What is a SWMS, and do you need one?
A safe work method statement (SWMS) is a document that lists high risk construction work, the hazards and risks involved, and how those risks will be controlled, checked and reviewed. If your business does high risk construction work, the law says a SWMS must be ready before the work starts. Your workers should help prepare it.
What does SWMS stand for?
Safe work method statement.
What counts as high risk construction work?
Under the model WHS laws, used in every state and territory except Victoria, there are 18 types. A SWMS is needed if construction work:
- Involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres.
- Is carried out on a telecommunication tower.
- Involves demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure.
- Involves, or is likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos.
- Involves structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse.
- Is carried out in or near a confined space.
- Is carried out in or near a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 metres, or a tunnel.
- Involves the use of explosives.
- Is carried out on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping.
- Is carried out on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines.
- Is carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services.
- Is carried out in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere.
- Involves tilt-up or precast concrete.
- Is carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor that is in use by traffic other than pedestrians.
- Is carried out in an area at a workplace in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant.
- Is carried out in an area in which there are artificial extremes of temperature.
- Is carried out in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning.
- Involves diving work.
Victoria lists 19, because it treats trenches and tunnels as separate items, and its demolition item covers any demolition, not only load-bearing parts.
Want to see which of these come up in your work? Pick your trade.
What has to be in a SWMS?
Under the model WHS laws, a SWMS must:
- identify the work that is high risk construction work
- set out the hazards and the risks to health and safety
- describe the measures that will control those risks
- describe how those control measures will be put in place, monitored and reviewed.
It also has to be written so the people using it can understand it, and take into account the conditions at the workplace.
Who has to prepare it?
The business doing the high risk construction work, before the work starts. Workers who will do the work must be consulted when it is prepared, and again when it is reviewed.
Do I need a SWMS if my work is not high risk construction work?
No. A SWMS is not required for work that is not high risk construction work. You still have to manage the risks in your business, and written procedures are a good way to show you do. See SOPdocs.
Can I use a generic SWMS template?
As a starting point. Safe Work Australia says a generic SWMS used at different workplaces may not meet the WHS laws unless it has first been reviewed for the hazards and risks at that workplace and changed as needed. Safe Work Australia also has a free SWMS template if you want to write your own. Our Ready to Go SWMS is that kind of starting point, already written for common jobs in your trade: review it for each site before use. Fully Custom is written for how you work. Which one do you need?
What if the work is not being done the way the SWMS says?
Stop the work as soon as it is safe to, and only restart once it is being done the way the SWMS says. If the job has changed, update the SWMS.
How long do I keep a SWMS, and when do I review it?
- Keep it until the high risk construction work it covers is finished.
- If there is a notifiable incident, keep it for at least 2 years after the incident.
- Keep a copy where your workers can get to it, and available for an inspector.
- Review it, and change it if needed, whenever your risk control measures change.
Victoria's rules are worded a little differently: there, a SWMS is kept for the duration of the high risk construction work and reviewed whenever that work changes or the controls are not working.
Does the principal contractor need a copy?
On a construction project, yes. Under the model WHS laws, you give the principal contractor a copy before the high risk work starts. What counts as a construction project depends on where you are:
| Where | A construction project is |
|---|---|
| Model WHS laws | construction work costing $250,000 or more |
| WA | a site where 5 or more people are, or are likely to be, working at the same time |
| Victoria | a project costing $350,000 or more |
Check your own state's figure with your regulator: some states have made changes to the model laws.
Is an induction the same as a white card?
No. The white card is general construction induction training, done through a registered training provider, and anyone doing construction work needs it. A business's own induction covers its own sites and way of working. Our induction packs are the second kind.
Who checks SWMS?
Your state or territory WHS regulator. Safety laws vary between states, so check with yours:
| WA | WorkSafe WA |
| NSW | SafeWork NSW |
| Vic | WorkSafe Victoria |
| Qld | Workplace Health and Safety Queensland |
| SA | SafeWork SA |
| Tas | WorkSafe Tasmania |
| NT | NT WorkSafe |
| ACT | WorkSafe ACT |
Want yours written for you?
A Single SWMS is $79 Ready to Go, already written for your trade, or $195 Fully Custom, written from what you tell us about your work. A Trade Pack of 5 SWMS for the jobs you do most is $299 or $795. Prices include GST.