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Version No: V2.0

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Contractor - Safe Work Method Issued: 28 May 2015
Reviewed: 31 May 2017
Statement Next Review: 30 May 2020

Contractors must complete a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) prior to commencing the contract work if the
contract work involves high risk construction work (refer to the WHS Construction Activities Guidance Checklist
(Document No. 12.3.35.13.1) if high risk construction work is being undertaken to check legislative requirements
are met).
A SWMS sets out the work activities in a logical sequence and identifies hazards and describes control measures.
The description of the process should not be so broad that it leaves out activities with the potential to cause
accidents and prevents proper identification of the hazards, nor is it necessary to go into fine detail of the tasks.
The SWMS must be able to be easily read by those who need to know what has been planned to manage the risks,
implement the control measures and ensure the work is being carried out in accordance with the SWMS.
Relevant persons include the:
(a) Supervisor of the high risk construction work
(b) Worker carrying out the high risk construction work
(c) Principal Contractor (if it is a construction project) or the person who has management and control over the
high risk construction work.

1. Recommended steps for filling out the SWMS template

1.1. Consult with relevant workers, contractors and Health and Safety Representatives involved with the high risk
construction work, the activities involved, and associated hazards, risks and controls.
1.2. In the ‘What is the high risk construction work?’ column, identify the high risk construction work for the
construction work activity that will be undertaken.
1.3. In the ‘What are the hazards and risks?’ column, list the hazards and risks for each high risk construction work
activity.
1.4. Identify the workplace circumstances that may affect the way in which the high risk construction work will
be done. Examples of workplace circumstances that may impact on the hazards and risks include:
(a) information relating to the design of the structure, the workplace (e.g. location, access, transport), and
information contained in the WHS Management Plan
(b) information on any ‘essential services’ located on or near the workplace
(c) confirmation that the regulator has been advised of any ‘notifiable work’ (e.g. demolition work
involving explosives)
(d) safe work methods and plant to be used.
1.5. In the ‘How will the hazards and risks be controlled?’ column, select an appropriate control or combination
of controls by working through the hierarchy of controls. It is important that you are able to justify why the
selected control measure is reasonably practicable for the specific workplace.

2. Selecting control measures

2.1. Eliminate the risks so far as is reasonable practicable
2.2. If this is not reasonably practicable, minimise the risks so far as reasonably practicable by applying the
following hierarchy of control measures:
(a) substituting the hazard with something that gives risk to a lesser risk
(b) isolating the hazard from the person exposed to it
(c) Implementing engineering controls i.e. provided a physical barrier, change design or layout of work
areas, use of mechanical aids or other engineered modifications to manage the hazard.
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Contractor - Safe Work Method Issued: 28 May 2015
Reviewed: 31 May 2017
Statement Next Review: 30 May 2020

(d) If the risk still remains, minimise the remaining risk by implementing administrative controls i.e.
establish policies, procedures & work practices, provide training
(e) If the risk still remains, minimise the remaining risk by ensuring the provision and use of suitable
personal protective equipment (PPE).

3. SWMS compliance (information, monitoring and review)

3.1. Brief each team member on the SWMS before commencing work. Ensure each team member knows work is
to stop if the SWMS is not followed.
3.2. Observe the work being carried out and monitor compliance with the SWMS. Review risk controls regularly,
including:
(a) before a change occurs to the work itself, the system of work or the work location
(b) if a new hazard associated with the work is identified
(c) when new or additional information about the hazard becomes available
(d) when a notifiable incident occurs in relation to the work
(e) when risk controls are inadequate or the SWMS is not being followed.
In all of the above situations stop the work, review the SWMS, adjust as required and re-brief the team.
3.3. Keep the SWMS in a readily available location for the duration of the high risk construction work and is
retained in accordance with current State Record requirements.

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Issued: 28 May 2015
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Next Review: 30 May 2020
NOTE: Work must be performed in accordance with this SWMS.
The SWMS must be kept and be available for inspection until the high risk construction work to which this SWMS relates is complete.
If the SWMS is revised, all versions should be kept.
(Insert PCBU Name) ABN: Principal Contractor (PC)
(Insert Address) Phone: [Name, ABN, Office Address]
(Town State Postcode) Fax: (if applicable)
Email:
Contract Manager: Date SWMS Provided to PC: (if applicable)
Contact Phone:
Work Activity [Job description]: Work Location:

High Risk Construction Work: ☐ Risk of a person falling more than 3 metres ☐ Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant ☐ Demolition of load-bearing structure
[as defined by the Work Health & ☐ Likely to involve disturbing asbestos ☐ Work on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines ☐ Work in or near a confined space
Safety Regulations 2012 (291)] ☐ Work on a telecommunication tower ☐ Work in areas with artificial extremes of temperature ☐ Diving work
☐ Work on or near pressurised gas mains or ☐ Involves structural alterations or repairs that require ☐ Use of explosives
piping temporary support to prevent collapse
☐ Work on or near energised electrical ☐ Work in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk ☐ Tilt-up or precast concrete elements
installations or services of drowning
☐ Work on, in or adjacent to a road, railway or ☐ Work in an area that may have a contaminated or ☐ Work in or near a shaft or trench deeper than
other traffic corridor in use by traffic other flammable atmosphere 1.5 m or a tunnel
than pedestrians
Person Responsible for ensuring Date SWMS Received:
compliance with SWMS
What measures are in place to ensure
compliance with the SWMS?
Person(s) Responsible for reviewing the Date SWMS Received by Reviewer:
SWMS
How will SWMS control measures be
reviewed?
Review Date: Reviewer’s Signature:

Workers Name: Signature: Date: Workers Name: Signature: Date:

Workers Name: Signature: Date: Workers Name: Signature: Date:

Workers Name: Signature: Date: Workers Name: Signature: Date:

Workers Name: Signature: Date: Workers Name: Signature: Date:

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Next Review: 30 May 2020

What are the tasks involved? What are the hazards and risks? What are the control measures?
(What is the problem?) (Describe the control measures and how they will be used)
Think about the workplace and each stage of the work, including preparation and clean-up.
List the work tasks in a logical order Identify the hazards and risks that may SWI # to be followed Describe what will be done to control the risk. What will you do to make the
cause harm to workers or the public. activity as safe as possible?

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