Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Template
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This Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement, or Roller Operations SWMS, is an easy-to-use form that your workers can use to plan and manage roller operation risks before compaction work begins. Easily select the scope of work, possible hazards, and required PPE from a list of choices, then work through a ready-to-use list of job steps, risk assessments, and method statements for common roller operation activities.
Operating a padfoot roller, smooth drum roller, multi-tyre roller, or other compaction equipment on your site? Looking for a smart roller operations SWMS PDF to download? This template helps teams document important work procedures such as pre-start checks, work area inspections, traffic separation, communication controls, slope work, exclusion zones, and shutdown steps with a risk matrix guide and a scan-to-sign portion.
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What is Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)?
A Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement, or Roller Operations SWMS, is a document used by site teams, supervisors, and plant operators to plan how roller operation work will be carried out safely. This SWMS usually includes details on the work area, roller type, ground conditions, plant movement, traffic control, vibration risks, slope work, exclusion zones, PPE, job steps, hazards, risk ratings, and control measures.
Due to the risks that come with operating heavy compaction equipment, hazards such as rollovers, struck-by incidents, reversing plant, unstable ground, vibration exposure, noise, and interaction with nearby workers have to be planned around to lessen potential accidents. This makes Roller Operations SWMS documents highly relevant in Australian construction, civil works, roadworks, earthworks, infrastructure, and utilities projects where rollers are used to compact soil, gravel, asphalt, or other surfaces.
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Applicable Standards and Policies for Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
There are generally no explicit formatting requirements for a Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement. However, Australian WHS laws require PCBUs to prepare a SWMS for high-risk construction work and to document the hazards, risks, and control measures involved in roller operations. A Roller Operations SWMS is a good document to support compliance with this.
- Model WHS Regulations require a SWMS for high-risk construction work in Australia
- Safe Work Australia’s Construction Work Code of Practice covers SWMS requirements for high-risk construction work
- Safe Work Australia guidance covers powered mobile plant risks and control measures
- State and territory WHS laws commonly require SWMS documents before high-risk construction work begins
- Local site and principal contractor requirements commonly require SWMS documents for roller operations
Staff Members and Parties that use Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Roller Operations SWMS is primarily used by project teams that manage compaction, roadworks, asphalt works, civil construction, earthworks, or other works involving roller plant. Here are examples of other common parties that use a Roller Operations SWMS:
- Site supervisors and project managers
- Roller operators
- Plant operators and spotters
- Health and safety teams
- Contractors and subcontractors carrying out roller operations
Business Risks Reduced by Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
Using a Roller Operations SWMS helps reduce the risk of hazards such as rollovers, crush injuries, struck-by incidents, reversing risks, unstable ground, vibration exposure, and interaction with pedestrians or other mobile plant. Ultimately, this can help businesses to:
- Reduce risk of injury, fatality, or roller-related incidents
- Avoid non-compliance with Australian SWMS and high-risk construction work requirements
- Prevent unsafe work caused by poor plant movement, lack of exclusion zones, or unstable ground
- Lower exposure to legal claims, enforcement action, and incident-related costs
- Reduce project delays caused by plant incidents, damaged works, inspections, or shutdowns
Business Opportunities Created by Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A well-prepared Roller Operations SWMS helps businesses improve control over compaction works, plant movement, and high-risk construction activities. Here are some ways a well-designed Roller Operations SWMS can help businesses:
- Improve worker confidence before roller operations begin
- Strengthen contractor prequalification and tender-offer competitiveness
- Improve coordination between supervisors, roller operators, spotters, and site teams
- Build trust with clients, regulators, insurers, and project stakeholders
What Should be Included in a Roller Operations SWMS?
A Roller Operations SWMS should be prepared before roller operations are carried out as part of high risk construction work. While exact requirements can vary across Australian states, territories, projects, and principal contractor requirements, there are some core elements that are typically included that you should know about:
- Scope of work, work area, roller type, and responsible persons
- Job steps for setting up, operating, compacting, reversing, refuelling, and parking the roller
- Hazards such as rollovers, crush injuries, moving plant, unstable ground, noise, vibration, and public interfaces
- Required controls such as exclusion zones, traffic management, spotters, seatbelts, pre-start checks, and communication methods
- Risk ratings, PPE, emergency procedures, worker sign-off, and review requirements
Why are Roller Operations SWMS Important?
Roller Operations SWMS are important because rollers are heavy mobile plant that can create serious risks when working near people, traffic routes, edges, slopes, trenches, and other plant. This is critically important on roadworks, civil, asphalting, and construction sites where rollers may operate in tight areas, near live traffic, or on ground that changes during the job.
Essentially, a Roller Operations SWMS helps confirm that the work steps, hazards, and safety controls have been reviewed before the task begins. Additionally, it gives project management teams clear documentation of the due diligence performed, supporting consultation, site coordination, and compliance with Australian WHS requirements for high risk construction work.
How to Create a Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
Creating your own Roller Operations SWMS form doesn’t have to be complicated. In this section, we break down the process step by step.
Before starting your Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) form, the following pre-requisites should be ready.
- Project or site details are required.
- Roller type and work area must be listed.
- High-risk construction work details must be covered.
- Hazards, risks, and control measures must be stated.
- Operator competency and plant inspection needs must be included.
- Required PPE, permits, and traffic controls must be noted.
- Worker sign-off and SWMS review requirements must be recorded.
Start with Project and SWMS Information
First, you need to place high-level general information at the beginning of your Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement to help establish context for the work to be done. Here are some examples of core elements that you can use:
- Project name and site location
- SWMS title and document reference number
- Description of roller operations to be completed
- Name of the PCBU, contractor, or subcontractor
- Names and roles of workers, supervisors, and plant operators
Identify the Scope of Roller Operations
Next, you will want to define the scope of work so it is clear what roller activities are covered by the SWMS. For example, you will want to list the following information in your Roller Operations SWMS:
- Type of roller being used
- Area where rolling or compaction will take place
- Materials being compacted, such as soil, asphalt, or road base
- Access routes and exclusion zones
- Plant, tools, and equipment required for the task
Assess Roller Operation Hazards
It is important that potential hazards are identified before roller operations start so the appropriate safety control measures can be implemented. Common hazards that you should look out for include:
- Rollover risks from slopes, edges, or unstable ground
- Contact with workers, pedestrians, vehicles, or other mobile plant
- Blind spots, reversing, or poor visibility
- Noise, vibration, dust, or fumes from plant operation
- Underground services, soft ground, or uneven surfaces
Record Safety Control Measures
After the hazards are identified, you will want to determine the appropriate safety control measures to reduce risks for your workers and nearby site personnel. Be sure to document the following information in your SWMS:
- Operator competency and plant pre-start checks
- Spotters, traffic controls, or exclusion zones, where required
- Seatbelt use, rollover protection, and safe travel speeds
- Safe approach distances from edges, trenches, and other hazards
- Dust control, noise control, and PPE requirements
Set Out the Work Method and Monitoring Requirements
Next, you will want to outline the work method so workers understand the safe sequence for completing roller operations. This section should also explain how the work will be checked while it is underway.
- Site inspection before rolling begins
- Roller start-up, travel, compaction, and shut-down steps
- Communication method between operators, spotters, and ground workers
- Inspection points during the work
- Stop work triggers for unsafe ground, poor visibility, or changing site conditions
Complete Review, Approval, and Worker Sign-Off
Complete your Roller Operations SWMS with review, approval, and worker sign-off to confirm that the work method and safety control measures have been communicated before work starts. Here are some examples of fields you can include:
- Names and roles of reviewers and approvers
- Date of review and approval
- Worker acknowledgement that the SWMS has been read and understood
- Supervisor or person in charge sign-off
- Revision number and next review trigger
Frequently asked questions
How to create SWMS process in an App or Software System
A well-designed SWMS process ensures workers clearly understand the hazards, risks, and required control measures to perform high-risk work, while enabling your team to easily document, review, and share safe work procedures before work begins.
40 minutes
Medium difficulty
Start your Roller Operations SWMS with General Information
It is important to begin your Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with key project, site, date, reference, and location details so the document can be traced to the correct roller activity. This section should use simple text and date fields for fields such as:
- Text field or Automatic Form Counter for SWMS Reference Number
- Date selector field for Date
- Text fields for Project Name and Address
- Text field for Single Day Weather
- Multi-line text field for Description of Works
Create a Section for Scope of Work, Hazards, and PPE
Next, create a section where users can select the project scope, possible hazards, and required PPE for the roller operations work. For simplicity, we recommend using multiple-choice selector fields for this section, with fields such as:
- Multiple-choice selector field for Project Scope, including Civil & Structural
- Multiple-choice selector field for Possible Hazards, including Communications, Dust, Fire & Explosion, Manual Handling, Moving Plant / Machinery, Noise / Vibration, Site Housekeeping, Slips / Trips / Falls, Traffic, Underground / Overhead Services, and Weather Conditions
- Multiple-choice selector field for PPE Required, including Ear Protection, Eye Protection, Hand Protection, Hard Hat, Illuminating Safety Vest, Safety Footwear, Sunglasses, and Sunscreen
- Conditional text field for other hazards or PPE not listed in the pre-filled choices
Create a Table for Material and Equipment Information
Users will next need to list the roller, communication equipment, plant float, and other equipment required for the task. We highly recommend using a table for this section so each item can be recorded with its make, asset details, and required training information.
- First column for Material or Equipment Name
- Second column for Make or Model
- Third column for Registration or Asset ID, if any
- Fourth column for Required License or Training, if any
- Rows for vibratory smooth drum roller, two-way UHF radio, plant float or low-loader trailer, and other task-specific equipment
Create a Table for the Method Statement and Risk Assessment
Next, create the main SWMS table where users can record each roller operations job step, hazards, risk scores, controls, and responsible persons. We highly recommend using a table for this section, with the following formatting for the columns:
- First column for Job Step
- Second column for Potential Hazards
- Third column for Initial Risk Score
- Fourth column for Controls
- Fifth column for Residual Risk Score
- Sixth column for Person Responsible
Add Pre-filled Method Statement Rows for Roller Operations Work
After the main table is created, add pre-filled rows that reflect the most common roller operations job steps in the attached SWMS. These rows help users complete the form faster while still allowing the SWMS to be adjusted for the actual site task.
- Row for Pre-start planning, site setup and roller inspection
- Row for Accessing, starting and preparing roller for movement
- Row for Moving roller to the work area
- Row for Compacting material with roller
- Row for Compacting near edges, excavations and slopes
- Row for Operating around workers, vehicles and mobile plant
- Row for Parking, fuel handling and shutting down roller
Create a Section for Additional High-Risk or Site-Specific Steps
Some roller operations may require extra job steps depending on plant float access, loading ramps, ground conditions, transport needs, or the way mobile plant is moved between work areas. We highly recommend creating an additional method statement table so users can add extra risk assessment rows when needed.
- Additional row for Loading and unloading roller from plant float
- Columns for Job Step, Potential Hazards, Likelihood, Consequence, Initial Risk Score, Controls, Residual Risk Score, and Person Responsible
- Text fields for controls covering firm and level ground, ramp checks, exclusion zones, spotter use, low-speed movement, manufacturer requirements, park brake use, shutdown, and approved transport restraints
- Dropdown fields for Likelihood and Consequence scores
Create a Section for Risk Matrix Guidance
Next, add a risk matrix section as a guide for users to assess initial and residual risk scores for any additional job steps they may add. We highly recommend using the following fields and features to help guide users:
- Pre-filled or photo of the Risk Matrix table showing Likelihood, Consequence, and Risk Score levels
- Pre-filled text field for Consequence ratings from 1 to 5
- Pre-filled text field for Likelihood ratings from 1 to 5
- Pre-filled guide for residual risk actions, including Low, Moderate, High, and Catastrophic risk outcomes
End your Roller Operations SWMS with Worker and Supervisor Sign-offs
Finally, complete the Roller Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with worker confirmation and sign-off fields for the responsible parties. If your app or software allows, use scan-to-sign and automatic e-signature fields to keep the sign-off process digital.
- A scan to sign-on table for workers sign-off
- E-signature field for Supervisor Sign-off
- E-signature field for Project Manager Sign-off
- Automatic date and time stamp fields for each sign-off
About the author
Ron Gadugdug
Engineering Content Writer
Education:
Cebu Institute of Technology - University - Civil Engineering
Bio:
Ron is a Civil Engineer with 6 years of experience in the construction industry, primarily focused on quantity surveying, cost estimation, project management, quality control, contract administration, and property & engineering insurance. At Sitemate, he writes about practical applications of evolving technologies and digital solutions that support construction professionals in improving efficiency, compliance, and project delivery across the built world.
Project Details:
Quantity Surveying & Cost Engineering
Performed quantity take-offs of several high-rise and horizontal structures using sheets and applications like Revit and Bluebeam Revu, and spearheaded trials with Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
Project Management & Consultancy
Coordinated with project management teams during the construction of local projects such as a 4-tower hotel & resort, a 22 storey condominium project, and a school dormitory project.
Contract Administration
Assisted during contract biddings and negotiations with general contractors and sub-contractors, and oversaw progress reporting, billings, and payment.
Property & Engineering Insurance
Dedicated non-life claims handler, overseeing property and contractor all-risk insurance claims, risk management, and bonds.
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