High Risk Construction Work Safe Work Method Statement Sample

NOTE: Work must be performed in accordance with this SWMS.

This SWMS must be kept and be available for inspection until the high risk construction work to which this SWMS relates is completed.
If the SWMS is revised, all versions should be kept.
If a notifiable incident occurs in relation to the high risk construction work in this SWMS, the SWMS must be kept for at least 2 years from the date of the notifiable incident.
[PCBU Name, contact details] Principal Contractor (PC) [Name, contact details]
Works Manager: Date SWMS provided to
Contact phone: PC:

Work activity: [Job description] Workplace location:

High risk
construction
 Risk of a person falling more than 2  Work on a telecommunication tower  Demolition of load-bearing structure
work: metres (note: in some jurisdictions this is
3 metres)

 Likely to involve disturbing asbestos  Temporary load-bearing support for structural alterations or  Work in or near a confined space
repairs

 Work in or near a shaft or trench  Use of explosives  Work on or near pressurised gas
deeper than 1.5 m or a tunnel mains or piping

 Work on or near chemical, fuel or  Work on or near energised electrical installations or services  Work in an area that may have a
refrigerant lines contaminated or flammable atmosphere

 Tilt-up or precast concrete elements  Work on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or  Work in an area with movement of
other traffic corridor in use by traffic other than pedestrians powered mobile plant

 Work in areas with artificial extremes  Work in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of  Diving work
of temperature drowning

 Work that involves the cutting of  

crystalline silica material using a power
tool or another mechanical process.
Person responsible for ensuring compliance with Date SWMS received:
SWMS:

What measures are in place to ensure compliance with Note: How do you intend to monitor SWMS Compliance
the SWMS?
Person responsible for reviewing SWMS control Date SWMS received by reviewer:
measures:
How will the SWMS control measures be reviewed?
Review date: Reviewer’s signature:

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What are the tasks involved? What are the hazards and risks? What are the control measures?
List the work tasks in a logical order. Identify the hazards and risks that may Describe what will be done to control the risk. What will you
cause harm to workers or the public. do to make the activity as safe as possible?
Note: HRCW activities are listed in this column Note: These hazards and risks refer to High Keep it simple and practical – this is what you will need to monitor
Risk construction work as defined in Clause your compliance against.
291

Work in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or Workers being struck by • No loading or unloading will be
other traffic corridor that is in use by traffic other than undertaken outside designated
pedestrians. vehicles in adjacent live road
or traffic corridor. loading zone.
• No loading or unloading of trucks
• Delivery and removal of Formwork Vehicles in adjacent road or
unless trained road traffic
material adjacent to live roadway traffic corridor being struck
controller(s) are in place to direct
by falling material
vehicle traffic and pedestrians during
loading and unloading works.
• All material being loaded onto trucks
will be strapped; no free loads will be
transported or loaded
• Only workers directly involved in
loading and unloading will be
allowed in the loading and
unloading zone.
• Prior to releasing straps drive to
ensure load has not shifted during
transport.

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Movement of powered mobile plant. Workers being struck by • Exclusion zone for mobile plant to be
powered mobile plant clearly identified and controlled
• Delivery and removal of Formwork during vehicle loading/unloading
including delivery
material onto and off site operations.
vehicle/crane and
forklift/telehandlers used for • Travel paths for mobile plant will be
loading and unloading. clearly identified (signage and
barricades as per site plan), a
Failure of plant during
supervisor will be present during
operation.
vehicle loading/unloading
operations.
• All operators (crane/forklift) and
dogman are to hold a current High
Risk Work Licence and be
appropriately trained in the task.
• Plant is to be inspected and
maintained in accordance with
manufacture’s requirements.
Falling more than 2 metres Materials and/or person/s • Prior to releasing straps driver to
falling from truck ensure load has not shifted during
• Delivery and removal of Formwork (dogman/driver) transport.
material • Loads to be placed on pallets, stillage
• Erecting falsework and timbers above 2 or pre-slung prior to arriving on site.
metres Driver releasing straps from
load • Platform/ladder to be available to
• Laying out ply sheets to the top of joists
release straps caught on load.
• Cutting in penetrations for
columns/service risers • False work and formwork will be
Workers falling during
• Installation of walls and columns installed by competent workers in
falsework and timber bearer
• Stripping formwork and false work accordance with manufactures
and joist installation
design or engineered
recommendations.
Workers fall through column • Where there is a potential to fall less
penetrations/service risers than 2 metres whilst erecting frames
or timbers, an intermediate work
Workers fall from height platform may be used that is at least

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 installing walls and columns 450mm wide and a continuous deck
will be installed for falls greater than
2 metres.
Workers falling during
formwork and falsework • Intermediate working platforms for
stripping. installation of false work and timber
bearer and joist will be a minimum of
450mm wide.
• Handrails (no less than 900mm in
height), mid rails and kick boards
will be installed on formwork decks to
prevent workers and objects falling.
Handrails are to be robust
construction and installed in
accordance with the specific design.
• Timber joist will be installed on top of
bearers from below and be spaced at
450mm centres, 400mm gaps.
• Ply sheets will be laid progressively in
front of the worker, and a minimum
of 1800mm will be maintained if no
edge protection is in place.
• Catch decks will be installed directly
beneath column penetrations whilst
being cut in.
• All penetrations will be fully covered
with ply mechanically fixed (screwed
or nailed) and marked with
“Penetration below”.
• Intermediate working platforms for
installation of walls and columns will
have handrails (900mm-1000mm)
mid-rails and be a minimum of
450mm wide.

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 • False work and formwork will be
dismantled by competent workers
in accordance with the
manufacturers or engineered
design.
• Fall control measures for stripping
will be as installation methods in
reverse sequence.
Temporary load-bearing support for structural Workers exposed to incomplete • A structural inspection and formwork
alterations or repairs formwork falling through or sign off will be undertaken by a
off formwork decks. competent person prior to materials
• Other trades accessing formwork to being loaded onto formwork deck.
prepare for concrete • Supervisor will consult with the crane
• Concrete placement False work and formwork
collapse causing injuries. crew prior to any materials being
• Stripping of false work and formwork loaded onto the formwork decks.
• Formworkers only on incomplete
Structural collapse due to decks.
insufficient concrete strength.
• Straight to the point supervisor will
consult with other supervisors prior to
Structural collapse due to any workers accessing the formwork
overloading incomplete deck.
formwork decks. • A structural inspection and formwork
sign off will be undertaken by a
competent structural engineer prior
to pouring concrete.
• Concrete strength results will be
verified by a competent person prior to
stripping commencing.

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PLEASE NOTE: THE TRIAL PERIOD FOR THIS DOCUMENT HAS CONCLUDED AND IS NOW BEING REVIEWED. THE CONTROLS ARE INDICATIVE ONLY AND WILL
CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SITE CONDITIONS.

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