Excavating and trenching

Excavated trenches pose a serious risk to the health and safety of all your workers.

Plan, prepare, prevent and protect

Excavated trenches pose a serious risk to the health and safety of all your workers. So if you're in charge of a worksite, always plan ahead before any excavation work commences. Don't let an ordinary day end in disaster. Plan, prepare, prevent and protect. Make sure you understand the risks and use the controls.

This information is also available in Chinese (simplified) and Punjabi.

Safe work method statements (SWMS)

Safe work method statements are an important part of preparing for any high risk construction work (HRCW). Hear from our inspector, Brian Chamberlain on why these documents are so vital.

Learn about Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)

Safe work method statements (SWMS) tip 1

Safe work method statements (SWMS) tip 2

Safe work method statements (SWMS) tip 3

A construction worker wearing safety gear.

Information for every trade

Housing and general construction information, guidance and practical guides for every trade including bricklaying, carpentry, concreting, demolition, electrical, excavating and trenching, plumbing, roofing and scaffolding.

All construction information

Construction: Labourers

These are the most common injuries and hazards for people working as labourers in the construction industry, as shown by injury claims.

Safety solutions

WorkSafe expects employers to have safety solutions in place to protect workers from the most common sources of injury.

Injury Hotspot skeleton diagram, text information below.

Hazards and solutions

You might also need

Find useful information and services to help your workplace in your industry.

'If you are injured at work' poster

Employers must display an 'if you are injured at work' poster in every workplace. You can download and print a poster in English as well as Arabic, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

Download a poster

Latest updates