Balustrade Installation SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, installation, inspection and handover activities for balustrades. It supports work planning and risk management for open edges, access systems, materials handling, drilling dust, glass, falling objects and sealant exposure.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review the design and plan the work
• Establish the work area and manage public access
• Inspect access arrangements and fall controls
• Receive and unload balustrade materials
• Stage components safely
• Set out fixing locations
• Drill and prepare substrates
• Install posts and base shoes
• Install rails and glass panels
• Complete fixings and apply sealants
• Inspect and verify the installation
• Clean the area, remove waste and hand over

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out balustrade installation activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to eliminate or minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable and requirements for consultation, information, training, supervision and safe systems of work.
• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS regulations for construction work, high risk construction work, falls, plant, hazardous manual tasks, airborne contaminants, electrical risks and workplace facilities.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work (November 2024), as adopted or applied in the relevant jurisdiction; use for SWMS planning, coordination and construction-work controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces; use the hierarchy of controls, solid construction, safe access and fall-prevention measures.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace; use for service identification, isolation and electrical risk controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace; use for plant selection, inspection, exclusion zones and mobile-plant interaction controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks, as adopted or applied in the relevant jurisdiction.
• AS 1288 Glass in buildings—Selection and installation.
• AS 1170.1 Structural design actions—Permanent, imposed and other actions.
• AS 1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders—Design, construction and installation, where fixed access is provided.
• AS/NZS 1576 series Scaffolding and AS/NZS 4576 Guidelines for scaffolding.
• AS/NZS 1891 series Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices; AS/NZS 5532 Manufacturing requirements for single-point anchor devices.
• AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment.
• AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations—Construction and demolition sites, where applicable.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections