SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT (SWMS)

Company Details

Company Name: [COMPANY NAME] ABN: [ABN] Address: [ADDRESS]

Project / Job Details

Site Address: [SITE ADDRESS] Job Title / Description: [JOB DESCRIPTION] Date of Work: [DATE] SWMS Number: [SWMS NUMBER]

High Risk Construction Work (HRCW)

This SWMS applies to the following HRCW activities (check all that apply):

• Work involving a risk of a fall over 2 metres
• Work carried out on or near energised electrical installations
• Work involving the use of powered mobile plant
• Work involving structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support
• Work in or near a confined space
• Work in or near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 metres
• Work involving the use of explosives
• Work on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping
• Work on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
• Work near traffic
• Work near moving plant
• Work on or near water
• Work that involves demolition
• Work that involves asbestos

Sign-Off (Preparation)

I confirm this SWMS accurately identifies the risks and control measures for the work described.

Principal Contractor / PCBU Representative: ______________________ Date: //____ Signature: ______________________

1. Job Steps / Tasks

List each step of the bricklaying or blocklaying task in sequence.

Step	Description of Task
1	[e.g. Site set up and exclusion zones]
2	[e.g. Delivery and loading of bricks/blocks]
3	[e.g. Mixing mortar]
4	[e.g. Erecting scaffold / working platform]
5	[e.g. Laying bricks / blocks]
6	[e.g. Cutting masonry]
7	[e.g. Installation of lintels and ties]
8	[e.g. Cleaning up and dismantling scaffold]

2. Hazards, Risks and Control Measures

Job Step	Hazard(s)	Potential Harm	Risk Rating (Before Controls)	Control Measures (Hierarchy of Controls)	Risk Rating (After Controls)
[Insert Step 1]	[e.g. Slips, trips, falls]	[e.g. Fractures, bruising]	[M/H/L]	Elimination/Minimisation: <br>1. Keep work area clean and free of debris.<br>2. Ensure adequate lighting.<br>Admin: <br>3. Inspect site daily.<br>PPE: <br>4. Steel capped boots.	[M/H/L]
[Insert Step 2]	[e.g. Heavy lifting, manual handling]	[e.g. Back injury, MSD]	[M/H/L]	Substitution: <br>1. Use a brick cart or conveyor.<br>Engineering: <br>2. Store materials at waist height.<br>Admin: <br>3. Rotate tasks to avoid fatigue.<br>PPE: <br>4. Safety gloves.	[M/H/L]
[Insert Step 3]	[e.g. Cement dust, silica]	[e.g. Silicosis, skin irritation]	[M/H/L]	Engineering: <br>1. Keep mixer lid closed.<br>2. Use dust extraction if dry mixing.<br>Admin: <br>3. Work upwind.<br>PPE: <br>4. P2 Respirator, safety glasses, long sleeves.	[M/H/L]
[Insert Step 4]	[e.g. Fall from height]	[e.g. Serious injury, death]	[H]	Substitution: <br>1. Use scaffold instead of ladders.<br>Engineering: <br>2. Ensure scaffold is tagged and compliant (AS 1576).<br>3. Install toe boards and handrails.<br>Admin: <br>4. Only licensed scaffolders to erect scaffold.<br>PPE: <br>5. Safety use if required.	[L]
[Insert Step 5]	[e.g. Falling objects]	[e.g. Head injury]	[H]	Engineering: <br>1. Use toe boards on scaffold.<br>2. Use debris nets.<br>Admin: <br>3. Establish exclusion zone below work area.<br>4. Do not throw tools or materials.<br>PPE: <br>5. Hard hat.	[L]
[Insert Step 6]	[e.g. Noise, dust from cutting]	[e.g. Hearing loss, lung disease]	[H]	Engineering: <br>1. Use wet cutting saw.<br>2. Attach vacuum to power tools.<br>Admin: <br>3. Isolate cutting area.<br>PPE: <br>4. Class 5 earmuffs, P2 respirator, eye protection.	[L]
[Insert Step 7]	[e.g. Working near power lines]	[e.g. Electrocution]	[H]	Elimination: <br>1. De-energise if possible.<br>Engineering: <br>2. Use non-conductive ladders.<br>Admin: <br>3. Check 'Dial Before You Dig' plans.<br>4. Maintain safe clearance distances.<br>PPE: <br>5. Rubber gloves.	[L]
[Insert Step 8]	[e.g. Working with powered mobile plant]	[e.g. Crush injury]	[H]	Engineering: <br>1. Use traffic control barriers.<br>2. Fit reversing alarms and signals.<br>Admin: <br>3. Use spotters / doggers.<br>4. No pedestrian access in loading zones.<br>PPE: <br>5. High visibility vest.	[L]

3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Specify the PPE required for all tasks.

• Safety Helmet (AS/NZS 1801)
• High Visibility Clothing (AS/NZS 4602)
• Safety Boots (AS/NZS 2210)
• Safety Glasses / Goggles (AS/NZS 1337)
• Hearing Protection (Class 5)
• Dust Mask (P2)
• Sun Protection (Hat, Sunscreen 30+)
• Gloves (Cut resistant or general purpose)
• Safety Use (if working at heights > 2m without scaffold)
• Wet Weather Gear

4. Emergency Procedures

Emergency Services: 000 Nearest Hospital: [HOSPITAL NAME AND ADDRESS] Emergency Assembly Point: [LOCATION]

First Aid:

• First Aid Kit located at [LOCATION]
• Trained First Aider: [NAME]

Incident Reporting:

• All incidents, including near misses, must be reported to the Supervisor immediately.
• Serious incidents must be reported to SafeWork NSW immediately.

Fire Safety:

• Fire Extinguishers located at: [LOCATIONS]
• Fire Hose Reel located at: [LOCATION]

5. Training and Competency

Workers carrying out these tasks must have the following training and licenses:

• General Construction Induction Card (White Card)
• Site Specific Induction
• High Risk Work License (Scaffolding Basic/Intermediate) - [NAME]
• High Risk Work License (Forklift) - [NAME]
• Manual Handling Training
• Working at Heights Training

6. Review and Monitoring

This SWMS must be reviewed:

• If a hazard is identified that is not covered.
• If an incident occurs.
• If control measures are not effective.
• Before any changes to the work method.
• At regular intervals (at least every 2 years).

Last Review Date: [DATE] Next Review Date: [DATE]

7. Worker Sign-Off

I have read and understood the content of this SWMS. I agree to follow the control measures listed.

Worker Name	Signature	Date
[WORKER 1]
[WORKER 2]
[WORKER 3]
[WORKER 4]
[WORKER 5]