Activity

An SWMS is a document that sets out the High danger construction work (HRCW) activities to be performed at a work environment, the threats developing from these activities and the steps to be put in place to control the threats to health and safety.

Tuesday, 24th May 2022.

Its primary function is to help employees and managers to execute and monitor the control determines developed to make sure the work is carried out safely.

What is ‘high threat construction work’ (HRCW)?

High risk construction work is specified in WHS regulations as construction work that:.

includes a risk of an individual falling more than 2 metres (3 metres in South Australia); or.

involves demolition of an aspect of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure; or.

involves, or is most likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos; or.

involves structural modifications or repair work that require short-lived support to prevent collapse; or.

is performed in an area at an office in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant; or.

is carried out in or near a restricted area; or.

is performed in or near:.

a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1 5 metres; or.

a tunnel; or.

includes the use of explosives; or.

is carried out on or near pressurised gas circulation mains or piping; or.

is performed on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines; or.

is performed on or near energised electrical setups or services; or.

is performed in an area that might have a polluted or flammable atmosphere; or.

involves tilt-up or precast concrete; or.

is performed on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, delivering lane or other traffic passage that remains in usage by traffic other than pedestrians; or.

is performed on a telecommunication tower; or.

is performed in a location at an office in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant; or.

is carried out in a location in which there are synthetic extremes of temperature level; or.

is performed in or near water or other liquid that includes a threat of drowning; or.

involves diving work.

Keep In Mind: Victorian OHS policies have some minor variations of the above definition of HRCW.

How do I go about preparing a SWMS?

A typical method to developing a SWMS involves the following:.

Gather all pertinent information about the work.

The very first task is to figure out the kinds of HRCW that the work includes and how it is to be carried out.

Discover the hazards.

Evaluation the proposed work and details about each task to identify the hazards, i.e., the occasions or things that might cause harm to workers or other people. Details, such as codes of practice or assistance material, might be available in the website of your regional workplace health and wellness regulator for particular construction tasks.

Consult with the pertinent employees.

In assessment with the workers that will undertake the HRCW, their managers and health and wellness representatives (if any) evaluate the regional health and wellness requirements, and the proposed work.

Consider the views of workers about the hazards, the prospective risk control procedures and any site-specific matters that may affect the security of the work. If there are other employees that could be affected by the work they should likewise be sought advice from.

Keep in mind: There is a legal responsibility to speak with affected workers and their health and wellness representatives when determining dangers or choosing measures to control danger, and to take their views into account.

Select the most appropriate control procedures to eliminate or lower risks.

To choose the most appropriate control measures you need to apply the ‘hierarchy of control’ as detailed in steps 1 to 5 below. HIA’s details sheet The Hierarchy of Control describes how the hierarchy of control applies to the requirements for managing workplace hazards and risks.

First, you should look for to get rid of dangers up until now as is fairly practicable (e.g., doing as much work as possible on the ground rather than at height).

If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risks, you should carry out any particular control steps that are obligatory by law in your State or Territory.

Some workplace health and wellness laws prescribe specific control steps that need to be gotten handling dangers to health and safety arising from particular dangers or activities. Examples include, however are not restricted to, work including asbestos, work at height, work in confined areas. Specific requirements remain in the workplace health and wellness laws readily available in the website of your local workplace health and safety regulator.

After carrying out action 2, if a danger remains, the risk must be lowered so far as is reasonably practicable by executing one, or a mix of the following:.

Substituting a procedure or substance with one that is less dangerous. For instance, damp sweeping instead of dry sweeping of harmful dusts such as crystalline silica.

Isolating employees and other persons from the hazard. For example by setting up barriers between workers and mobile plant.

Using engineering controls. For example, using a raised work platform or a scaffold to decrease the risk of falling from height.

If after executing the above control measures a danger to health or safety still stays, lower that danger, so far as is fairly practicable, by using administrative controls. This consists of, safety training, work instructions, cautioning signs and supervision. If a scaffold utilised to lower threats you may require to consist of scaffold tags revealing appropriate optimum loads, signs for incomplete scaffolds. You might also need to explain the training required for those putting up the scaffold and the guidance of scaffold users.

If a threat to health or security still stays after executing the above, decrease that danger, up until now as is fairly practicable by supplying individual protective devices (PPE). This includes Utilising protective clothing such as safety glasses, construction hats, gloves, breathing protection, or a combination of suitable PPE.

A combination of control steps will require to be used to minimise threats as far as is fairly practicable.

Writing the SWMS – What information must be consisted of?

A SWMS needs to:.

recognise the work that is high threat construction work.

specify the threats connecting to the high danger construction work and the threats to health and safety.

describe the measures to be carried out to manage the dangers, and.

describe how the control steps are to be executed, kept an eye on and reviewed.

For an example of how to do this see: How to complete a SWMS when Utilising silica.

The control procedures must be set out and expressed in a way that is easily accessible and comprehensible to the individuals who will use the SWMS. Describe in clear terms how threats to health and safety are to be controlled to allow the work to be done securely, and how the control steps are to be carried out.

You can utilise any type or design template to write the SWMS, consisting of paper and electronic formats, offered the above details is consisted of and is readily accessible.

Can I use a generic SWMS?

A generic SWMS can be used after it has actually been reviewed and revised as essential to ensure that it covers all the dangers and threats that are present on the website where the work is to be carried out. A generic SWMS requires to be reviewed/revised prior to starting the work and prior to commencing a new activity or a modification in work place or circumstances.

To learn more about SWMS and your responsibilities go to the site of your local workplace health and wellness authority and search for safe work approach statements.

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