversize load.
3. 3Administrative: plan the route for the dimensions and mass, identifying and managing overhead and roadside clearances, bridges, and route hazards for the load.
4. 4Engineering: restrain the load to meet the performance standards of the National Transport Commission Load Restraint Guide 2018, so the load cannot move or fall during transport, with appropriate restraint equipment inspected before use.
5. 5Engineering: manage the stability of the large load, and manoeuvre and position the load with a procedure, a spotter and exclusion of people.
6. 6Administrative: manage driver fatigue to the Heavy Vehicle National Law work-and-rest-hour requirements, so a driver does not drive while impaired by fatigue or in breach of the work-and-rest-hour requirements, with realistic scheduling.
7. 7Administrative: meet the Chain of Responsibility duties under the Heavy Vehicle National Law — the primary duty under section 26C shared across the scheduler, consignor, loader, consignee and operator — recognising these duties cannot be contracted out, and manage fatigue, mass, dimension, load restraint and vehicle standards.
8. 8Administrative: maintain the vehicle to a roadworthy standard with the vehicle standards and a pre-trip inspection, and do not operate a defective vehicle.
9. 9Administrative: all workers must hold the competencies and licences required for the work, including a High Risk Work Licence for forklift operation, a heavy vehicle driver licence for heavy vehicles, and any dangerous goods or other training required.
10. 10Administrative: conduct a pre-start toolbox talk covering the day's work, identified hazards, traffic and plant movements, required PPE and emergency procedures, and record attendance in the consultation section.
11. 11Administrative: consult workers and any health and safety representatives on the work and its risks, record the consultation, and keep this document available at the workplace.
12. 12PPE: high-visibility clothing, eye protection where required, gloves appropriate to the task, hearing protection where required, and Class I or Class II safety footwear with protective toecap to AS/NZS 2210.3.
13. 13Administrative: review and update this SWMS whenever the work scope changes, after any incident or near miss, when a worker or health and safety representative raises a concern, when new hazards are identified, or at minimum every 12 months.

Applicable Codes of Practice

Worked example

A licensed heavy vehicle driver is engaged to transport an oversize and overmass load of large machinery. The appropriate oversize and overmass permits are obtained and the transport operates within the permit conditions, including the dimensions, mass, route, times and escort requirements. Pilot and escort vehicles are used as required by the permit, to warn and manage other road users around the oversize load. The route is planned for the dimensions and mass, identifying and managing overhead and roadside clearances, bridges and route hazards. The load is restrained to the performance standards of the National Transport Commission Load Restraint Guide 2018, and the stability of the large load managed. The load is manoeuvred and positioned with a procedure, a spotter and exclusion of people. Driver fatigue on the long movement is managed, the Chain of Responsibility duties met, and the vehicle maintained roadworthy. The transport is carried out safely, and the records retained.

Related legislation

• Model Work Health and Safety Act — primary duty of care; the duty to consult workers; the reckless-conduct offence; and notifiable-incident provisions, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations — the plant, hazardous manual tasks, hazardous chemicals and High Risk Work Licence provisions, and the Section 291 high risk construction work and SWMS duties where applicable, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• The Heavy Vehicle National Law and the Chain of Responsibility, the National Transport Commission Load Restraint Guide 2018, and the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, apply to heavy vehicles and the transport of dangerous goods, alongside the model WHS framework, and are administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and the state and territory dangerous goods regulators.
• Forklift operation requires a High Risk Work Licence (LF or LO class) under each state and territory's licensing scheme, and heavy vehicle driving requires the appropriate heavy vehicle driver licence; dangerous goods drivers require dangerous goods licensing and training.
• Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, with the plant, manual handling, hazardous chemicals and high risk construction work provisions applying in place of the model instruments, alongside the Dangerous Goods Act 1985.

Frequently asked questions