SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT (SWMS)

Company / Project Details

Company Name: [COMPANY NAME] ABN: [ABN] Project Address: [SITE ADDRESS] Date of Preparation: [DATE] Work Activity: General Masonry Work (Bricklaying/Blocklaying/Stonework)

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

Description of Work: [Brief description of the specific masonry tasks, e.g., Construction of external brick walls, installation of concrete block retaining walls, laying pavers, mixing mortar.]

Step 2: Hazard Identification

Step/Task	What is the Hazard?	How could it cause harm?	Risk Rating	Initial Controls
1. Delivery of Materials	Reversing vehicles/mobile plant	Crushing of pedestrians	[H/M/L]	Spotters, exclusion zones, barriers
2. Manual Handling (Unloading bricks/blocks)	Repetitive lifting, heavy loads	Musculoskeletal injury (back/shoulders)	[H/M/L]	Mechanical aids, team lifting, rotation
3. Work at Heights (Scaffolding) / Agresso deck	Fall from height	Serious injury or death	[H/M/L]	Scaff erected by licenced person, edge protection, full planking
4. Mixing Mortar / Cement	Cement dust, skin contact	Dermatitis, respiratory issues	[H/M/L]	PPE (gloves, long sleeves), P2 mask, wash stations
5. Cutting Bricks/Blocks	Silica dust, noise, vibration	Silicosis, hearing loss, HAVS	[H/M/L]	Wet cutting, dust extraction, P2 mask, ear muffs, breaks
6. Falling Objects	Tools, bricks, debris falling	Head injury, fatality	[H/M/L]	Toe boards, tool lanyards, exclusion zones below
7. Using Electrical Tools	Damaged cords, water	Electric shock	[H/M/L]	RCD safety switches, visual inspection, dry area
8. Working Near Traffic/Public	Public interaction, vehicles	Collision	[H/M/L]	Traffic management plan, bollards, signage

Step 3: Implementation of Control Measures

Hierarchy of Controls applied to key tasks:

1. Working at Heights

• Elimination: Prefabricate walls at ground level where possible.
• Substitution: Use scissor lifts instead of ladders.
• Isolation: Install guardrails (top, mid, toe boards) on scaffolding.
• Engineering: Use scaffold tag system to ensure integrity.
• Administrative: SWMS induction, only work in good weather.
• PPE: Safety helmet, non-slip safety boots.

2. Silica Dust (Cutting)

• Elimination: Order bricks/blocks to exact size to minimise cutting.
• Substitution: Use low silica materials if available.
• Isolation: Cut in designated ventilated area or away from workers.
• Engineering: Use on-tool water suppression or local exhaust ventilation.
• Administrative: Keep area wet, clean up with vacuum (H-class), do not dry sweep.
• PPE: Fit-tested P2 respirator or higher.

3. Manual Handling

• Elimination: Use bulk delivery systems.
• Substitution: Use lighter weight blocks (e.g., Hebel) where structural capacity allows.
• Isolation: Store materials close to work area to reduce travel distance.
• Engineering: Use brick saws, trolleys, pallet jacks, forklifts.
• Administrative: Job rotation, training in safe lifting techniques.
• PPE: Safety boots with good support, gloves.

Step 4: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Minimum PPE Required for all workers:

• High visibility clothing (Class D or N)
• Safety helmet (AS/NZS 1801)
• Safety boots (Steel toe/composite, AS/NZS 2210)
• Protective gloves (Cut resistant or specific for cement)
• Sun protection (Hat, sunscreen, long sleeve shirt)

Task Specific PPE:

• Eye protection (Safety glasses or goggles)
• Hearing protection (Class 5, AS/NZS 1270)
• Respiratory protection (P2/N95 for silica dust)
• Safety use and lanyard (if using travel restraint)
• Disposable overalls (for cutting/cleaning)

Step 5: Emergency Procedures

Incident Reporting: Contact Site Supervisor immediately on [SUPERVISOR PHONE].

First Aid: Location of First Aid Kit: [LOCATION] Location of Eyewash Station: [LOCATION] Nearest Hospital: [HOSPITAL NAME & ADDRESS]

Fire: Contact 000. Location of Fire Extinguishers: [LOCATIONS]. Assembly Point: [ADDRESS].

Step 6: Review and Monitoring

Review Triggers:

• Incident or near miss occurs.
• New equipment or machinery introduced.
• Changes to work environment or scope of works.
• A worker or health and safety representative requests a review.

Review Date: [DATE OR 'Prior to work commencing if scope changes']

Signatures

By signing below, I acknowledge I have read and understood this SWMS and will work in accordance with its controls.

Name	Role	Signature	Date
Worker Representative	[NAME]	[SIGN]	[DATE]
Principal Contractor/PCBU	[NAME]	[SIGN]	[DATE]
Worker 1	[NAME]	[SIGN]	[DATE]
Worker 2	[NAME]	[SIGN]	[DATE]
Worker 3	[NAME]	[SIGN]	[DATE]
Worker 4	[NAME]	[SIGN]	[DATE]

Keep this SWMS on site at all times while work is being carried out.