A SWMS is critical for construction based businesses

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is responsible for preparing a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS), (or ensuring a SWMS has been prepared) —for high risk construction work activities.

SWMS are required for the 18 high risk construction work activities defined in the WHS Regulations.

A SWMS must be prepared before the work starts. For all other construction activities a SWMS is not required. However, a PCBU must still manage, eliminate and minimise safety and health risks.

A SWMS template outlines the information that needs to be included in a SWMS, and therefore is a very useful resource for construction based business operators, small or large.

What is included in the SWMS template?

It sets out the work activities to be carried out at a construction site, the hazards arising from these activities, and the measures to be put in place to control the risks.

One SWMS can be used for work that involves multiple high risk construction work activities. For example, a work activity that requires using powered mobile plant, working at heights of more than 2 metres and working adjacent to a road used by traffic other than pedestrians.

Ready to get started?

Select your state to access your state authority guidelines and download the most current SWMS template

Need help?

With over 25 years in the building and construction industry, as well as experience in the Water, Telecommunications and Civil industries, I consider “Safety First Always! my motto.

Over the years I had worked with many different PCBU’s as a full-time safety officer, advisor and systems manager. One of the biggest conversation points revolved around “spreading safety resources across a number of projects.” And, also reducing the time and complexities around safety training and WHS compliance.

As a holistic safety practitioner, my aim was to close these gaps by constructing simple and fast safety solutions that could “fit” across multiple projects. And that’s what we’ll help you do at SMB Safety.

Our proven systems to make a site “safer, better- and faster” has enabled us to partner with leading construction companies across Australia that trust our expertise and care to help them achieve their safety goals, and most importantly- dramatically reduce the risks and costs of “not playing it safe”.

Ready to play it safe?

Contact Sean for a FREE no- obligation consultation and discover how we can help make your site safer, better – and faster