Safe Work Method Statements
SWMS Australia – Safe Work Method Statements
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SWMS Blank Template (Free Download)
We have a Free blank SWMS template available for instant download and modification (SWMS Template) For all other templates & resources, continue below.
Instant Download SWMS
Browse your industry to find SWMS available for instant download or customisation by us.
What is a SWMS – Safe Work Method Statement?
SWMS is a document that outlines the high risk construction work activities which are carried out at a workplace in Australia, it covers the safety hazards which arise from these work activities, as well as the measures to be put in place to control the risks.
SWMS can be used for work that involves multiple high risk construction work activities, such as a work activity that requires using powered mobile plant, or working at heights of more than 2 metres, and also working adjacent to a road used by traffic other than pedestrians.
SWMS is classed as an administrative control. It is used for supporting higher order controls to help eliminate or minimize any risks to health and safety.
SWMS is usually different from other documents that are focused on specific tasks or processes – Job Safety Analysis or a Safe Operating Procedure for example.
SWMS is not intended to be a procedure, instead, it is a tool to help both supervisors and workers to confirm and monitor the control measures which are required in the workplace.
The main goal of is to help identify and understand the requirements to carry out high-risk construction work in Australia.
SWMS Australia
Below are SWMS templates we offer Nationwide for all states within Australia.
SWMS – Working At Heights
The Working at Heights SWMS references all of the relevant legislation, codes of practice and Australian standards as required for all states within Australia.
SWMS – Confined Space Entry
The Confined Space Entry SWMS references all of the relevant legislation, codes of practice and Australian standards as required for all states within Australia.
SWMS – Trenching and Excavation
The Trenching and Excavation SWMS references all of the relevant legislation, codes of practice and Australian standards as required for all states within Australia.
SWMS – Hot Work
The Hot Work SWMS references all of the relevant legislation, codes of practice and Australian standards as required for all states within Australia.
SWMS/Risk Assessment – COVID-19
The COVID-19 SWMS is Customised for your state & addition of company name and logo.
It details various risks involved with the current Pandemic and methods of control to ensure documented compliance with Government requirements.
How to use an SWMS
A Safe Work Method Statement must be prepared before the work commences.
A generic Safe Work Method Statement may be used for work activities that are undertaken out on a regular basis. The content of this type of Safe Work Method Statement may be refined over many years and include consultation with workers and other contractors.
Before each new activity, the SWMS must be reviewed and revised to ensure it applies to the work and the actual workplace.
SWMS Template (Free Download)
We have a Free template available for instant download and modification (SWMS Template)
Need Help Writing Your SWMS?
Save yourself the time and hassle – we are experts at writing Safe Work Method Statements for a variety of businesses/industries including:
- All Building and Construction Trades
- Various Plant and Equipment
- Civil
- Cleaners
- Manufacturing
- Risk Assessments for Vets, Gyms, Disability and Care services.
- Other workplaces as required.
Our SWMS are customised to your business and include all steps, risks and controls and the relevant legislation for your state and operations.
Contact us for a quote.
SWMS (Safe Work Method Statements):
What do I need to do?
Who should prepare a SWMS?
The principal contractor, builder and subcontractors should consult with each other to help determine who is in the best position to prepare the SWMS.
Managers, contractors, leading hands and other workers should all be involved in the process of developing a SWMS. Consulting workers is useful so they fully understand the detail of the SWMS and what the requirements are to implement and maintain risk controls. Sharing the information, and using the knowledge and experience of all relevant workers will help make sure the work is performed in accordance with the SWMS to help minimize risk.
If there is a Health and Safety Representative at the workplace, they need to also be consulted when developing a SWMS.
Can a generic SWMS be used?
A generic SWMS template that is used at different workplaces may not meet the requirements of the WHS laws unless it has been reviewed initially in order to take into account any and all hazards/risks at the specific workplace and be amended where necessary.
One SWMS can be prepared so that it covers a variety of tasks, as long as it takes into account the changing nature of the work environment. As an alternative, a separate SWMS can be prepared for each high risk construction work activity. In this case, try to consider situations where different activities will impact each other, for example using powered mobile plant during the construction of a tunnel.
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