#swmscarpentry

What is a Carpentry SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement)?

A Carpentry SWMS is a document that outlines safety procedures and precautions. It must be followed when performing high-risk carpentry work. Importantly, a SWMS identifies and assesses the hazards associated with high-risk work. It then establishes measures to control and manage them. Find out more about SWMS in our blog What is a SWMS?

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This Carpentry Framing Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a complete and comprehensive document outlining on-site procedures.

The Builder Assist Framing SWMS is the most up to date building industry SWMS template and complies with the Work Health and Safety Regulations and Practices.

The Builder Assist Safe Work Method Statements are industry leading templates written and developed by building industry experts.

When it comes to carpentry work on Australian construction sites, safety must come first. Whether you’re framing a house, installing trusses or cutting timber, the risks are real. That’s where a SWMS for carpentry comes in.

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is not just a compliance document. It’s a practical safety tool that guides workers through high-risk activities. If you’re wondering what should be included in a carpentry SWMS example, this article breaks it down clearly and simply.

A SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is a legal requirement under Australian WHS regulations for any high-risk construction work. In the case of carpentry, this includes tasks involving power tools, working at heights, handling timber and using ladders or scaffolding.

A SWMS carpentry outlines:

The scope of work

Potential hazards

Control measures to manage those risks

A clear sequence of safe steps to perform the task

It ensures that both the workers and supervisors are on the same page when it comes to safety and responsibilities.

Carpentry work may seem routine but it often involves hazardous equipment and activities. A well-prepared carpentry SWMS helps:

Prevent injuries and accidents

Ensure legal compliance with WHS laws

Promote a strong safety culture on site

Provide evidence of due diligence if an incident occurs

Failing to use or follow a SWMS can lead to legal action, fines or stop-work notices from safety regulators. That’s why every professional carpenter or subcontractor should treat a SWMS as a must-have not just a formality.

A strong and clear SWMS should cover every major aspect of the task. Let’s walk through what to include in a SWMS carpentry template.

When used effectively, SWMS for plumbers and other essential documents, ensure safety and regulatory requirements are met.

Similarly with many trades, plumbing work presents a number of safety risks. Not only that, plumbers are responsible for identifying hazards on site prior to commencing work.

Here are some of the safety risks associated with plumbing:

Working at heights: Plumbers are often required to work on roofs and at heights that require a significant level of safety planning.

Exposed electrical wires: Electrical wiring is a common hazard for plumbers, who may unknowingly come into contact with live wires.

Confined spaces: Plumbers are often required to work in confined spaces, such as crawl spaces, which can be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken.

Chemicals and gases: Plumbers work with a range of chemicals, including corrosive materials and gases, which can be hazardous, if not handled correctly.

Heavy lifting: Carrying heavy equipment and materials can result in musculoskeletal injuries and other health and safety issues.

What is a SWMS for Plumbers?

Safety documentation is essential for plumbers on work sites. Arguably, one of the most valuable documents is a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for plumbers.

A plumbing SWMS outlines the steps required to complete a specific task safely. It is a Work Health and Safety requirement for high-risk construction work and is often used in conjunction with a risk assessment. Therefore, plumbers are required to follow their site’s SWMS to ensure each high-risk job is completed to the safest identified standard.

What components should be included in a SWMS for plumbers?

In short, a SWMS for Plumbers breaks down the tasks of a job into steps. Each step is reviewed to identify the safest and most logical process for it to be completed. Furthermore, a SWMS outlines the control measures for any risks or hazards identified for each task.

At a minimum, a SWMS for plumbers should:

Identify ‘high-risk construction’ work;

Specify hazards relating to the high-risk construction work, and risks to health and safety associated with those hazards;

Outline the control measures to control the risks; and

Describe how the control measures are rolled out, monitored and reviewed.

If you’ve worked on a construction site, you’ve probably come across the term SWMS. But what is it exactly and when do you really need one?

A Safe Work Method Statement, or SWMS, is a key safety document on Australian worksites. It outlines how to carry out high-risk work safely. It helps workers understand the risks involved and how to manage them. Not every task requires a SWMS though. This guide will help you understand which jobs need one, what should be included and how it applies across different trades like carpentry, plumbing and electrical.

A construction SWMS isn’t just a formality. It’s a practical safety plan that outlines how to do a risky task without putting anyone in harm’s way.

Under work health and safety laws, certain high-risk construction tasks must have a SWMS before work begins. That applies whether you’re a builder, tradie, subcontractor or supervisor. It’s not about ticking boxes. It’s about keeping people safe and making sure everyone on site knows what to expect.

Safe Work Australia lists 18 high-risk construction activities that require a SWMS. If your job involves any of the following, you’ll need one in place before you start:

Working at heights above two metres

Operating or working near mobile plant or machinery

Working with live electrical systems

Demolition or structural changes

Excavation deeper than 1.5 metres

Working in or near a confined space

Using explosive-powered tools

Handling asbestos

Installing precast concrete

Working around chemical or fuel lines

Working in areas where there is a risk of drowning

Working on or near roads or traffic

Working in extreme temperatures

Working with flammable or contaminated atmospheres

Diving work

Working on telecommunications towers

And more

These tasks come with serious risks. A SWMS helps you plan how to carry them out safely.

Carpenters regularly deal with high-risk tasks like using power tools, working at heights and handling sharp materials. A proper SWMS carpentry plan should cover things like:

Installing roof frames or trusses

Building timber floors above ground

Using nail guns, saws and other tools

Working on scaffolding or elevated surfaces

Your carpentry SWMS should explain how each task will be done safely. That might include using fall protection, securing ladders or checking tools before use. If something on site changes, like weather or the order of tasks, your SWMS should be updated.

In a Safe Work Method Statement, a Hierarchy of Controls system is used as a framework to control high-risk activities. It is a step-by-step approach to eliminating or reducing risks. It ranks risk controls from the highest level of protection and reliability, through to the lowest and least reliable protection.

The person who is carrying out the high risk work ensures a SWMS is properly prepared. In addition, they ensure controls are in place to manage risks to the health and safety of workers. A copy of each SWMS is also given to the principal contractor before work starts.

SWMS Changes

Once a SWMS has been prepared, it can be changed. In fact, if the nature of the high-risk work changes, or additional risks are identified, such as visitors to site, work must stop immediately (or as soon as it is safe to do so). At that point, the SWMS must be reviewed and updated before work can commence again.

Your SWMS breaks down job activities into steps. Doing this ensures the most logical process is identified and the high risk construction work is completed safely.

Once the new risks and hazards are identified for each task, the person completing the SWMS is required to document the steps to control the risks.

Safe Work Method Statement high-risk activity example:

In this example, the high risk construction work involves moving formwork on and off site using a powered mobile plant. It is identified that one of the hazards and risks associated with this task is the potential for a worker to be struck by the powered mobile plant.

As builders, we always make sure we have the right tools in our toolbox before starting any job. But there’s one tool you can’t physically hold that’s just as important-a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS).

A SWMS is a legally required document for completing high-risk construction work. If you’re not already familiar with it, this document is essential for ensuring safety and compliance on every job site. Just like your tools, it’s a must-have for getting the job done right.

How do I know if I need a SWMS?

If you are completing high-risk construction work, you must have a SWMS completed before work commences. What is considered high risk? There are a variety of activities that are regarded as ‘high risk’ by Safe Work Australia. Some examples include:

Work that involves a risk of a person falling more than 2m.

Work that is carried out in or near a confined space.

Work that involves tilt-up or precast concrete.

Work that involves the demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing.

See the full list of examples of high-risk construction here.

The SWMS needs to be kept and made available on-site where the work is being carried out — it can be kept electronically if it’s made accessible to all workers.

As builders, we always make sure we have the right tools in our toolbox before starting any job. But there’s one tool you can’t physically hold that’s just as important—a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS).