SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT (SWMS)

Company / Project Details

Company Name: BuildRight Constructions Pty Ltd ABN: 12 345 678 901 Project Address: 45 Smith Street, Parramatta NSW Date of Preparation: 12/10/2023 Work Activity: Bricklaying - External Walls & BBQ Area

Step 1: Describe the High Risk Construction Work

High Risk Construction Work Checklist	Yes/No
Work involving a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres	YES
Work carried out on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping	NO
Work carried out on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines	NO
Work on or near energised electrical installations	NO
Work involving mobile plant	YES
Work in or near a confined space	NO
Work in or near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 metres	NO
Work involving demolition	NO
Work involving asbestos	NO
Work in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere	NO
Work involving tilt-up or precast concrete	NO
Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant	YES
Work on a telecommunications tower	NO
Work near traffic	NO

Description of Work: Construction of external brick veneer walls for new dwelling and construction of a raised brick BBQ. Work includes scaffolding setup, mortar mixing, brick cutting, and laying bricks at heights up to 4 metres using a telescopic handler.

Step 2: Hazard Identification

Step/Task	What is the Hazard?	How could it cause harm?	Risk Rating	Initial Controls
1. Loading Bricks via Telehandler	Moving machinery, falling loads	Crushing	H	Dedicated spotters, exclusion zone (3m), operator ticket, green tag
2. Manual Handling (Bundles)	Heavy lifting	Back strain	M	Use brick carts, lift in pairs, store at waist height
3. Work on Scaffolding	Fall from height (4m)	Death/Spinal injury	H	Full scaffold (tagged), guardrails, access ladder, MW induction
4. Cutting Bricks with Drop Saw	Silica dust, noise	Silicosis, hearing loss	H	Wet cutting on bench, P2 mask, ear muffs, wash down area
5. Falling Objects	Loose bricks/tools	Head injury	H	Toe boards on scaffold, no throwing bricks, clean walkways
6. Lime/Mortar Mixing	Cement burn	Dermatitis	M	Long sleeves, gloves, face shield, wash hands immediately
7. Working in Heat	UV exposure, dehydration	Sunstroke, fatigue	M	Start at 6am, 10min break per hour, provide water station

Step 3: Implementation of Control Measures

Key Task: Brick Cutting on Scaffolding

• Elimination: Not possible for this task.
• Substitution: Pre-cut bricks at ground level where possible to reduce height work.
• Isolation: Use a small wet-cut saw on the scaffold bay, ensure tarp is below to catch slurry.
• Engineering: Wet-cutting attachment connected to water supply. Use of RCD for saw power.
• Administrative: Only cut essential bricks. Clean slurry immediately (wet method).
• PPE: P2 respirator, safety glasses, ear muffs, nitrile gloves.

Key Task: Loading Materials

• Elimination: Delivery direct to scaffold by contractor.
• Engineering: Use of telescopic handler with brick grab.
• Administrative: Pedestrian exclusion zone enforced. Traffic controller present.
• PPE: High vis, steel caps, helmet.

Step 4: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Minimum PPE:

• High visibility shirt (orange)
• Safety helmet (white)
• Safety boots (elastic sided)
• Safety glasses
• Broad brim hat
• Sunscreen (SPF 50+)

Task Specific:

• P2 Respirator (cutting)
• Ear muffs (cutting)
• Heavy duty gloves (handling)
• Long sleeve shirt (mixing/cutting)

Step 5: Emergency Procedures

Incident Reporting: Contact Site Foreman, John Smith, on 0400 123 456.

First Aid: Kit located in site office near amenities. Nearest Hospital: Westmead Hospital, Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead.

Fire: Call 000. Meeting point at the front gate (Smith Street).

Step 6: Review and Monitoring

Review Triggers:

• If weather becomes wet and slippery (scaffolding risk).
• If new machinery brought to site.

Review Date: 25/10/2023

Signatures

Name	Role	Signature	Date
John Smith	Worker Rep	J.Smith	12/10/23
Mary Jones	PCBU	M.Jones	12/10/23
Steve Rogers	Worker	S.Rogers	12/10/23
Tony Stark	Worker	T.Stark	12/10/23